Dark Oz

Chapter Six: The Wizard of Oz

The return trip to Emerald City was long and tedious, but by the time that the sunless sky was darkening for night, the weary team was approaching the gates. The four warriors and their faithful dog entered the city, and at Dorothy's suggestion, each of them bore the visible scars of their short battle with the winged creatures, and Dorothy herself still wore the blood of the fallen witch on her face.

Traditionally, returning heroes were greeted with cheers, but the people simply stood in stunned silence at the sight of the motley mix of human, non-human and animal that marched down the streets on their way to the Wizard's palace. Upon arrival, the gates to the central auditorium were opened and the warriors entered with a small contingent of guards.

The basin in the center of the room again burst forth with flame, and the Wizard's booming voice filled the room. "My champions return! A most honored welcome to Emerald City my friends!"

Dorothy stood before the pillar of flames and glared through them at the wooden door on the other side of the chamber. "I did what you asked... now cut the shit and talk to me man to man!"

The fountain of flame continued burning, but the wizard's booming voice softened. "Approach me, Dorothy."

She began moving for the door, when the Wizard spoke again. "Leave your weapon behind."

Lion approached the emotionless teen. "Dorothy... this doesn't feel right..."

She laid her sword at his feet. "I'm not sure what to think. Just be ready, kay?"

"I will indeed, my friend."

She stood and eyed her friends before turning toward the far door once more, with Toto on her heels.

"Leave the animal."

"He's a dog, asshole... he doesn't always do as he's told," she called out as she kept walking, and the Wizard said no more.

She pushed the wooden door open, and walked down a short hall into what appeared to be some sort of study or office, with bookshelves, telescopes, globes, and various trinkets strewn about. The room was round, with a desk on the far end that stood in front of a large picture window that overlooked the city. To her right was an old style steamer trunk with faded writing, and to her left was an old canvas tarp that haphazardly covered several items that she couldn't quite make out. A man in a long green hooded coat stood with his back to her, and he seemed to be pouring a drink from a collection of ornate bottles on a bar that was built into one of the bookshelves.

"How did you do it?" Dorothy asked of the man in the coat.

"Do what?" the man asked, confused.

"You are not a fucking wizard. How did you defeat the witches?"

The hooded man chuckled. "What was the term you used upon our first meeting? Smoke and mirrors, I believe? That, mixed with Glinda's actual magic drove the witches away and has held them at bay for over twenty years."

Dorothy continued to glace around the room. "So if you have no magic, you cannot cure my friends... or send me home, can you?"

"Personally? No. But I can see that it happens."

"How?" She yelled.

"Patience, little girl. Glinda and I have a mutual arrangement. She helped me expel the witches from Emerald City, and I rule with an iron fist. It isn't perfect, but it works for me."

"Why would she give you Emerald City as a prize for being a fake wizard?"

"Look, kid, I have spent twenty years in this fucked-up fantasy land, and I have learned a little about magic in my time here. Witches cannot use magic to destroy each other, so I used my talents to fake some better magic, and the witches of the east and west simply ran away. But if Glinda were to expose me, or dispose of me, the illusion would be broken and the witches would return. It is as simple as that. She didn't give me the city; I demanded it. I am the lesser of three evils, so to speak."