Return to Oz (DISCONTINUED)

Of Witches and Wizards

 I woke up a while later inside a large room somewhere. I was much more alert now after a good rest.

"Dorothy!" Scarecrow shouted from across the room while he ran towards me.

"Scarecrow!" I yelled happily, realizing that it wasn't a dream which filled me with both joy and dread.

"You're awake." he stated the obvious, holding both of my hands in both of his which forced me to smile. I couldn't help it. I liked him alot and there was no hiding now.

I giggled. "Yes, I'm happy to see you Scarecrow."

"Do you, uh... Remember anything? From when you first got here, that is?" he said, blushing.

I couldn't lie to him. I didn't really see the point in it, anyway. "Yes. I know that I kissed your cheek and told you I love you."

"Is it... true?" he asked, his blush deepening.

"Y-yes..." I stuttered, blushing even more than Scarecrow.

He looked into my eyes and I realized that he felt it too. His eyes told me that he'd been longing for my return even before the witch of the south became wicked.

"I love you, too, Dorothy. I didn't know what love was until I got my brain but now I know that I've always felt it towards you. Ever since you let me come along with you to the Emerald City. I love you, Dorothy Gale of Kansas."

A huge smile split across my face. "I love you, too, Mr. Scarecrow of Oz."

I heard a distinguished "awww" followed by a sob. Scarecrow turned around and opened the door. Tinman and Lion tumbled out but the Tinman had rusted himself. Typical Tinman. Scarecrow grabbed the nearest oil can and made him able to move again.

"Tinman! Lion! It doesn't do to spy on others!" I scolded them.

"Sorry, Dorothy." the two of them said simultaneously, making their way to their feet.

"It's all right, now, you had just better not do it again. It's quite rude."

"Yes, Dorothy." they said, ashamed of themselves as their heads drooped like wilting flowers.

"Oh, do chin up," I said, feeling slightly guilty. "You mustn't feel too bad. I'm not angry with you. Come here, you two, don't be upset."

As they started to walk toward me, a cloud of dark purple smoke erupted and a forced, amateur cackle came with it. Scarecrow hugged me, shielding me from her but I could still see the person. It was the witch of the south, I assumed. She was prettier than Glinda. I figured that maybe she wasn't truly wicked and there was still time to change her back to her good self. I made that my official goal.

"Well, if it isn't Dorothy Gale from Kansas. I heard you'd dragged your way back, that you had to be fished out of the Ozian river. Ha! Quite a scene that must've been."

"You stay away from her, Lucca, or I'll-" Scarecrow started but she, apparently named Lucca, cut him off.

"You'll what? You'd never do anything worse than I could do to you. Would you like some s'mores, Dorothy? You could roast them on Scarecrow's burning straw."

"You let him alone!" I shouted. "He hasn't done nothing wrong. I'm the one who caused this big fuss."

"But Dor-" Scarecrow tried to say but is once again interrupted by Lucca.

"You have made a fuss. I'll have your head on a silver platter for it too, Dorothy Gale. I guarantee you!"

"Get away from Dorothy, you wicked old witch!" Scarecrow yells, protectively.

"Oh, how touching. The Scarecrow is in love with the human Dorothy Gale. Well, let me tell you something about love, kid. Fall out of it. All it does is cause a whole lot of pain."

She didn't cackle as she exploded into a cloud of dust. She gave me the most intimidating, menacing glare that I've ever seen directed at me. And, boy, was it effective.

Scarecrow must've seen the expression that was on my face because he said, "Don't you mind her one bit, Dorothy. As long as I'm around, she won't lay a single finger on you."

"Me too." Tinman said, heartily.

"Me three." Lion proclaimed with courage.

"Oh, but you all could get hurt. I couldn't let that happen because of me. Not at all." I said, honestly. I couldn't bare the thought of any of them getting hurt.

"But, Dorothy, I-!" Scarecrow started.

"Now, what exactly did she mean about that whole love thing?" I pondered aloud, not hearing Scarecrow.

"She was in love with someone. She confessed it to me when she was still good. She, uh, she told me shortly after you left to Kansas." Tinman admits.

"Oh? Who was it then?" I inquired.

"I'm not at liberty to say. She told me not to tell anyone."

"Oh, please, Tinman. You've got to tell me. She won't be good again if you don't tell me. I won't know how to fix it."

"Oh, alright. If you weren't Dorothy, I'd have kept my mouth shut though but given that you are Dorothy, I'm very much obliged to."

"So who was it? Who was Lucca in love with?"

Tinman leans in close to me and Scarecrow, Lion, and I lean in as well.

"She and the Wizard had an affair."