Disclaimer: I wish I did, but know I don't, own any rights to the characters in Tin Man.

This is a first attempt at fan fiction. I have been enjoying reading all the stories that I finally got bold enough to write my own. I have no beta [in fact, I am not sure just what a beta is so keep that in mind. Thoughts of the various characters are in italics. Quotes are done the routine way. Reviews are very welcome.

Chapter 1

He would have to make a decision soon, he knew that. Or did for as long as he could keep the thought. It was the one constant thought that would always re-entered his half empty braincase. That, and the knowledge that he had several friends who were trying to help him decide.

With a smile on his pale face, Glitch turned the knob on his bedroom door and stepped out onto the brightly lit hallway. Mornings were always so bright and shiny new for him. Even when the day was gloomy. And thank Ozma that today was a sunny one. He had some serious enough questions to ask and didn't want any shadows in any room to spill over onto his friends' faces.

Glancing down, he took inventory. Yup, all was well. Jacket was on, pants up and buttoned; he didn't like the zippered type. Shirt, also, buttoned up correctly. He remembered yesterday morning, when he had gaily skipped into the dining room and everyone had burst out laughing. His top pant button had been attached to the bottom of his shirt. No one believed him when he explained that he had done it deliberately, that it helped him keep his shirt tucked in. So now he resolved to button pants to pants and shirt to shirt. Just like everyone else. Shirt tucked in, he began the descent to the dining room.

Outside the dining room, Glitch did another inventory of his toilet, forgot that he had already tucked his shirt in and pushed it awry trying to tuck it in again. He pushed the door open just a bit and peered through the crack between door and doorjamb. Gathered around the table, along with various courtiers, he could see Azkedilia, the Queen and Ahamo eating. DG, Cain had their heads together, a worried expression on both faces. Probably talking about the rumors of the uprising he sniffed. As if the Long Coats could have possibly gotten their act together so quickly!

Servants bustled about, laying down platters of bacon and eggs and scones and jam. Oooo! Scones! Glitch stepped into the room, frowning at DG and Cain serious expressions. Whatever are they so glum about? Grabbing a scone, he stuffed his mouth full and exclaimed; "G'morfin."

DG looked up at him, her frown erased from her face. "Good Morning to you, too, Glitch. Cook prepared the scones especially for you when you said how much you loved them."

"I did?" Glitch stopped in mid chew, shrugged and passed it off as yet another glitch and swallowed the dry cake. A cup of tea, a few more scones and Glitch set himself down next to Cain. This time he buttered a scone and added jam before stuffing it in his mouth.

"For someone who eats as much as you do, you sure don't gain much weight." DG sighed. She didn't have that problem, but a girl always kept her mind on it. "So, what has you so happy today?"

"Oh, I don't know. You two looked so glum, thought I'd cheer you up." Glancing slyly at them he asked; "Is it working?" Cain tried valiantly to stop his grin, but he knew he was helpless before the charms of Glitch. DG's grin beat his by only a second.

"You always cheer us up, Glitch. Must be a talent of yours." Cain grinned and then the smile faded. "We were discussing the rumors of a Long Coat uprising in the west.. I know it has only been two months since the kingdom was restored, but some of these rumors have the smell of truth to them. We keep hearing about raids in towns and then we never hear anything more from those towns. It's as if all communication has been stopped. How, we don't know. But every tin man we have sent to look into it has disappeared."

"We have also heard about sightings of skulking men not far from the Fields of the Papay." The queen was obviously upset about this, who but someone with evil on his mind would be trying to stay hidden this close to the palace. "No one has actually caught anyone, but campfires have been found. And most distressingly, evidence of Long Coat weapons and even some sorcery has been unearthed. We are worried."

Glitch listened to all this, his own questions flown from his half empty head. Long Coats! His previous encounters with them were still imprinted onto what was left of his memory. You don't forget things like what they did to him. A look of panic crossed his porcelain face and he had to force himself to stay seated and not flee from the memories until he looked around and saw his friends looking at him, concern on their faces. They would not let any harm touch him. He was safe. With a little half laugh he said "Long Coats! Ha! They are too stupid to get close."

He missed the glances of the group as he reached for another scone.