After eating breakfast, Tollydiggle escorted the Wizard to Ozma's palace for his Trial. Once Tollydiggle removed his robe, the Tin Woodman's presence surprised the Wizard.
"Nick, what are you doing here?" the Wizard asked.
"I've been asked to defend you. Of course, I agreed to do it," he replied.
"What are the charges?"
"Escaping jail and ignoring Glinda's orders to not practice magic."
"They're right, I did both."
"Surely, you had a good reason?"
"I was trying to find out what happened to Dorothy? That's all. I was about cast a discovery spell when Glinda caught me. And I couldn't help Dorothy while I was in prison."
"Hmm. I think you have no choice but to plead guilty to the escape. But just maybe we can convince Ozma that you should be cleared of the magic charge."
"Will it work?" the Wizard asked nervously.
"There's only one way to find out."
Jellia Jamb's call for everyone to rise interrupted any further discussion.
"In the legal system, criminals are tried in the Emerald City. This is one such case," she said.
"Jellia, dear. I think you read the wrong opening," Ozma gently told the girl.
Jellia blushed before she apologized. "I'm sorry, your highness. This court is now in session. The honorable Ozma of Oz presiding. You may be seated," she said.
The Tin Woodman looked around. Professor Wogglebug was the prosecutor. The Scarecrow was the foreman of the Jury. Because the Wizard was human, Ozma asked Dorothy's Aunt Em and Uncle Henry to serve as well. The Hungry Tiger was appointed on account of his strong conscience. Other animals on the jury included Billina, the Cowardly Lion, and Jim the cab horse. Ozma filled the remaining two spots with Tik Tok and the Sawhorse.
"Wizard, you are charged with escaping prison, how do you plead?" Ozma asked.
The Wizard stood with his advocate and blinked his eyes. "Guilty, your honor," he replied.
"And the charge of practicing magic after Glinda asked you not to?"
The Wizard was set to answer, but the Tin Woodman interrupted him.
"Not guilty," the Tin Woodman stated. There was a brief buzz in the courtroom. "We plan to invoke a positive defense," he added.
"You mean an affirmative defense," the Wogglebug interjected.
"Like I said," the Tin Woodman replied.
The Wogglebug face palmed at the Tin Woodman's lack of judicial understanding.
"Very well. The trial will consider the sole charge of practicing magic in disobedience of Glinda. Professor Wogglebug, do you have an opening statement?" Ozma asked.
The Wogglebug rose. "Yes, your honor," he replied. He then walked over to the jury.
"Members of the Jury, the Wizard has already admitted he was practicing magic even after Glinda asked him not to do it. What more evidence do we need?" the Wogglebug asked rhetorically before sitting.
"Nick, do you have an opening statement?" Ozma asked the Tin Woodman.
He nodded and stood. "Members of the jury, the Wizard did admit to practicing the magic. But what you don't know is the reason behind it. I plan to prove he practiced magic for a good reason. Surely you can find it in your hearts to acquit the Wizard and spare him from a horrible fate," he said before sitting back down.
"Professor Wogglebug, do you have any witnesses?" Ozma asked.
"I call Glinda the Good," he replied. Glinda, who had just arrived from examining Dorothy, walked over to the witness chair to testify.
"Glinda, did you ask the Wizard to stop practicing magic?" the Wogglebug asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Did he agree to it?"
"He seemed surprised at first, but agreed to do it."
"What did you observe when you entered his chambers?"
"He was about to make some sort of magic potion."
"Do you know what kind of potion?"
"It appeared to be a Darkness Potion."
"I have nothing further," Professor Wogglebug stated. Glinda looked troubled.
"I have questions," the Tin Woodman stated.
"Very well, you may proceed," Ozma answered him.
"Glinda, do you think the Wizard intended to make the Darkness Potion?" the Tin Woodman asked.
"I don't think so?"
"Glinda, look at your pearl. What color is it?"
She looked down. "It's gray," she replied.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'm not sure about my answer."
"What are you sure about?"
Glinda looked at the Tin Woodman for a minute. "I'm sure he didn't cast the Darkness Spell. And I know he didn't harm Dorothy," she finally admitted. Her pearl changed back to its original white color. She was telling the truth again.
"And how do you know this?"
"I captured the guilty party."
"I have one last question. Is it possible the Wizard was trying to be helpful with his magic and learn what happened to Dorothy?"
Glinda blinked her eyes. "Yes," she answered simply. Everyone breathed a collective gasp.
"That's all," the Tin Woodman stated as he sat back down.
"You may step down, Glinda," Ozma stated gently.
"If it pleases you, may I be excused? I need to check on Dorothy one last time to see if my antidote worked," Glinda stated.
"By all means," Ozma replied.
Glinda bowed and left.
"Professor Wogglebug, do you have any more witnesses?" Ozma asked.
"No, your honor," he replied.
"Nick, do you have any witnesses?" Ozma asked the Tin Woodman.
"I call Oscar Diggs, also known as the Wizard of Oz," he replied.
The Wizard took the witness chair.
"I'd like to admit the Wizard's book into evidence," the Tin Woodman stated politely.
"I object. It's irrelevant," the Wogglebug protested.
"It's very relevant. The Wizard will explain what he was trying to do when Glinda discovered him."
"I'll allow it," Ozma replied. The Wogglebug sat down.
"Wizard, is this the book you used at the time Glinda stopped you?" the Tin Woodman asked.
"It is," the Wizard replied.
"What spell were you attempting?"
"A discovery spell. So I could try to learn what really happened to Dorothy."
The Tin Woodman presented the book to Ozma.
"If you look carefully, the discovery spell is on the opposite page of the darkness spell. So, I submit to you that the Wizard had no intention of ever casting the darkness spell," he said.
Ozma examined the Wizard's spell book. "So noted," she said.
"Wizard, I have just one more question. Why would you disobey Glinda after promising not to use any magic?" the Tin Woodman asked.
"I thought I might be able to find out what happened to Dorothy. Surely I couldn't sit around doing nothing. Friends help each other out," he stated emphatically.
"That's all."
"Professor Wogglebug, do you wish to question the witness?" Ozma asked.
The Wogglebug took a deep breath. "No, your honor. Given the evidence presented, I have no questions for the witness," he answered.
"Wizard, you may step down," Ozma stated. The Wizard returned to the defense table.
Ozma turned to the jury. "Do you have a verdict yet?"
After the jury quietly discussed some points with each other, the Scarecrow stood up to address Ozma.
"We do," he said.
"What is your verdict?" Ozma asked.
"We find the Wizard not guilty of disobeying Glinda. The Hungry Tiger made a valid point. The Wizard acted on his conscience to do what he felt was right. We cannot punish someone for obeying their conscience."
The gallery gasped again in surprise.
"Thank you, Scarecrow, and thank you for the rest of you for serving as the Jury. Wizard, you will not face any penalty for your attempt to practice magic to help Dorothy even though Glinda asked you not to. However, you did plead guilty to escaping prison. Therefore, I sentence you to two additional days of imprisonment," Ozma announced.
"No, you can't do that!" a female voice cried out. When everyone turned around, the site of Dorthy speaking amazed them. Not only was she awake, but she appeared to be her old self again.
"Dorothy, I'm happy to see your spell has been broken. But, you can't exactly barge in and interrupt a trial, you know."
"Ozma, this is a complete travesty of the legal process!" the Wogglebug exclaimed.
"Professor Wogglebug, I am allowed to consider amicus curiae testimony. I wish to hear what Dorothy has to say on the matter."
"Of course," the Wogglebug replied as he sat back down.
"Ozma, dear, how long was the Wizard in prison before he escaped?" Dorothy asked.
"About a day, give or take," Ozma answered.
"Since he was put in prison for a day already for disobeying Glinda, why not send him back for just one day. That way, he learns it was wrong to escape, and he gets to spend a total of two days in prison like you originally ordered."
Ozma looked at her friend curiously. "That is an interesting idea," she replied.
Ozma than turned to the Wizard.
"Wizard, I will give you credit for the day you already served. You will serve the next 24 hours in prison to complete your sentence," she decreed.
"With pleasure, your highness," the Wizard answered. He turned to face Tollydiggle.
"Go ahead and cuff me. I'm ready to go," he told the jailer.
"I think we can do without the cuffs and robe. You're not ashamed, so there is no reason to hide you from embarrassment," Tollydiggle replied. She then escorted the Wizard to prison.
Meanwhile, Dorothy caught up with her friends on what she had missed out on over the past few days.
"I hate to interrupt you, Dorothy, but we still have one last thing to do," Ozma said.
"What's that?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"I have to decide what to do with Salemis. She was the one who cast the spell on you."
"What will you do?"
"I have an idea, but just in case, I have something I need you to do," Ozma told Dorothy.
Ozma and Dorothy joined Salemis in a guest room. With Glinda's magic rope around her waist, Salemis remained unable to practice magic.
"So, what are you going to do to me?" Salemis asked Ozma with a sneer.
"You have your choice. You can either drink a potion that will remove your magic skills permanently, or you can be put to death," Ozma replied softly.
"I know my rights, I choose neither one," Salemis stated scornfully.
"I guess you're right," Ozma said, appearing to concede defeat. "But I'm sure you're thirsty. May we get you some water?" she asked.
"Finally! Something I want for a change."
"Dorothy, go get some water for our guest."
Dorothy, unknown to anyone else, had drawn some water from the Forbidden Fountain. The Water of Oblivion caused instant amnesia in whoever drank it.
Before Dorothy could say anything, Salemis quickly snatched the glass of water from Dorothy and drank it down in a single gulp. As she swallowed it, her expression changed.
"What were we talking about?" Salemis asked curiously.
"Do you remember?" Ozma asked.
Salemis looked at Ozma and Dorothy. Who are these girls? she thought.
"No, I don't. Who are you?" Salemis asked.
"I am Ozma and this is Dorothy. If you like, she can take you someplace where you can learn more," Ozma replied.
"I think I'd like that."
"Wait for me outside, I'll be out in a jiffy," Dorothy told Salemis. Salemis then went outside and sat in a cushioned green chair.
"Ozma, what should I do?" Dorothy asked nervously.
"Don't be nervous. She has forgotten all of her past evil. Take her to Professor Wogglebug. He can educate her properly and turn her into a respected citizen," Ozma said.
Dorothy nodded and left to take Salemis to see Professor Wogglebug.
Ozma breathed a sigh of relief. Salemis' spell was broken, Dorothy was fine, and all was good in the Land of Oz once again.
Closing Commentary: The first three chapter titles were based off of songs. The first chapter comes from the line "sleep in a deep, deep sleep" from the song Youth by Soft Cell. The second chapter comes from Paul McCartney's song, Man on the Run. Similarly, the third chapter comes from the song I Ran (So Far Away) by A Flock of Seagulls. The final chapter's title, and a quote inside of it, were spoofs from the Law & Order television franchise.
The character Salemis Theb was an original character created for this story.
I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
END
