(The Meeting)

*January 17th, 1907*

*Quadling Country*

Everyone sat in the meeting room, enjoying the refreshments provided by Glinda's attendants as they discussed the current events regarding Zorya.

"So, does Zorya have an army that the people of Quadling should be concerned about? If so, my army would be of great use to fend them off." Glinda asked Dorothy and the others while taking a sip of tea from her cup, waiting for her answer.

"No, it's mostly her and Alice but Flynn and Betsy fought other people who were servants of Alice while I was at Winkie Country." Dorothy responded formally while Glinda nodded as she listened to her words.

Soon after, Glinda looked down to see a sword in Dorothy's sheath, piquing her interest.

"I see, I've also been noticing the sword that you have on you, could you explain to me where and how you acquired it, Dorothy?" Glinda asked Dorothy with great interest in her voice as she waited for an answer.

"It's a sword given to me by Rose. It's said to be quite useful for when we eventually have to face off against Zorya. In short, only those worthy can wield it." Dorothy responded as she explained the sword to her.

Glinda nodded understandably as she took another sip of tea from her cup.

"Ah, so it seems this sword or to simply call it, the Ix Sword has deemed you worthy. I've always had a striking feeling that such a fine weapon crafted by Rose shall fall into your hands." Glinda spoke once more to Dorothy in a proud yet calm voice as she smiled at her, making Dorothy smile back.

Rose heard those words and felt accomplished for her students as she began to speak up.

"I've also trained Dorothy for a few days as well. She's much stronger than when she fought Dion a couple of months back, I feel she's ready to take down Zorya." Rose spoke to Glinda with a proud expression on her face while she also looked at Dorothy, giving her a proud look.

"I must agree, Dorothy is vastly superior to Dion compared to her last battle, it's such an impressive achievement." Glinda spoke to Rose once more, taking another sip of tea from her cup.

During her sip, Glinda thought about the moment when Dion absorbed Lee-Ow-Oh and the Chief of the Whimsies and how it ultimately led to his downfall.

"Dorothy, remember when Dion absorbed Lee-Ow-Oh and the Whimsie Chief, becoming powerful in the process?" Glinda asked Dorothy in a serious voice as she waited for an answer.

Dorothy nodded as she began to answer the question.

"Yes, Dion became much stronger, his fur turned white, similar to Lee-Ow-Oh; however, this led to his downfall since he couldn't handle that much power, he also tried to kill himself and those innocent people back at San Francisco." Dorothy responded to Glinda as she recalled her previous battle.

"Good, I'm going to give you some small advice, and that advice is to not allow Zorya to combine her power and skills with anyone, okay? I've watched over her through my Great Book of Records and she seems to be the desperate type." Glinda advised Dorothy in a serious voice that was met with Dorothy nodding understandably.

"Got it, I will ensure that we'll stop Zorya's plans before something of the sort happens." Dorothy responded with determination as Glinda smiled.

Soon after, Glinda rose from her seat and she walked over toward the window to take a good look at her country.

"I remember when you were just a little girl who wanted to head back home to see her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, but now you're growing to be a fine young lady who's willing to protect her friends. The progress you've made is fascinating." Glinda spoke to Dorothy once more in a calm, proud voice as she continued to stare out the window.

The comment made Dorothy smile as she began to thank Glinda for those words.

"Thank you, If it wasn't for people like Omby Amby, Rose, and the rest of my friends, I wouldn't be the person that I am today so this means a lot, Glinda." Dorothy responded in a warm voice as looked at her.

During this, Keiko began to open her mouth to ask Glinda a question regarding Alice and the Great Book of Records.

"Your Majesty, may I ask you a question regarding some things I've been thinking about?" Keiko asked Glinda as she waited for a response from her.

Hearing the question made Glinda turn around to face Keiko her expression became intrigued.

"Of course, ask away, Keiko." Glinda responded while looking over at Keiko.

"Could you perhaps have an answer on if Alice is from Dorothy's world? I recall Betsy speaking to me and Flynn on how the people she made them fight were ripped from a book called Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Keiko asked Glinda before taking a sip of tea from her cup.

The question made Glinda's expression more intrigued as slowly walked over to take a seat in her chair.

"That book doesn't exist in Oz nor its neighboring countries. It's a book that only exists in Dorothy's world so it's only logical that she's from Dorothy's world.." Glinda responded while this surprised everyone in the room.

"Alice might be from me and Dorothy's world? I mean, it does explain her obsession with the novel but how in the world did she end up in the Kingdom of Ix or the Land of Oz? Nobody can cross the Deadly Desert or the oceans without some help.." Betsy spoke in a surprised voice as she pondered on how Alice could have ended up in Oz or Ix.

"I believe Zorya recruited her. I don't know but she must have probably found…wait! The book of records!" Flynn spoke out in revelation while he looked over at Glinda, hoping that she'd provide some answers from the Great Book of Records.

"Your majesty, is it possible to go back in time in a sense through the book, to see events in the past? Perhaps we could find our answers there." Flynn asked Glinda in a formal voice as he waited for his answer in regards to the topic.

Hearing the question made Glinda shake her head in denial before answering his question.

"I'm afraid not. The Great Book of Records is always moving forward, meaning you can't go back and see a past event. Even so, traveling through the past or future is quite a taboo thing, especially if it falls into the wrong hands." Glinda responded in a serious voice, looking at Flynn and the others.

Of course, the response made Flynn nod understandably as he spoke once more.

"I understand, thank you for the answer, your majesty." Flynn responded in an understanding voice.

For the next few seconds, Flynn sat in silence before standing up, catching the attention of everyone.

"Flynn, anything okay?" Dorothy asked her friend in a concerned voice as she was met with the boy nodding his head in confirmation.

"I'm okay, It's just I think it's time for me to tell everyone about me and my sister, the story of how me and Zorya went our separate ways.." Flynn responded in a calm yet serious voice as he took a deep breath, preparing to tell his story.

During this, Keiko sat up with an intrigued look on her face, knowing what was to come.

"So, he's finally going to tell everyone how Zorya ended up the way she is.." Keiko thought to herself as she was ready to listen to the story once more.

*Gillikin Country*

Meanwhile in the Northern country, Alice and Enzo were walking in a purple-covered forest in hopes of searching for the Sword of Gillikin, and along the way, Alice noticed what appeared to be remains of a blue brick road.

"Enzo, come look at this. It appears to be the remains of a former blue brick road, perhaps it could lead us to the sword." Alice spoke to Enzo while motioning her hand for her comrade to come over, her expression being determined.

Enzo quickly came to Alice's side, kneeling next to her as he observed the remains of the road.

"Seems to be a path but it's hard to determine its direction cause I don't seem to see more of this blue path." Enzo responded to Alice's call while he gently touched the old blue stone.

"I see, well, It seems I have to call on a good friend to show us the path. I didn't want to do this since he wants something in exchange.." Alice spoke once more to Enzo as this brought an intrigued look on his face.

After saying those words, Alice pulled out her sword from her sheath, holding it high in the air.

"Swody, I summon Caterpillar! Please send him here at once!" Alice commanded her sword, waiting for the results.

Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light appeared and there stood a 3-inch Caterpillar sitting on top of a giant mushroom, smoking a hookah.

"Who… are…you?" The Caterpillar spoke in a languid voice, blowing smoke toward Alice and Enzo's faces with each word.

The smoke caused Alice and Enzo to cough as Alice appeared to give him an annoyed look on her face.

"You know who I am, Caterpillar. I need your knowledge to help us locate the Sword of Gillikin." Alice responded with annoyance in her voice while she cleared the smoke with her hands.

The response made the Caterpillar's eyebrows light up as he quickly responded to her.

"I'm aware of who you are, Alice. I was referring to your little friend." Caterpillar responded in the same languid voice, pointing his hookah at Enzo.

Alice looked over at Enzo before shaking her head with a chuckle.

"He's not my friend. He's just someone I work with, but that's not important, tell me where that sword is, I'm willing to pay whatever." Alice responded impatiently while she crossed her arms, waiting for a response.

"How about ten years of your life?" Caterpillar responded instantly. Enzo watched everything as he wondered if the Caterpillar was going to be of use to them.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Alice.." Enzo thought to himself as he continued to watch the events unfold.

Will Alice succumb to such a deal to gain the Sword of Gillikin?!