(Gathering the Invites)
*June 20th, 1906*
*Kansas*
Dorothy and Betsy finally arrived at their destination as the girls opened the door.
"Mother, father. I'm home! I also have a guest as well! Her name is Dorothy Gale. I'm sure all of you have met her before, but it does bring me to my next point.." Betsy called out while walking around her home, with Dorothy following her along as both girls were confused about the whereabouts of her parents.
"Perhaps your parents went out too? Indeed, they left a note in the kitchen or something, and if so, let's find it before we depart for San Francisco to pick up Zeb '' Dorothy advised her friend while continuing to follow her into the kitchen.
The letter from Betsy's parents gently sat on the kitchen table and piqued Betsy's interest as she picked it up.
"Dear Betsy. We'll be out for a few hours, so you have the entire house. There is food in the pantry. If you're feeling lonely, you can always walk to Dorothy's home; love Mrs and Mrs. Bobbin." Betsy read while putting the letter down and turning around to face her friend, this time with a smile on her face.
"Well, I guess my parents are out again, so let's get going! I know you don't want to be late in getting Zeb; however, how will we get to San Francisco? Doesn't Ozma need the magic mirror or your mirrors, as you recalled?" Betsy spoke to Dorothy with curiosity while Dorothy shook her head in denial before speaking again.
"Oh no, as long as I call upon Ozma by using any type of mirror, regardless of it being in another location. Ozma will surely hear my call. That's what Ozma's magic mirror is for." Dorothy responded with a smile before walking over to a mirror that was standing next to her while Betsy smiled back.
"I see. It's fascinating, and at least you can keep in touch with Ozma occasionally. I had a few friends who had to move to different states. I wish I could talk to them from the comforts of my home" Betsy responded once more to Dorothy before following her friend to the mirror she was standing in front of.
"That would be wonderful if that were to happen. Who knows, you might reencounter them in the future, that I believe in," Dorothy spoke to Betsy again while letting out a comforting smile, which made Betsy smile back.
"Ozma! We're ready to head to the Hudgson Ranch! I managed to convince Betsy to come to your party, so we're ready to head to San Francisco now" Dorothy called to the mirror, and after a few seconds, Ozma appeared from the other side, smiling at her friends.
"Hello, Betsy. How have things been going for you? It's been a while since we've seen each other, hasn't it?" Ozma greeted Betsy, waving at her while Betsy waved back, smiling at her.
"Ozma, It's great to see you again. I have been doing great. I see that your birthday is coming up, right? I wish I knew in advance so I could get you a present or something, so my apologies," Betsy responded with a slight chuckle at the last part of her statement while Ozma shook her head before speaking again.
"It's okay. Your presence is the only gift I need from you, so please don't beat yourself up too hard or anything, okay?" Ozma advised Betsy in a gentle voice while Betsy nodded in an understanding way.
"Hello, Ozma. I've got Betsy so you can send us to Zeb's ranch. Thank you so much for allowing me to invite my friend and cousin. I appreciate it so much," Dorothy appreciatively said to Ozma while her friend smiled back.
"Hello, Dorothy. I'm glad Betsy can join us, and I shall send you both to San Francisco right away." Ozma responded to Dorothy while she clicked her heels three times, beginning to speak again.
"Silver Shoes! I command you to take Dorothy and Betsy to Zeb's ranch in San Francisco!" Ozma commanded her silver shoes as a brilliant flash of light consumed Dorothy and Betsy before sending them off to the Hudgson Ranch so they could pick up Zeb.
"Hugson Ranch*
Dorothy and Betsy appeared in front of the ranch, and there, the girls saw Zeb sleeping on a tree, mirroring their first encounter with the boy from their last adventure.
"Look at my cousin. Sleeping like that. I hope he's taking a break or something, but let's see if he's going to wake up," Dorothy said to Betsy as both girls slowly walked toward the tree where Zeb was sleeping, and suddenly, the boy slowly began to wake up.
"Look, Dorothy. I believe Zeb is waking up; I hope he doesn't get spooked by us," Betsy whispered to Dorothy while looking back to see Zeb slowly waking up.
Zeb slowly sat up on the tree, rubbing his eyes until he saw Dorothy and Betsy, which surprised him as he jumped.
"H-Huh?! C-Cousin?! Betsy?! What in the world are you two doing here?! I wasn't expecting any visitors anytime soon, but either way, it's good to see all of you," Zeb said in surprise and shock while waving at the girls getting up.
"Hey, Cousin Zeb. How have things been going for you? I wanted to know if you want to attend Ozma's birthday party tomorrow? We'll be spending the night in Oz, and don't worry, Ozma will be providing pajamas and other important things." Dorothy offered her cousin as this surprised Zeb, and he quickly got up from the tree before giving her an answer.
"T-Things have been mighty good, and Sure, I just hope we don't end up in another adventure like last time because I don't want to deal with those Mangaboos again, that I don't.." Zeb responded, accepting the offer in hand while scratching his head.
"Wonderful! Betsy is also coming, which will be great, but do you have a mirror so we can contact Ozma and let her know we're ready?" Dorothy asked Zeb curiously, and luckily, Zeb nodded his head before pulling out a small mirror from his pocket.
"It's not big or anything, but at least it's something, right?" Zeb responded while handing her the small mirror.
"It's perfect. All I need to do next is call upon Ozma, and we should be good to go," Dorothy said again to her cousin. Dorothy, Zeb, and Betsy stood beside each other, ready to head to Oz again.
"So, Zeb. How were things at the ranch? Have you been working hard?" Betsy asked Zeb while the young boy nodded before responding to the question.
"Of course, I've been helping my uncle around, but overall, things have been great for me; I hope for the same as well, Betsy," Zeb responded kindly while Betsy smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad to hear. Things have been great for me as well. I've been taking care of my mule, Hank, and my parents, but I've been great," Betsy responded to her friend, smiling at him, which made Zeb smile back.
"Ozma! We're ready to head back to the Emerald City! I've got Zeb and Betsy with me." Dorothy called out to the mirror in hopes of Ozma hearing their call, and luckily, Ozma did as a brilliant flash of light consumed the trio before sending them to the Emerald City.
*Emerald Palace*
Dorothy, Betsy, and Zeb appeared to land safely in the Emerald Palace, making the trio smile.
"We did it! We made it! How does it feel to be back in Oz? Isn't it just great?" Dorothy asked her friends excitedly, walking across the palace with Betsy and Zeb following along.
"It honestly feels great. Despite spending most of my time in a hospital after the Aurora situation, I missed being here. However, it still feels like home," Betsy responded while walking across the palace. Zeb nodded in agreement.
"I'm with you; however, I don't want to go on crazy adventures this time. I almost died the last time," Zeb spoke as well, with a hint of worry; however, he remembered the times he saved Dorothy from their last adventure, which made him smile.
The trio continued walking until they entered the next room, which was the foyer. Lion and Hungry Tiger sat on the floor, and Dorothy was overjoyed seeing her two friends.
"Lion, Hungry Tiger! Oh, I'm so glad to see you guys; how have things been?" Dorothy joyfully spoke to her two feline friends and hugged them warmly.
"We most certainly have been doing well, Dorothy. It's great to see you again, and I see you've brought Betsy and Zeb as well. It's nice to see them." Lion responded kindly while smiling at them.
"I just hope there will be fat babies at Ozma's celebration, but I can't eat fat babies.." Hungry Tiger spoke out, making Dorothy and the others laugh for a bit, making the feline creature chuckle with a blush.
"Oh, you're still on that; I'm sure Ozma will feed you something that could taste like something of a fat baby or something like that, but moving on, I'm glad to see my friends again. It makes me happy." Dorothy responded while joyful that she was talking to her loved ones again.
"I agree with Dorothy. It brings a nice feeling, but let's head to the garden; I believe the rest of your friends are waiting. A rainbow girl named Polychrome is eager to meet your friend and cousin, so we don't want to keep her waiting." Lion advised Dorothy and the others while everyone nodded.
"Sounds great, and I'll introduce my friends to her once we encounter her," Dorothy responded before speaking to Betsy and Zeb.
"Oh yeah, I also have other friends to introduce you all to, so let's head out and meet them, shall we?" Dorothy spoke out again, but this time to Betsy and Zeb, who smiled back and were eager to meet her new friends.
The gang approached the door and walked across the palace until finally entering the Emerald Garden, where Polychrome, Button-Bright, Shaggy Man, and the others stood.
"Alright, let's prepare for Ozma's birthday party tomorrow!" Dorothy exclaimed excitedly while jumping with excitement as she was looking forward to the big event that was going to happen tomorrow.