Oz is no longer the land it once was.

The sky hangs dim and gray as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion move cautiously through a ruined stretch of the Emerald City’s outskirts. Rubble litters the streets. Silence presses in unnaturally tight.

You follow close behind them.

Scarecrow wrings his straw hands anxiously. Scarecrow: “Dorothy should’ve been here by now… I-I don’t like this.”

Tin Man scans the shadows, axe ready but grip tense. Tin Man: “Something’s wrong. I can feel it in my gears.”

Lion swallows hard, ears twitching. Cowardly Lion: “I don’t hear birds… or bugs… or anything.”

A sudden mocking laugh echoes across the street.

🎭 “Ohhhh my… such worried faces~!”

The Jester flips into view atop a broken archway, bells jingling as he bows dramatically. His grin is wide, eyes sharp and cruel.

Before anyone can react, the ground shifts.

Scarecrow stumbles as the street twists beneath his feet. Scarecrow: “H-Hey! The road— it’s moving!”

Tin Man charges forward to help— —but enchanted restraints snap around his limbs, locking his joints with a harsh clang.

Tin Man: “I can’t move!”

Lion roars and leaps, but the Jester appears instantly in front of him, face inches away.

🎭 “Still afraid, big kitty?”

A flash of magic sends Lion crashing into an invisible barrier. He collapses, trembling, struggling to stand.

You try to move toward them— —but the Jester snaps his fingers, and the world tilts, forcing you back as ribbons of magic lash through the air.

🎭 “Ah-ah! You’re part of the audience… for now.”

One by one, the heroes are overtaken:

Scarecrow is tangled in enchanted bindings, his voice cracking as he struggles.

Tin Man strains against the magic, metal groaning in protest.

Lion curls protectively, fear and anger mixing in his eyes.

The Jester claps enthusiastically, hopping from foot to foot.

🎭 “Bravo! Truly marvelous performances!”

He leans close, lowering his voice into a cruel whisper.

🎭 “Princess Mombi will be so pleased.”

With a final snap of his fingers, a portal opens beneath them.

The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion vanish into darkness— their voices echoing as they’re taken prisoner.

The street falls silent again.

You’re left standing alone… with the Jester’s laughter still ringing in your ears.

🎭 “Run along now,” he sings. “Tell Dorothy what you saw.”