I do not own OUAT nor any of the characters, no infringement intended. I only want them to make more money so we'll get more seasons of the show.
Same applies to the song for the chapter ; IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction. You really should have a listen.
And none intended against any of the Oz books, movies, creatures, races, places or sources included or mentioned.

Any ideas would be great, once again Spellchecked by sight PM if anything's squiffy.

Is it just me who has noticed the Witches of Oz excluding innocence Zelena/ Dorothy; represent love, courage and wisdom, which automatically made me think of Tinmans' heart, the Cowardly lions' courage and Scarecrows' brain. Have I forgotten something vital from one of the classic movies and the history of Oz or is that just a crazy coincidence? I plan on re-watching those films to try and get a better grasp on Oz... I did start but I fell asleep due to work, however Dorothys' uncle is called Henry which just added to my confusion.

Also I googled a map of Oz which I think some people should do too, you will be able to follow Rubys' path out of The Dark forest. The Enchanted forest is to the East of the map, then The poppy fields, Emerald city in the centre then to the West of it lays the Dark forest with the Munchkin territory China town? above and South of that lays Glindas' castle and lands. Strange that the West that signifys innocence is a mixture of Dark forest, Cross roads and Munchkin territory. Depends entirely what map you look at I suppose there are inconsistencies, I reference the Map of the marvelous land of Oz by Professor Mogglebug/Mogglebyg? I think... the writing's not large enough to be sure. Although in literature Munchkins are to the East and ruled by Kaylina The Wicked Witch of the East.

I tried to research the Witches too but honestly there's so many conflicting names and titles, even two Witches that were re-wrote into one character Glinda, in different Oz books and movies. Honestly It'd be far too confusing to try and make all of this canon, especially as The Wicked Witch of the West name's apparently supposed to be Momba, according to the silent movie The wonderful Wizard of Oz 1910, obviously not Once upon a times' canon Zelena.

I realise this is more prologue than chapter but there is alot to take in. Sorry?

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Even though Zelena had left Oz some time ago, the land was still currently in a state of chaos. The sisterhood of Witches lead by Glinda had saw to the return of Dorothy to their lands in order to thwart Zelenas' plan to finally deduce a way to enact a time portal and consequently undo the past; so as she never had to know what life was like without a mother or infact love. After Zelenas' attack on the Scarecrow to steal his brain, which to her was nothing more than an ingredient in her schemes and subsequent face off with Dorothy, the Wicked Witch had seemingly left Oz. Although no one knew why, they could only assume it would be short lived. Therefore Dorothy had vowed, after some persuasion... to stay within Oz and reclaim her western seat on the council.

The council between the Sister Witches had been working tirelessly over the last three years to restore order to Oz. The threat of Zelena had lead to further distrust between the lands and even the Sisters themselves; how could it not? afterall they were under no illusion if any Witch was powerful enough to dabble in time, it would be Zelena. The prophecy stated that she was the greatest evil the lands would face, to ignore this would be nothing short of ignorance and blind naivety. When whispers of zelenas' goal to alter time crawled across the lands, it left a sinister aftertaste upon all the tongues that spoke it. Severe paranoia and in some cases civil war broke out between all manner of beings throughout Oz. Be they the Ogres or Werewolves to the East, Munchkins to the North West, Gillikin folk to the North, Winkies to the North East or Quadlings to the South. Luckily the Dragons beneathe the North remain dormant for a hundred years at a time and weren't due anytime soon.

However the North and most prosperous of Oz had become the epicentre of this paranoia, creatures and races such as; Giant purple spiders, that catch travelers in their webs and make them their servants had grown more vicous. Mist Maidens also known as fairies who reside in fog banks, had been turning darker of late, drawing in those whom dared venture into their territory out of fear of war in their own cities. Flatheads a race of people living on a mountaintop who must carry their brains in a can in their pockets, due to their heads being so flat... as their name states, had been forced to venture down against Skeezers. Skeezers whom are anatomically normal humans that were once friends and now rivals of the Flatheads; that normally live within a glass city in the middle of a lake, upon the border of the North West. Surprisingly the least combatant of the North were, Hoopers ten foot tall humanoids that reside in the Purple Forests that can roll themselves into hoops by grabbing their toes with their hands and Scooters a race of people who live on the waters of the Gillikin River, with their long boat-like feet and sails growing from their wrists to their ribs.

It was this prolonged endeavour to cease the unease and violence of Oz that brought the Sisterhood back to convene once more, as they did so on a regular basis. Ofcourse the distinct quadrants of Oz had Kings and Queens, prime ministers, mayors etcetera to rule, nevertheless the Witches held alot of sway and more to the point power. So it was to those four that all of Oz looked to... for hope.