Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Wizard of Oz Books, movies, etc.

A/N: Well, hello mon aime! This story takes place after the movie Return To Oz. If you have not seen it, it's alright, but I advise you search it online to see what it's about. This story will have some of the characters from the movie, which is why I'm letting you know where they're coming from. Hope you like this. . Anyways, on with the show! By the way, this fic isn't gonna have to do with the books; only the movies. Some of the chars might be OOC.

Salve Regina

(Save The Queen)

I

Sunlight poured delicately, almost reaching even the darkest corners. An emerald city stood proudly beyond a poppy field. Within the walls of the tallest building, a king sat, contemplating about tough situations from the past. Miles away, in a deep forest, stood another king, brave and strong, ready for any intruders. He would strike if the opportunity arose. Lucky for him, a nearby woodsman's house was occupied by a loving man who held very impressive chopping skills with his axe. He would never let anything unfortunate happen near his habitat. These three men knew one another, and were best friends. King Scarecrow of Emerald City, King Lion of the Forest, and The Tinman of Oz.

Oz was a known land, not by many outsiders, but by many dreamers. For years it had been inhabited by evil, until a little girl dropped a house on a wicked witch. The little girl ventured into Oz to defeat the sister of the witch whom she had killed. Whence completed, the little girl left Oz in a celebratory state. However, the little girl returned to Oz to help again. She defeated the Gnome King who in an angry fit, stole the ruby slippers, and turned the Scarecrow and his friends into emerald ornaments. He almost turned the little girl and her army into ornaments as well. With the aid of Tik-Tok, Pumpkinhead, The Gump, and some faith, the Gnome King had his fall in a regicide. Thus, the honor and adoration of Dorothy Gale, Savior of Oz.

Wheelers skated anxiously around the Great Castle of Ozma. Wheelers were full grown men in snazzy uniforms, and their hands and feet were not human; They were wheels. Ozma, however old she became, would always appear as a beautiful, young lady. Her crown of diamonds were always worn, for she was the Queen of Oz. Her power did not consist of overwhelming magic, but she always lit up a room without trying. Any bachelor in Oz would have loved to date Ozma, but didn't for fear of disappointing her.

All of the know parts in Oz were carefully watched by King Scarecrow. King Lion only guarded the forests so no unwanted creature or animal left its territory. If they do, Wheelers, who were no longer malicious, would scout the land to take care of pests. Oz, in a nutshell, was a very cared for land. There were no reasons for anymore problems to occur.

Of course, without problems, this story would not be written.

Sunlight poured mysteriously into Dorothy Gale's window. She turned on her radio, only to hear bad news. Dorothy, now age eighteen, felt that childish nonsense should no longer take place in her life. Hence her haulted dreams of wonder. Some years ago, coming back from her last visit to the Land of Oz, Dorothy's dog Toto had to be put to sleep. He had gotten bit by a rabid animal, and there was no other way out of death. Ever since, Dorothy has had trouble trusting everyone. She no longer dreampt of candy and adventures over rainbows, but now held nightmares of suicide and depression. Her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry payed attention to every wish, every demand of Dorothy's after her return to Kansas those years ago. However, the concerned guardians could not shake the oncoming hit of teenage angst and frustration.

"God, I hate this radio! When the hell can I move out and get my own house? I would be happy with my own possessions.." Dorothy started her daily habit of complaining. Then she shut her radio and began to cry. She truly hated her miniscule room, for she had grown out of it. Yet, Aunt Em and Uncle Henry couldn't afford to give a bigger room because their crops weren't selling as well this year with another drought in effect.

Aunt Em rushed upstairs, "What's wrong, honey?"

"..Nothing," Dorothy lied, wiping the tears away, "Just the normal stuff. I don't understand why we have to stay here in Kansas anymore. There's nothing for us out in this dusty, drought-ridden place! When will we have enough money to leave?"

"We can't move. Your Uncle and I have been over this with you thousands of times. The land is perfect for our crops when there isn't a drought. This year is the first drought in over five years, and we need to keep the business going. When you're older you will understand business ethics. You can do anything you want. It's summer, and the sun is glowing on your pretty face. Go have some fun." Aunt Em smiled to comfort her niece.

Thinking for a moment, Dorothy responded, "Fine, I'll go outside and die of a heat stroke."

"That's not funny, Dorothy Gale! Stop saying those things."

Without waiting around for more talk with her Aunt, Dorothy rushed outside. She soon felt like ice cream melting under the sun, but at least she was away from her small room. If only she had her trusty dog to play with.

0o0o

In Oz, Ozma was looking for her crown. She placed it down onto a table for one moment, and it suddenly disappeared. This was the one reason Ozma fancied wearing her crown constantly. Now crawling on the floor, she bumped into two wheels. She looked up and saw Nudge, the head Wheeler, standing over her.

"Oh, Nudge, how can I help you?" Ozma stood up and adjusted herself.

Nudge spoke in an accented voice, "Actually, I was going to update you on outside situations. Everything's fine. Of course, that doesn't include you crawling on the floor. What's wrong, your Majesty?"

"I lost my crown. I placed it on the dining table only to return and see it missing. Do you know where it is?" Ozma seemed to be very upset.

"Hmmm," Nudge scratched his head, "No, don't know where it is. Sorry."

Ozma dismissed Nudge, and went back to searching for her precious crown. A few minutes into her search, she heard some strange noises coming from her ballroom. Ozma ran downstairs to see what the commotion was. . . and screamed at what her eyes watched.

0o0o

Dorothy was laying in the grass, spotting shapes in clouds. It was a boring task, but someone had to finish it. As she became tired of doing nothing, a thought popped in her head. Standing up, Dorothy ran to her Uncle's tool shed and quickly searched a shelf above the entrance. Her blue sundress almost got stuck on the ladder, but once she found what she had looked for, her priority wasn't a little rip in her clothes. She placed a wooden box on the cutting table and opened it. Coins and dollar bills stared Dorothy straight in the eye. She took a deep breath and stole at least half of the savings. Her guilty conscience didn't really bother her as she placed the box where she found it. The money was placed in a small, drawstring bag, and hung from her wrist.

With a sprinting start for the dirt road nearby, Dorothy was ready to hit town.

Until she saw two healdights heading towards her. . .