“How DARE You!? You believe you can stand as an equal to me!?”

  Before the figurine could think, she was struck across her face.

  The sound of the other figurine’s gasps rang out as she fell to the ground. Her resin face was still stinging from what he had just done. Some ran to her aid to ensure she was alright, while the others stood by the side of the one who struck her down.

  “Do you believe you can be more than just my arm candy?! A Useless little troll like you is barely enough to be the mother to my son in the sequel series! You want to go on your own? Go ahead, soon you will see that without me, you’re nothing! SEE WHERE THIS STUPID LITTLE JOURNEY OF YOURS TAKES YOU!”

  She stood up and put on a strong face, and walked away. The figurines that stood by her side followed suit. Each one gave a disapproving look to all the other figurines who stood by the aggressor’s side.

  One of them was ready to force the leaving to stay. But the aggressor signaled them to stop.

  “Let them go. Soon they’ll realize who’s the hero, and who’s the forgettable!”

  ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  Dorothy snapped awake ready to fight whoever took her and Mr. Honeybun. She immediately checked her surroundings, only to see they were inside some kind of old medieval-style dungeon. There were shackles to the wall, a wooden bench, and brick-and-mortar walls on all sides except for the iron bars. Upon further inspection, Dorothy noticed this was all for decoration and aesthetics. Heck, there wasn’t even a roof. Upon realizing there was no roof, she quickly deduced she was on the Laberynth’s & Legends side of the two battleboards.

  In hindsight, it was obvious to her that the dungeon was too small for her to fit inside. It was a normal dungeon for any of the miniatures on the table, but too small for her 11-inch tall body. She quickly stepped over the dungeon bars and noticed something in the dungeon across from hers—a mass of caramel-brown fluffy softness crammed into the small rectangular dungeon. It breathed as if it were snoring. Dorothy cautiously poked it, and it giggled in its sleep.

  Upon hearing that familiar giggle, Dorothy quickly realized it was Mr. Honeybun!

  Dorothy gently nudged Mr. Honeybun trying to wake him up, but he giggled in his sleep again. Dorothy rolled her eyes in minor annoyance. She quickly channeled her Wonder to her whole body to make her ‘Referee Dorothy’ outfit. Once the Wonder constructed whistle formed around her neck. She grabbed said whistle, took a deep breath, and blew hard.

  The ringing noise snapped Mr. Honeybun awake. He stood tall, ready to fight, but he quickly calmed down at the sight of Dorothy.

  As Dorothy’s outfit switched back to its original form, the teddy bear quickly grabbed her and embraced her like a child reuniting with their mother… if that child had the power to snap their mother in half, that is.

  “Oh! Miss Dorothy! I’m so happy you’re okay! I was so worried they were gonna unravel us both!” The teddy bear cried as he continued to give a vice-gripping hug.

  “I-I’m happy you’re okay too Honeybun! Can’t Breathe!” Dorothy gasped between breaths. If she had eyeballs instead of eyes painted onto her face, they would be popping out of their sockets now.

  Mr. Honeybun quickly releases Dorothy and sets her down.

  “All we gotta do is find Hank and get outta here. Got it?” Dorothy gently explained to the teddy bear.

  Mr. Honeybun gave a quick nod and climbed over the prison ars like hurdling a small fence. Before they could walk out of that section of the battle board, they heard someone shout.

  “ROLL FOR LEVITATION SUCCESS!”

  They hear the sound of resin skipping across the plastic surface they call the floor, landing right near Mr. Honeybun’s feet, was yet another 20-sided die! They both actively jumped away from the still-spinning dice. But in less than half a second, the dice lands on one side.

  Nat 3!

  A second passes and both the Doll and Teddybear realize they aren’t floating in the air at all. They both breathed a sigh of relief, Mr. Honeybun even giggling nervously.

  “ROLL FOR PARALYSIS SUCCESS!” That Voice shouted again as another die rolled down the hall of the dungeon.

  Nat 16!

  “...Oh shi-” Before Dorothy could finish her thought. She and Mr. Honeybun were completely paralyzed. The paralyzing effect surrounds their bodies through yellow lightning bolt symbols comprised of Wonder.

  The miniature knights all storm into the dungeon and collectively hoist the two up and carry them both out of the dungeon.

  Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun had tried to struggle and break free from the spell, but they could only move their eyes.

  “You struggle in vain outsiders! You have no stats, weapons, or armor that indicates you can stop paralysis! Now you will answer to our King!” The Wizard miniature shouted in an over-the-top dramatic fashion.

  As they exited the dungeon section of the L&L Battleboard, they moved from the dungeon to a modestly gaudy throne room fit for a king.

  A foot-tall statuette sat on the throne at the other end of the room. His chiseled and well-defined face was adorned with a black beard, and an eyepatch featuring a dragon emblem over his right eye. His other eye had a gold-yellow iris. Just looking directly into that eye gave Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun the impression that he meant business and would not hesitate to exercise his authority.

  He stood up from his throne, revealing he wore bulky, Silver armor with blue highlights, but it still had a regal aspect to it. On the chest plate of his armor, he sported the same dragon emblem.

  As he walked down the steps that led to his throne, his cheap fabric cape swayed in the nonexistent wind.

  “High Wizard, please un-paralyze the outsiders.” The King miniature politely commanded, a hint of regality in his voice.

  “Of course, sire! ROLLING FOR EFFECT!” Declared the Wizard miniature. He rolled his D20 Dice once again. After a brief spin, it landed on D17.

  The Lightning bolts symbolizing their status effect quickly vanished, and the dress-up doll and the teddy bear could move once more. They stood up, ready to fight, but the miniatures representing multiple classes raised their dice, prepared to roll to attack.

  The King miniature raised his hand to signal both sides to settle down. His miniature subjects lowered their dice, and Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun subsequently lowered their guards. The King continued.

  “I suppose you are entitled to some introductions, outsiders. You are in My Battleboard Kingdom and I rule this great Kingdom with a vinyl fist. I am King Augustus! Slayer of the Iron Dragon, Bane to the Battle of Whistly Woods, Ruler of the Kingdom of the Broken Crown, and one hundred and fifty dollar statuette!” He declared in an over-the-top grandiose manner.

  Mr. Honeybun saw the King’s energy and decided to match it. With a confident smirk. He then states “I am Mr. Honeybun! Defeater of the Scary Claw Machine, Fighter of pixel pentominoes, and Guardian of my Abby’s Good Dreams!” With each title, the teddy bear gave a dynamic pose. All the surrounding miniatures murmured in approval.

  Dorothy gave a warm smile at Mr. Honeybun’s demeanor, it reminded her of all the excited little girls who walked by the toy store back when she was still a storefront toy, a feeling she missed and wanted back every single day.

  But her nostalgia was interrupted when she noticed that King Augustus, the surrounding miniatures, and Mr. Honeybun were all waiting for her to introduce herself. She cleared her metaphorical throat and began to state her titles.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “I am Dolly Dorothy! Record Setter of Doughboy Jack’s Gut Check Challenge, Long time apprentice to Greenbolt, and Best Selling toy from 2001 to 2003!” She gave an awkward pose for each title she gave herself.

  …The following silence was deafening. It was cut short when the surrounding miniatures had murmurers of confusion and fascination.

  King Augustus took notice of Dorothy and inquired.

  “If you don’t mind me asking Lady Dorothy. What form of figure are you supposed to be? You look nothing like me or my comrades in arms. Nor do you look like any of the ‘Annah Mae’ figurines.”

  This sudden question took Dorothy aback, but she said, “I’m not a miniature or an anime figurine. I’m a toy, a dress-up doll, to be exact.” Dorothy explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

  King Augustus took a sigh of relief at hearing Dorothy’s explanation.

  “Ah, excellent. The Loyalties of those rouge figurines are very questionable. Some of them even faded to the side of the Arcadian loose in our home.” The King explained as he pointed to the shelves behind the counter. As Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun observed the shelves, there was one shelf separate from the rest of them. Taped to the edge of that shelf was a piece of Scrap Paper marked ‘New Arrivals.’

  On that new Arrivals shelf, featured anime figurines from a new, Up and coming anime series. At the bottom of each of the Figuine’s packaging, they all came from an anime series titled: Abracadabra Acedamia!: The Classic Collection!

  But on the display shelf right above that one, the shelves were empty.

  Dorothy looks at Mr. Honeybun and signals him to play along. The brainwashing that Mr. Given mentioned earlier must've been so bad that they aren’t even aware of being brainwashed.

  “Can I ask your King-ly-ness, But why are you fighting the other minis? Can’t you all get along? Cause you live in the same store?” Mr. Honeybun questioned with his signature childlike manner.

  The surrounding miniatures all gave a hardy chuckle at the teddy bear’s suggestion. King Augustus raised his hand once again. The Miniatures stayed quiet again.

  “You are outsiders, So I will explain.” The King cleared his metaphorical throat and continued. “When we first arrived in this land two months ago, it was understood from the very beginning that we were supposed to be enemies. Those who desire to purchase our expansions constantly debate who is the superior Tabletop game. But I know deep down in my heart my domain is superior, especially since those Trek Wars ripoffs had stolen the sacred treasure deemed the Spark of Wonder!” The King contemptuously concluded.

  Dorothy quickly remembered that the Spearhead 10K Miniatures took Hank! With this new sense of urgency, Dorothy knew she could kill two birds with one stone by playing along with them.

  “We’re here on a miss- Quest! A quest from the Founder himself. Me, Mr. Honeybun, and our friend Handyman Hank are on a mission to collect all seven of the Sparks of Wonder. If it’s true that they stole it, then maybe we can help each other out?” The dress-up doll suggested.

  The surrounding miniatures raised their dice once again. The audacity of these outsiders demanding this store’s sacred treasure was just so…insulting. But King Augustus raised his hand a third time to signal the lowering of their guard.

  “I know of only one reason to give up the Spark of Wonder, and that is to wage war on the Arcadians as a whole finally, so says the game boards before us.” The king miniature stood straight and pounded his chest once. In a salute to the ones before him, the surrounding miniatures did the same right after.

  “If you help us defeat the Spearhead 10K Miniatures, then perhaps we could negotiate a deal of you procuring the Spark of Wonder. Do we have a deal?” The King extends his hand out, ready to seal the deal.

  Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun looked at one another and weighed the pros and cons of this whole situation. On one hand, they’re assisting in a civil war that could lead to the closing of Critical Quest. But on the other hand, they can save Hank and gain the Spark of Wonder. Can the sacrifice be worth it?

  But before Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun could give their answer to the deal, the door leading to Critical Quest’s stockroom unlocked.

  Every miniature, anime figurine, and even Funky Figure stopped what they were doing to see this happen. The door opened for the hooded anime figurines and Foundation Frank to walk out. The anime figurine standing next to Frank wore an all-purple hooded cloak while the others behind wore all red. The purple hooded figurines were pushing a small skateboard from the stockroom to the main sales floor. On top of this skateboard was an old-school Redtendo MS. Complete with faded stickers of the recognized Redtendo characters such as Ultra Macro, Herbie, & Digichu.

  The handheld console opened, and the additional screens on the top, left, and right folded out as well. The Redtendo Logo flashed on all four of the top screens, then a series of other game companies.

  Oedipus Interactive Studios!

  Redtendo of America!

  Last Token Inc.

  Powered by Oxide Engine

  Then Finally, the game’s title flashed onto the screen:

  DJ Vortexx: Smooth Grooves!

  Bursting right out of the handheld console's screens and floating in midair was a cartoony-looking arcadian, wearing a reflective silver helmet obscuring his head with a purple visor on the front for his eyes. The Arcadian DJ also sported a purple winter coat with black track pants and sneakers. But his most distinctive aspect was his Gold V-shaped medallion around his neck.

  He raises his arm and his signature turntables appear before him, followed by the Redtendo MS stylus floating towards his other hand. He gave his turntables a good scratch before giving a hardy laugh.

  DJ Vortexx dropped the bass, knocking all of the miniatures to their knees except for Dorothy and Mr. Honeybun, and on the other side of the battleboard, Hank too. DJ Vortexx took notice of this and with another scratch of his turntables, they all started to float in mid-air towards the Arcadian DJ.

  Frank and the Purple hooded anime figurine stood forward too.

  “That’s right Sensei Vortexx. These three are in the way of absolute victory.” The purple hooded anime figurine sinisterly declared with a slight Japanese accent.

  Hank took a moment to look at Dorothy and Mister Honeybun, he was relieved that the both of them were alright. Then he turned towards Frank and said “Frank! How could you work for the Arcadians?! How could all of you anna-mee figurines work for them!? He asked, genuinely trying to understand.

  Frank twiddled his bicep-shaped mustache and simply retorted “How in this mall could you and your friends have such narrow tunnel vision to what is happening here? Tell us, which side does the Spark of wonder remain on?”

  “The King/Commander said that the other side has it!” Hank, Dorothy, and Mr. Honeybun all declared in perfect unison. They look at one another in a state of bewilderment. They were all so sure that the other side had the Spark of Wonder.

  “Here’s the problem! These Miniatures lack communication! So much so they don’t even know where the sacred treasure of great power is supposed to be! They are supposed to be guarding over it and failed miserably! That is why DJ Vortexx will take it for himself!” The Purple hooded anime figurine proclaimed as walked on.

  That proclamation confused the Wonderkeepers in secret, why on earth is she saying the Miniatures are watching over it when Mr. Given said he was in charge?

  “If you all want true peace inside this store, they ALL need to fall in line before it’s too late! Now, If you want to do this, we challenge you to a Vortexx Party!” Foundation Frank demanded.

  Shouted DJ Vortexx as he scratched once again.

  The Purple hooded anime figurine removed her hood with an overdramatic flourish, revealing she was a dark purple-haired figurine wearing a white samurai hakama with a wolf emblem on the back. Her eyes were a sharp piercing green with a small scar across her face. Clipped to her sides were twin katana blade accessories sheathed.

  Hank was confused, was he supposed to give an awesome introduction too?

  Mr. Honeybun was starstruck, that was hands down the coolest thing he had ever seen.

  Dorothy was honestly unimpressed, all that just to reveal she too was an anime figurine.

  “If we win, we execute the two Battleboard leaders. AND you leave.” Frank slowly declared, laying down the terms. DJ Vortexx raised his hand again and both Commander Aurora and King Augustus got raised upwards and tossed towards the red hooded anime figurines. They quickly detained them and raised blades towards their necks.

  The three fully understood the gravity of the situation they were in, it was there they had to state their demands for the wager.

  “Fine, but if we win. You let them go, and you leave and never return!” Hank demanded.

  DJ Vortexx, Foundation Frank, the samurai figurine, and the rest look at one another and agree to the terms.

  DJ Vortexx set cut his turntables again and a board akin to a giant board game appeared before them. He pulled out a single cartoony-looking die and smiled sinisterly.

  He threw the die, this game had only just begun.