*Chapter 2: Chao Land and the Witches*

What Shadow and Maria are seeing now is the different world that they never saw before. A beautiful land that had a pond with clear water, and a garden here and there. Little houses for small people. And there is a yellow road that leads to the right, and the red road to the other way. It's a warm place indeed, and everything is so quiet. Maria stepped out of the broken colony to feel the warmth on her. Are they on Earth that she always dreamed to go? Shadow looked around in silent, he came by his human friend.

"Maria...I don't think we're in space anymore." He said. Maria didn't say a word. She is too amazed by this place. The flowers glowed in the sunlight, and the water in the pond sparkled. Maria sniffed one of the flowers and smiled. Everything around her and Shadow is so colorful and very peaceful. She turned to Shadow with a smile.

"We must be on Earth!" She said. "It has to be Earth." Shadow turned and saw a pink bubble floating towards him and Maria. Then it formed into a female mobian pink hedgehog, wearing a pink gown and a silver crown. Maria looked at her in awe, same did Shadow.

"I don't think this is Earth..." Shadow slowly said. "This is a different place. I know it." A pink hedgehog approached to Maria and Shadow with a smile.

"Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?" She asked. Maria blinked. A witch? What is she talking about?

"No I'm not. I'm not a witch at all." Maria replied. "What makes you think that I am?" The pink hedgehog giggled.

"I can tell you one thing. You landed on the Wicked Witch of the East." She said, pointing at the landed colony, but beneath it is the female mobian fox's feet. The feet is wearing ruby slippers. Maria gasped a bit. Shadow didn't even react at all.

"Okay. We killed someone. I'm not surprised." He said. "But wait, you're saying that she's a witch?"

"She is." A pink hedgehog replied with a nod. "So that's why we ask you. Are you witches?" Maria turned back to her.

"But, I've already told you. I'm not a witch. Shadow is not either." She said. "I'm just a normal human being. Witches are old and ugly." Giggling is heard around them. Maria's eyes open wide. She looked around her and Shadow. No one in sight. "What was that?" Maria asked.

"The Chao." The pink hedgehog replied with a smile. "They're laughing because...I am a witch. I'm Amy Rose, the Good Witch of the North."

"You are?" Maria asked, all surprised. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that you're a witch. I never thought they could be beautiful as well."

"Only bad witches are ugly." Amy said. "Well...not ALL of them are. Now, you know my name, what is yours?"

"I'm Maria Robotnik. And this is my friend, Shadow the Hedgehog." Maria introduced. Shadow gave Amy a nod. "But...where are we?" Maria asked. Just then, little flying creatures appeared from the bushes, making chao noises. They are in different colors. Like light blue, black, yellow, pink, blue, green, and different kinds. Amy smiled at the creatures.

"These are Chao, Maria and Shadow. You are in Chao Land. This is their home." Amy said. "They are now free from the awful Fiona, the Wicked Witch of the East that you two land on." All of the Chao were chanting. Maria smiled at them. Suddenly, an evil, female laugh is heard in thin air. The Chao landed on the ground and duck their heads. Shadow and Maria looked up and saw a bat flew down on the ground. She is a white bat wearing a black uniform that looks skimpy. She went over to Fiona's dead body.

"Who's that?" Shadow asked.

"Rouge the Bat, the Wicked Witch of the West. She is the sister of Fiona." Amy replied. Maria backed away a bit to get behind Shadow. Rouge came up to Amy with a glare.

"Who killed my sister?" She asked. Then she looked at Maria. "Was it you?"

"We didn't mean to." Maria replied.

"Rouge, aren't you supposed to get the ruby slippers?" Amy asked, changing the subject. Rouge turned back to the dead body, and the ruby slippers disappeared. Maria then felt something on her feet. She looked down and saw the ruby slippers on her! No blue shoes she's wearing, she is wearing the ruby slippers. Shadow saw them too.

"How in the-" He started.

"Give me those slippers, little girl!" Rouge demanded. "They are no use for you! I'm the only one who knows how to use them!" Amy giggled.

"When these slippers got Maria here, they will never go to you. Now, leave before something falls on you too." She said. Rouge opened her wings and flew above them with a look.

"Very well. I'm gonna get you for this, Amy." She said. She stares at Maria. "And as for you, don't you think you've seen the last of me. I will get those slippers off of you. I'll get you, darling. And you're handsome friend, too." She laughed evilly and flew away from Chao Land. Shadow made a mean look, watching the bat fly away. Maria had her hand over her chest.

"That was pleasant." She said sarcasticly. Amy took her hand and rub it gently.

"Don't worry. But you must remember, never take off those shoes. They are full of powers." She said.

"But, we can't stay here." Shadow said. "We have to return to our own world. Do you know where we can get to Earth?" Amy shook her head, and the Chao were making confused noises. "There's got to be a way to get home." Shadow said.

"If you want to return to your own home, you must see the great Wizard of Oz." Amy said. All the Chao bow their heads down, then up again.

"Wizard of Oz?" Maria asked. "Is he good or bad?"

"Very good, but very mysterious." Amy replied. "He will grant any wish. To get to see the wizard, you must follow this yellow brick road." She pointed at the yellow road. Maria stares at the distance where the road leads. Looks like it's going to be a very long journey.

"Looks far." Maria said. "But, we have no choice."

"Follow the yellow brick road. Yeah, that is very exciting." Shadow said sarcasticly. "The wizard better get us home when we get there."

"But, where is the wizard?" Maria asked Amy.

"In Emerald City. It's a beautiful place." Amy replied. "Just follow the yellow brick road and you will be fine." She is now formed into a pink bubble and fly away. All the Chao were waving at her goodbye. Maria turned back to the road.

"Well, Shadow... You ready?" She asked.

"Sure. Whenever you are. The professor is probably worried sick about us now." Shadow replied. "Let's go." So, the two were walking on the yellow brick road, they can hear the Chao making noises and wave them goodbye. The journey begins.