Chapter 4: The Trip to North of Oz

After Langwidere and I went back for Malynda, I packed a couple of things for our trip to Gillikin. First thing I packed was a gallon jug of orange juice. I don't know what it is but I just love orange juice just as much as some people love coffee. Malynda points out "Now Evan I know you love your orange juice but you may want to pack some water as well. That will come in handy if you are traveling by foot. You may not think you will need it, now but trust me, you will thank me later, honey-child." Heeding Malynda's word I also packed a canteen of water as well and packed an extra pair of clothes, and some snacks as well. After I packed, we started are journey down south (North of Oz is South of Ev).

We walked southward for about 10 hours until we came right towards the borderlines of Ev and the Deadly Desert. There was no way to cross the Deadly Desert without turning in to sand. Malynda accidentally trips over the border. My heart started racing. I thought it would have been the end of poor Malynda, but she didn't turn to sand. I was so relieved. The stuck up diva Langwidere points out "Of course, Witches are immune to the sand. This was seen not too long ago when Glenda was chasing Mombi in the desert. The word was all over the continent!" I quickly remark "Okay, so you should be able to cross just fine!" The divas face quickly flares up "YOU LITTLE TWIT! I WILL MAKE A 31 OUT OF YOU, WAIT AND SEE YOU LITTLE SNOT!" On a more serious note: How are Langwidere and I supposed to get across? Malynda is definitely not strong enough to carry either of us. Malynda suggests in despair "I could possibly float y'all, but I am running low on magic." The three of us take some time to contemplate how we are going to get across. Suddenly for some reason I do not feel as empty.

(Ozma as Narrator)

I finally woke up from fainting. I had a strange dream of Miss Langwidere, Miss Malynda and somebody else trying to cross the Deadly Desert. Could this dream have meant anything? Well it was my only hope so I had to chance it. I took a minute to think about what the dream had to communicate. Apparently Miss Malynda was the only good witch left. Unfortunately the crystal ball could not see past Oz so I could not locate her that way. Maybe that is what the dream had to communicate. I took my time and analyzed everything I remember from the dream. It finally came to me. If Langwidere was there with her, than she was most likely in Ev. I heard a noise. Clunk-clunk...clunk-clunk...clunk-clunk. The sound got louder and closer. I look in the telescope and found out it was the Sawhorse. How glad I was to see him. I answer the door for him and he jumps up to my chest with a big smile on his face. I could tell he has missed me. I saddle up on him and shout "Northward, boy! We have trouble." He looked up at me for a second and I point out to were North is.

So as we headed North we had to go down Hammerhead Hill. Fortunately we got there at night so the Hammerheads where asleep. Unfortunately we slipped on a rock, I fell of the Sawhorse and they heard me scream. The Hammerheads come stomping towards us. I quickly get back up and find my Sawhorse laying on his side, but his legs are still fine. I ask him "Are you okay, buddy?" He responds "Yes, Mother, I am fine." I stand him back on his legs and get back on him as quickly as I could. "Northward! And HURRY!" The Sawhorse ran as fast as his little legs could go. We barely made it in time to avoid being smashed.

After managing to out run them we entered that eerie forest between Hammerhead hill and Maydenchinaville. It is apparent that the witches have been here. The whole forest was destroyed. Trees were on fire, freshly wounded animals lying dead with some of their bones showing, the Wicked Witch of the East flying in the air. Wait a minute, the Wicked Witch of the East was here?!

Once I finally reacted to that thought, I braced my self for my first battle. The tin witch swoops down as soon as she sees me. She cackled and remarked "Eeehheehheeeheee, look who it is, it's the ex-princess. Came for your fill? Well you're in luck, but you're fixing to be roadkill!" I snicker as I respond "Well it looks like over the years your rhyming skills have gotten a little rusty!" I run to a nearby river and fortuitously found a bucket. I fill up the bucket and toss it on her as she flies towards me. She cackled and explained "That doesn't work on me, for I am now metal and my body has already died. Now prepare yourself, you are in for a rough ride!" Right after that the witch fell off her broomstick and could not move. I laugh as I taunt "Ha, Out of oil?! Tough luck! You could be there for DAYS or even YEARS. Now who's roadkill, you little witch?!"

After the fight with the tin witch I continued my journey into Maydenchinaville. It was apparent that the wicked trio has made a trip here because they destroyed the walls barricading the delicate town. The town was covered in shattered porcelain glass. A little girl comes limping with only one and a half legs pleading "Help me! The witches destro..." to me and the Sawhorse and instantly trip and breaks into pieces in mid-sentence. I cried in horror and fear. The most horrid part to think about is that my dear Miss Glenda was behind this terrible tragedy. I command to the Sawhorse "Faster, boy. I can not bare this!"

When I finally reached Gillikin, I went to check and see if Malynda's castle was still standing. I was relieved to see that the Castle was still in perfect shape as I got off the sawhorse and commanded to him, "Stay, and watch for trouble." and went in. When I was scoping out the castle I noticed that Tik-Tok was standing perfectly still and mute. I carefully and completely wound up all of his dials, and asked him "What happened?" Tik-Tok responds "Ma-lynda...left...me...in-charge...of...pro-tec-t ing...Munch-kins...They...are...safe...and...sound ...in...the...se-cret...annex...on...the...bot-tom ...floor..." I quickly run to the bottom floor to make sure the Munckins were still there. Nothing but a tiny empty room and a bookshelf. Suspiciously I moved the bookshelf over to find that it was covering a door. I open the door relieved to find the Munchkins safe and sound. I went into the room to find the Munchkin Mayor. When I found him I asked him if he would keep a look on things until someone else was available, if for anything to keep Tik-Tok wound up. The mayor agreed and we walked out of the room, shut the door, and moved the bookshelf back. I left the Mayor in charge as I continue my journey towards the Deadly Desert.

When I finally arrived at the Desert I commanded the Sawhorse to stop. Unaware that Deadly Desert turns everything that falls into in sand, the Sawhorse put his front legs in the sand and tried to take a nap. Surprisingly the Sawhorse did not turn to sand. After noticing this observation I hopped back on him and commanded "Northward, boy!" The Sawhorse ran faster than he has ever ran before. After we finally made it across I found Malynda, Langwidere and the other guy that was in my dream. Malynda was very glad to see me, as Langwidere, not so much, but that's just Langwidere. Malynda explained why they brought that annoying diva along and introduced me to the other guy who was in my dream. His name was Evan, and he was dressed very casual and dressy like. Although we did not have very much in common, he was still a nice guy. He reminded me of one of those little swanky guys from the Emerald city. After we did our little meet and greet session we headed back to Evan's place after I explained that the Munchkin Mayor was looking over things.