(Prelude to the Tournament)

*July 22nd, 1906*

*Emerald Palace*

It was a beautiful night while Dorothy was still asleep in her bed while Ozma and Kiki were chatting amongst each other in the room that they were sharing.

"Dorothy's been asleep for nearly a week. How is that even possible.." Kiki curiously asked Ozma while looking over to see her friend sleeping peacefully before turning back to face Ozma.

"I'm wondering that as well, and I believe that her body is exhausted. She's been training for a year; however, it's only been a day for us, meaning that her body is recovering from her experience. I hope she can wake up soon.." Ozma responded with concern before getting up from her chair to head for the door.

"Let's take a walk, shall we? We can continue our conversation while Dorothy continues to sleep, okay?" Ozma advised Kiki with a smile while the girl nodded before getting up to follow her friend.

After this, Ozma and Kiki exited the room and began walking the corridors of the Emerald Palace.

"Ozma, what happened to the armies that the Nome King brought? I remember you've separated them, right? Are they still out there…" Kiki asked Ozma in a curious voice while she was met with Ozma shaking her head in denial.

"No, I've sent them back to their respective territories including Nome King himself so we don't have to worry about them anymore, and besides, Nome King lost his memory and it would take a few weeks for him to recover anyways," Ozma responded while she and Kiki continued to walk the corridors.

"I see, and how's Polychrome? Is she still at the hospital wing?" Kiki asked Ozma once more as her question was met with Ozma nodding in confirmation.

"She is, but she's doing much better now. She should be good to go for tomorrow." Ozma responded and this made Kiki smile with relief as she spoke again.

"I'm glad to hear that.." Kiki responded while Ozma smiled back as the girls continued their walk.

The girls continued to walk before entering another corridor and soon, Ozma began to speak.

"I've been meaning to ask you something. How long have you known Glinda, and Why is Glinda set on you becoming her successor? It's uncommon for any witch to step down from their duties, so I'm curious to know why.." Ozma curiously asked her friend while the beautiful moon illuminated the corridor.

This question caught Kiki off guard; however, she managed to come up with a response as she was in the dark as well.

"I don't know if I'm being honest; however, all I know is that Glinda is hoping that I become the next Good Witch of the South, but I also owe it to Glinda for raising me. If it wasn't for her then I wouldn't even be here today.." Kiki responded with a faint smile while Ozma smiled back before nodding understandably.

"I see, and I'm glad Glinda raised you, I heard most of the Quadlings that serve her are around your age, right? So I believe most are orphans like you, correct?" Ozma curiously asked Kiki while Kiki shook her head in denial before providing an answer to the statement.

"Not really, In short, some of them were willing to step up while some were kids Glinda found during her early years which she raised to be her bodyguards. I was one of those orphans she found." Kiki responded while Ozma nodded understandingly.

"I see, and as long as you're happy then It's all good to me." Ozma responded once more with another smile while Kiki nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, that's why I hope to protect my loved ones. If I'm going to become the Good Witch of the South then I can't be weak, especially since Glinda is the reason why I'm even here in the first place." Kiki responded in a motivated voice while Ozma was pleased to hear those words.

After this, Ozma and Kiki continued to walk and chat amongst themselves until they eventually went to bed.

For the next few days, Our heroes trained for the arrival of the tournament, and of course, Dorothy was still sleeping, and finally, It was the day of the tournament!

*July 26th, 1906*

*Topeka, Kansas*

The day of the tournament finally arrived and Dion stood outside in his arena, waiting for participants.

"It's finally time. I can't wait to see what fools shall oppose me.." Dion spoke quietly to himself while continuing to stand in silence.

The silence lasted a few moments until it was interrupted by the sound of someone arriving, and it was Azure, the man who fought and lost against Dion.

"Ah, so you've survived after all, did you come here to lose again? I've never expected you to show your ugly face again.." Dion greeted Azure in a mocking voice while the Munchkin didn't laugh.

"I did, and I shall be the one to defeat you, just you wait and see." Azure responded seriously while Dion laughed.

"What a foolish response, but I shall entertain your game for a little while.." Dion responded in a smug voice before closing his eyes once more while Azure wasn't in the mood for those types of remarks.

"Just you wait and see.." Azure thought to himself before sitting down on the floor as he waited for the tournament to start.

During the conversation, two people appeared to be watching from afar, their names were Emily and Jack. Emily was twenty years old, wore glasses, had blue eyes, and had short blonde hair.

Jack was twenty as well, and he had short black hair and brown eyes.

"Um, are you sure this is safe…I had to leave my family behind just to watch you.." Jack asked his friend with hesitation in his voice while Emily shrugged it off.

"I'm positive and besides, who else is going to provide updates to those who might listen on the radio, it's going to be this cute gal!" Emily responded with a smile before running over to get closer to the arena while Jack followed her.

"W-Wait for me, and you're committing a dangerous act.." Jack responded while following his friend to the arena.

Dion noticed the pair before smirking at what he had just seen.

"It seems these fools want to broadcast this event, I'll help them.." Dion thought to himself before snapping his fingers as suddenly, a small piece of radio equipment appeared from thin air.

"I'm lucky to have Ozma's DNA within me to create such marvelous things.." Dion thought to himself once more while continuing to watch the events unfold.

Soon after, Emily and Jack stumbled upon the equipment which brought a smile to Emily's face.

"Perfect! Just what I need.." Emily excitedly spoke to herself before sitting down to set up the equipment while Jack sat down next to her.

Dion watched the two humans setting up the broadcast with a smirk; however, this was interrupted by the creature picking up strong energy.

"They're here.." Dion spoke to himself with a smile before looking up to the sky to see everyone finally arriving.

The gang finally arrived which consisted of Ozma, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Polychrome, Betsy, Zeb, Lion, Omby Amby, Kiki, and Dorothy, who were still sleeping...

Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion all looked around their surroundings as they were amazed at what they saw.

"So this is Dorothy's world, eh? Doesn't look too bad, right?" Scarecrow spoke to his friends in a tone of wonder while Tin Woodman and Lion nodded in agreement.

"I agree, Kansas doesn't look too bad." Lion responded with a smile while he and his friends continued to watch the events unfold.

"We're here, Dion! Just as promised, now let's get this over with.." Ozma greeted Dion in a serious voice while preparing herself for battle.

"Someone's in a rush, I could use a good warm-up, but I did want to fight Dorothy; however, it seems she's asleep.." Dion responded in a cocky manner while Ozma remained serious.

During this, Emily finally got everything working thus broadcasting her voice across every radio station that was tuned in.

"H-Hello everyone? Can y'all hear me if so, I'm Emily Anderson! I'll be your commentator for today!" Emily spoke on the microphone in a boastful voice, and of course, her voice was heard throughout every radio across the globe.

"Say, let's get the stuff set up, shall we, but how exactly is everyone going to watch this?" Betsy spoke to Kiki and Zeb while Kiki quickly came up with an idea.

"I have something, and it would require some help.." Kiki responded while looking over at Emily and Jack, and soon after, the pair made their way to confront them.

During this, Ozma quickly stood up in the arena; however, a sleeping Dorothy began to speak.

"Ozma..save energy..just in case.." Dorothy advised Ozma in a sleepy voice before turning around to continue sleeping.

"I'm sorry Dorothy, I have to decline your advice…Dion! It's time to.." Ozma responded in a serious voice; however, she was cut off by a loud sound which made her turn around.

What Ozma saw was a huge Mack Truck approaching the arena, carrying a bunch of quirky fighters, and one of them popped out from the window.

"Dion, you're going down!" One of the muscle fighters called out before giving them a thumbs down.

"O-Oh god.." Ozma uttered while having an expression of embarrassment on her face.

*The tournament is finally underway; however, it seems is taking a small detour*