AN: Hey guys, I'm back again! Yeah... I don't know where the random DG/Cain-ness of this chapter came from, it just happened that way. xD I also want to thank KLCtheBookWorm and Penulis for reviewing the last chapter, I'm really glad you guys liked it. =) Hopefully, this second chapter doesn't disappoint! Life has just been crazy lately, buying a house and whatnot, so I haven't really had time to think the next stage of the story through. I have at least one more update before I drop off the radar for a bit to work on the next installment, though.

Yeah, Zero makes a minor appearance in this chapter, and I'm not sure if he'll be showing up again in the story except in passing mention. He just seems to be the common villain for Tin Man. I mean, he tortured Cain's family without being possessed or anything, like Az was, and when I watched the series, I thought he would turn out to be something other than a flunky with power issues. So, I decided to feature him in this as a step to helping Az get past her years under the Witch's power.

Hmmm... I can't really think of anything else to add to this author's note... Obviously, I don't own the characters mentioned; I'm just using them to amuse myself and others. :) Nothing is being made off this, and the actors belong to themselves. So, without further ado, enjoy chapter 2. =) (Rhyme not intended. -_-; ) Feel free to point out anything I may have missed in terms of typos, grammar, etc. Review if you like, but remember: Flames = Smores, and Smores = Unhappy waist line. :P

AN # 2: I did borrow song lyrics within some of Az's dialog, as well as referenced a movie with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. I own neither products mentioned (though my parents own the movie on DVD, and I have the song on my MP3, but that's it.), but if you can tell me which movie I referenced, or which song, I can't give you a prize or anything, but you will have my congratulations for being awesome. =D ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DG really, really, really missed her motorcycle. And likewise, she really disliked horses. The only remotely good thing about the ride to the tower was that she got to ride on Cain's horse, him being her body guard/fiance and all. But still. Somehow, clutching her Tin Man as though her life depended on it wasn't nearly as romantic as the movies on the Other Side made it out to be. Personally, she blamed Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.

'Next time I'm back in Kansas, I am so buying him one of those light bulb suits...' the younger princess thought as she and Az stretched their legs as they stood in front of the tower while Cain and Glitch settled the matter of security for both princesses. Cain would guard DG, the two dealing with other business Lavender had asked the younger princess to take care of, while Az and Glitch were to go find the second clue, as well as stop by and see Zero.

"Okay ladies, listen up." Cain spoke to the two princesses as he and Glitch re joined them. They knew the two sisters together were more than a match for any would be assassin, but that didn't mean they allowed them far out of their sight if it could be helped. Fortunately, everyone in the tower had seen Az the day they'd beaten the Witch, and most had been given the task of cleaning up the mess. No one in the tower thought Az had been acting of her own free will any longer.

"What's the plan, Tin Man?" DG asked playfully.

"You and me, kid, are going to see the head of tower security, to make sure your visit here goes uninterrupted. Az, Headcase, you two are going with these gentlemen to see Zero, then scout out the location of the next clue." Cain revealed. DG latched onto his arm and Az subtly rolled her eyes. She was thrilled for her baby sister, but there was a limit to how much one ex-Sorceress could take.

"Well, shall we leave the lovebirds alone, Glitch?" Az asked, taking Glitch's arm and strolling away towards the tower with three accompanying guards, leaving a very awkward looking Cain to deal with an evilly smirking DG. Both the princess and the headcase were vaguely sorry for Cain.

"Indeed we shall, Azka-Dee." Glitch agreed, putting his hand over her's on his arm as they walked, and he nodded to the guards on duty at the prison entrance. He came to a sudden stop, and gently pulled Azkadellia back to him. "Azka-Dee, do you really want to go through with this? I'm more than willing to go talk to Zero on my own."

"That's sweet, Glitch, but I know Zero. He won't give you whatever he has for me." Az sighed, taking the headcase's hands. "Besides, I can't hide from it forever."

"I just don't want you to be hurt." Glitch told her quietly, looking into the princess's eyes. Az smiled, and placed a kiss on Glitch's cheek.

"I think this is the only time in 15 annuals when I haven't been hurting, Glitch. We'll only stay for a moment, long enough to get whatever Zero has." Az promised, leading him into the prison compound. Immediately, the two were hit with the faint echo of the Witch's power. She'd coated the prison in her magic to torture the resistance fighters her Longcoats captured during her reign. Az sucked in a quiet breath to steady herself, then felt Glitch's reassuring hand on the small of her back.

"You can do it, Dollface." Glitch promised her, taking her hand in his and leading a few more steps on. When he felt her heels grind into the floor, he stopped and waited for her to be ready. "You're so much stronger than she ever was, Az. She can't hurt you anymore. You're free."

"Glitch, I can feel her memory gripping like a stain..." Az answered breathlessly. Glitch took her into a hug, and stood with her in his arms, gently rocking back and forth on his feet to calm her.

"Azzy, let me tell you something." Glitch whispered into her hair as he held her. "As long as I live and breathe, the wicked bitch will never hurt you again, I swear to you."

"Isn't that just too precious?" a cocky voice asked from in front of the two travelers. Glitch looked up as Az froze in his arms, glaring at the speaker. He found Zero's ugly mug sneering at the two with a look of contempt and, to Glitch's eyes anyway, jealousy from the end of the row of cells. "The fallen Sorceress has found a protector in the headcase she created. The Witch would be gagging right about now."

"Zero." Glitch growled low in his throat, glaring daggers at the general while holding Az tight in his arms. Zero's eye brow arched at the authority in the voice, then grinned. He hadn't been aware that the ex Advisor had gotten his other half reinstalled. Only one person would be foolish enough to speak to him in that tone of voice.

"Ambrose. It's been a while." Zero greeted. "Got your brain back, I see."

"Actually, no, I haven't. But, marbles or no, I remember you well enough to hate you just for breathing." Glitch practically snarled. "We're here to get whatever you wrote to the princess about."

"'The princess' eh? I wonder how the Queen would feel about you holding her daughter like that. Would be quite the scandal, the possessed princess in the arms of the headcase Advisor to her mother." Zero laughed. "Come now, Ambrose. We all know each other well enough to be on a first name basis. After so many annuals of loyal service, shouldn't her majesty address me?"

Az's spine went stiff, and she twirled to face Zero, her face set in determination. She stepped out of Glitch's embrace, and strode down to where Zero's cell was, her heels clicking menacingly as she walked. Through the bars, she gave him a look so reminiscent of the one the Witch always wore when she was about to drain the Light out of someone that Glitch needed to repress a shudder.

"Zero. You have something for me?" She said straight out, her arms folded over her chest as she looked through the bars. Zero let out a low laugh, then looked up at her, his arms hanging out through the bars.

"Looking good, your highness. The loss of the Witch hasn't made you any less beautiful." Zero complimented, smiling easily. Az glared softly, but didn't approach the cage.

"Show some respect when speaking to the princess of the Zone." Glitch demanded, looking at Zero like he wanted to flay him alive.

"Please, Glitch. Let me handle this." Az asked him, reaching behind her and taking his hand. "I'm very different than I was when the Witch had me, Zero. I'm a little older, and a lot stronger."

"And clearly, still very much in charge." Zero finished. "Where's the younger princess?"

If Glitch hadn't had a hold of Az's hand, Zero would have died in the split second after he said that. She launched herself forward, and Glitch had to pull her back into his embrace, but not before her free hand swept out and delivered a strike to his face. Zero recoiled away from the bars, a thin line of blood down his face from her nails as Az panted in Glitch's arms.

"You leave my baby sister alone, damn you, Zero, or Ozma help me, the last thing you'll learn in this world is just how cruel Azkadellia Gale can be! And I assure you, the Witch will be nothing by comparison!" Az snarled at him, her eyes thin as she glared at him fiercely.

"Azzy, calm down." Glitch soothed her quietly, keeping hold of her arms. "Zero won't harm you or Deeg again. Just give Az what we came for, Zero, so we can get out of here and leave you to your well deserved punishment."

"As you wish." Zero shrugged, then reached into his shirt pocket. Faster than the eye could see, Glitch had Az behind him in case it was a trap. Shaking his head, Zero handed him a paper.

Glitch took the worn and faded paper without a word, then turned and lead Az out of the prisons, feeling her hand shaking in his as they walked. When the doors to the prison closed, Az let out a breath and clung to Glitch in a hug, silently holding in tears.

"Well... That's done." Glitch told her quietly, rubbing a gentle circle on her back. Az nodded, then looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Glitch wiped the tears away, then kissed her forehead and gave her a reassuring smile. "Do you want me to read it out loud, Dollface?"

"Please." Az choked out, trying to get a hold of herself. Glitch unfolded the paper with one hand, and began to read as Az rested her head against his chest.

'To my dearest Azka-Dee,

I hope my letter finds you well, even though I know you may not wish to speak to me. Please Azka-Dee, I'm sorry. My father sending me away came completely out of the blue; by the time I knew about it, the carriage was at the door and my father was handing me a suitcase. If I'd known I would have told you, you know that. Seeing you so upset as I was carried away broke my heart. I know you're angry, which is probably why my letters have gone unanswered. I understand, but at least assure me that you're doing alright? Even a sentence would do, just so I know I have some hope of your forgiveness one day.

I have to go, my lessons are beginning soon, and my teachers don't care for letter writing in class, whether it's to the princess of the O.Z or no. Azzy, I can't begin to apologize enough, but I am sorry. Please write back, if not to this letter than the next. I await you.

All my love, your friend,

Ambrose.'

As the letter closed, Glitch found himself cursing the Witch. He'd written that letter; he knew his heart sick ramblings over the eldest princess of the O.Z better than anyone. He just wished he could remember writing it. He glanced at Az when she took the letter from his hands, reading it over. He saw the confusion on her face, and decided to take a chance.

"Azka-Dee? You okay?"

"I'm alright, Glitch." Az answered, smiling at him. Her expression went dark again as she glanced over the letter. "I've never seen this letter before though. It's from you, I know that. But I don't remember reading it."

"Never?" Glitch asked. "I don't remember writing it, but I'm sure I did. It must have been from just after my father sent me away to school, just after..."

"After I was possessed and killed Deeg." Az finished quietly. "I can't imagine where Zero would have gotten this. And what other letters? You never wrote me."

"Yes I did." The words were out of his mouth before his half a brain could catch up to them. Az blinked cutely at him, and he continued. "Azka-Dee, I may not remember writing this particular letter, but I remember writing you hundreds of others. I was so afraid for you, and no matter how many times I pleaded in my letters, you'd never respond. Then my father died, and I returned after being gone for 6 annuals."

"But I don't recall ever getting any..." Az pondered, and then it clicked. The eldest princess felt rage rear up in her chest. The Witch. Whenever the post came in, Az would black out and the Witch would take over. "She took your letters and hid them, I bet... That must have been how she got so many of your inventions before I took over Central City. Argh, I can't believe her! How could she do that?!"

"Azka-Dee, she was an evil Witch." Glitch placated the princess with a short laugh. "That would explain why you never wrote back. She never let you see any of them?"

"None." Az shook her head. "Oh Glitch, if I'd known, I would have written you back. I wasn't angry with you, just upset that you were leaving so suddenly, and when I needed you with me so much. Please understand."

"My Azka-Dee." Glitch sighed, shaking his head and kissing her forehead. "I know if you could have, you would have. Don't give it another thought. Now, do you want to move onto happier pursuits, before DG figures out why you lashed out and nearly tore Zero to ribbons and comes running in, guns blazing?"

"That would be a good idea." Az agreed laughing. Her baby sister would do that, too, if she thought Az needed her. The Tin Man would have his hands full now, she mused, as if they hadn't been before. Ozma help the Zone when those two start breeding, she laughed.

"Do you have the proposal, Azka-Dee?" Glitch asked. Az nodded, then handed him the now well worn piece of parchment. Az and DG had gone over the letter hundreds of times the night before, looking for some clue about the clues, but had found nothing. Glitch took the parchment and began pacing as he read it, mumbling to himself too low for Az to hear him.

Az waited a few minutes before asking, "Any idea, Glitch?"

"Hmm..." Glitch responded absently. "'the heart of where Light and Dark met the stillness between, the home of the beast She tried to use through you'. That sounds like a clue to me. Light and Dark met the stillness between... The Witch, you and DG faced off here at the tower during the eclipse, which is the stillness between part... 'Home of the beast she tried to use through you'..."

"The Emerald?" Az asked, then furrowed her brow. "No, that doesn't make sense... What about the Sun Seeder? She tried to use that through me to cover the world in a second darkness."

"Brilliant idea, Azka-Dee!" Glitch grinned at her. "Let's go look."

The two walked quickly through the tower until they came to the Sun Seeder. Without the Witch's magic to poison it and bring it life, the hulking mass of cogs and spokes looked like nothing more than a battered machine that had long been out of use. Glitch felt something strike his heart as he saw the shell of his great creation, that he'd meant to help people, but had instead almost been used to destroy them. He walked up to the machine and put his hands on it, the totality of his failure sinking in. Az walked up behind him, and put her hands on his shoulders while resting her forehead against his back.

"Glitch..." Az said quietly, not sure of what to say. It had been her that had used the genius' creation for evil, and had ended up hurting the person she loved most.

"Don't blame yourself, Azzy." Glitch told her, not looking at her. "I created this machine to help the O.Z. To help you. She took it and twisted it, so she could kill our world and take you with it. I just never imagined it would hurt this much to see it. She ruined so much of it..."

"Can you fix it?" Az asked.

"Fix it? What do you mean?" Glitch wondered.

"If I take her spells off of it, can you make it the way you had originally planned?"

"You mean rebuild it, from the ground up? Azka-Dee, it's a nice thought, but it would take far too long, and cost far too much. Your mother would never allow it." Glitch denied, turning to look at the princess. Az's eyes narrowed as his depressed sounding voice.

"Oh yes she will." Az said vehemently. She gestured towards the Sun Seeder, determined to make her point. "Glitch, you created this to help the Zone, to fix what I did."

"Az-"

"No! Let me finish, please, Glitch." Az pleaded, taking his hands. "Whether I wanted to or not, it was my hands that almost destroyed the Zone. I left so much destruction in my wake that without a miracle, I don't think the Zone will ever recover on its own. Mother is too weak from saving Deeg, I'm still recovering from having my body possessed for 15 annuals, and Deeg is still getting used to her power again. None of us are strong enough to heal the O.Z, but maybe your machine can help. Let me speak to Mother and Daddy about it?"

"If it will make you happy, Azka-Dee. I just don't see the point of it. Without my marbles, I'm only half the genius I once was." Glitch sighed. Az frowned, then lifted the headcase's face to her's.

"No, you're twice the genius you once were, Glitch, because you're still you, still as confident and brave as you were before." Az told him. "Let me tell you about the Ambrose I remember. He was a genius in his own right, a regular wizard with maths, sciences, and martial arts of all kinds that I could never hope to understand. When I was younger, he was mine and DG's body guard, as well as our friend. We both loved him dearly, not because he was so smart or that he protected us. But because, whenever Deeg would have a nightmare when she was little, and I used to sit up with her and help her fall back asleep, he would come and sit with us and tell us stories of his travels with his father. Whenever some snobby prince got on my case about being a girl and unfit to rule the O.Z., he would step in and put the prince in his place. He was our best friend, he always did what was right, and he wasn't afraid to fight to protect Deeg and I. But he was also very shy and quiet, especially around Mother and Daddy. Glitch, you're still just like you were then, you just need to work to remember it."

Glitch gave her a genuine smile in return. If anyone could cheer him up, it was Azkadellia. "Azka-Dee, I don't know how you do it." He shook his head, still smiling and not needing to elaborate any further. Az smiled back at him.

"Let's call it a gift. So, we're at the Sun Seeder. Shouldn't there be a clue somewhere around here?" Az looked around, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.

"You'd think so." Glitch considered, walking around the Sun Seeder. He pondered a particular side panel that jumped out at him. Without thinking, the headcase reached out and pulled the panel off the machine, revealing an empty chamber. At the back, there was a picture of Az and DG as kids, before the Witch came along. Glitch took the picture, and came to the conclusion that he had been the one taking the picture, though he wasn't sure from when. "Azzy, look."

Az looked over his shoulder at the picture, and put a hand over her mouth in surprise. She took the picture and held it in both hands, looking at the smiles worn by she and her sister. She smiled as a tear slipped down her face. Glitch put an arm around her shoulders in support, then saw the faint lines of writing behind the picture. He let go of Az, and walked around to look at the other side of the picture to find writing.

"Azka-Dee, look on the back." Glitch told her. Az flipped the picture around and saw the message.

'Well done, dearest. I knew you would be able to over come your fear of facing your past. She is not you, Azkadellia, my love. She is nothing compared to you. I admit, this is a decoy clue. Your real clue is located under the threshold to the pathway of Ozma herself. Think hard, dear heart. It will come to you. Remember your past, how you would run around this tower with your sister. Keep going, you're almost there. I love you.' The note ended promptly, and Az was still confused.

"'The pathway of Ozma herself'? What in the hells does that mean?" Az asked, puzzled. Glitch's face scrunched up in concentration. That sounded so familiar to him, he knew it did.

"Pathway.. Ozma.. You.. Azka-Dee, Deeg, your mother will be furious with you two for being up on the terrace by yourselves!" Az's head shot up when she heard the old voice of Ambrose come from Glitch's mouth.

"Glitch?" She asked, seeing the headcase recover from a synapse misfire. "Glitch, where did that come from?"

"Annuals ago, when you and Deeg were kids..." Glitch answered, then his face lit up in remembrance. "Azzy, the tower platform! You and Deeg would play there as kids when this was my family's tower, before the Witch took over! You and Deeg would always go there at sunset to watch the way the light hit the tower, and Deeg would say it was -"

"- The pathway of Ozma! That's right, I remember now!" Az agreed in joy, her face lit up. When she remembered what else she and Deeg did there, her face fell. Glitch remembered a split second afterward, and he frowned.

"Azka-Dee, don't do that to yourself. I'll go get it." Glitch told her, seeing the sadness on her face.

"Not happening." Az shook her head and smiled slightly. "We're in this together, right?" Az held out her hand, and Glitch took it with a small smile. "Besides, if I'm going to get through this, I'll need your help."

The two remained silent as they walked up the winding stair case that had been scrubbed clean by the tower's staff. As they approached the platform, both could feel the Queen's light in the hallways, but just beneath it, they could feel the memory of the Witch's power. She'd inhabited the tower for so long that the stones themselves remembered her, and Az could feel that memory pressing down on her. Glitch took her hand in silent support, and continued walking towards the platform.

Darkly polished, brand new wooden doors hung open as they entered the room before the platform, and the warm breeze blew onto them as they approached the open doors. The two stopped and stared at the platform in silence for a moment, then walked in synch through the door. Az looked around, watching for something out of the ordinary. When she saw nothing, she looked at Glitch and frowned.

"It's supposed to be here." Az spoke quietly, looking around carefully.