Hi guys! I'm really, really, really sorry for the wait! I've just been so busy and was completely brain dead. But I got it done, so here it is! Anyway, Tory and the gang are now in city! Before they can see the wizard they decide to relax from their long journey. However they are interrupted by the wicked witch with a special little message: Surrender Tory. Alright! But before we get started I would personally like to thank ViralsInASoffleNut for pointing out a mistake I made in the last chapter (ha-ha whoops!) Anyway it's fixed and I really appreciate you pointing that out so thank you and every other person who reviews or faves or follows. I don't own The Wizard of Oz or Virals. I think I've wasted enough time...let's get started!

Chapter Seven The Merry Old Land of LIRI

The heavy doors of the city creaked open, beckoning us in. Butterflies welled up in my stomach as I crossed the grand threshold. LIRI had never ceased to amaze me. Everything I'd seen in this land had blown me away. But I must say The Steel and Glass City took the prize. High stainless steel arches rose way above our heads. Glass architecture wove its way throughout the city. People in lab coats hustled about, clutching clipboards and updating projects.

At the entrance stood a friendly looking man, waiting for us, "What brings you young travelers to our glorious city?"

I shrugged and smiled, "We're here to see the wizard."

He stopped for a moment as if to say something but then looked at my ruby shoes and waved the doubt off. "Why yes of course. First, maybe we should get you to a place where you can rest up."

The group nodded their heads eagerly. We all liked that idea, especially me. Long journey + pitchy shoes= not so fun time.

The man smiled again, "Let me escort you then."

We zipped right through the city, slipping past the mob of white coat clad scientists. We moved so fast it was hard to take everything in. It just hit me like bam! Here we are in LIRI, in The Steel and Glass City. Then we came into an abrupt stop, the man turned around and gestured to another door.

"Here we are. You can tidy up at bit here before you see the wizard."

Well, don't mind if I do.

We sat in a long rectangular room, stations lining the walls all set up for us. Although why they have stations specifically for scarecrows, tin men, and lions I do not know. Ben sat on a long table in the farthest corner, being all stitched and stuffed. All the rips and frays in his shirt we're sewn up. Bits of sticking out straw were put back into place. He looked rather uncomfortable on that table with people poking and prodding him.

Next to him was Shelton, his tin being all shined up. He moaned and sighed like he was getting a deep tissue massage. I shot a look over at Hi, who was being treated like the freaking Prince of France. Complete with ladies filing his nails and feeding him cherries.

"How ya feeling over there Hi?" I called over.

"Like a pimp in the club."

"Nice."

As for me, I felt like I was getting dolled up for Cotillion. My hair was let down from the pony tail and was combed and curled up. I had to admit, it felt kind of nice to be made over this way; none of it felt fake. A girl to my right flicked the last bit of eyeliner on my lids and handed me a lab coat.

"You can wear this as well if you would like." She said.

I took the white crisp jacket gratefully and pulled it over my rumpled clothes.

"Thank you." I told the ladies.

They nodded politely and helped me out of the chair.

The boys stood up as well and joined me on the stairs by the exit.

"Enjoy your stay at the Steel and Glass City." They chimed in unison.

We waved them goodbye and plunged into the city.

Hi and Shelton ran forward, gaping like a pair of kids in a candy store. Ben and I hung with Coop, enjoying the scenery on a less attention drawing level. We were both silent watching the two defuses commence with their antics, hoping they wouldn't break anything. However, after a while Ben broke the silence.

"You look nice."

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

I poked him in the stomach. It felt less thrown together. The straw felt harder packed and strong. (AN: Yes! I am describing his muscles. You're welcome!) I saw a little sliver of a smile pull up on his lips. A true rarity of his but wonderful to see none the less. However it vanished as quickly as it had come.

Ben and I sat down on a small fountain under an open roof.

"So we're finally here. You nervous about seeing the wizard?" he asked.

I hadn't had much time to think about what it would be like. But now that we were finally here, it all just hit me.

"Yeah, a little bit. I'm just wondering, y'know…if he can really send me home?"

"I'm sure he can."

"And if he doesn't?" I couldn't help but doubt the whole situation, like it would all come crumbling down.

I expected Ben to shrug or something. Instead he just looked my right in the eyes, leaning in close, "If he doesn't…than he's not a very good wizard, is he?" he whispered.

Ben wasn't one to say much. But when he did, he always knew exactly what to say.

"No, I guess not." I replied, smiling a bit.

"And if it doesn't end up working out… I guess you could always just stay here with us." Ben said in a low voice.

Although I would be devastated to never see Kit again or return to my old life, I guess it wouldn't be the worst possible outcome in the world. At the very least, I would have my friends.

"That'd be great." I said, "But for now, I just wanna focus on getting back home. That's what I want."

Ben nodded, "Yeah, that's what we all want for you."

"Oh Ben…" I was about to say something, perhaps something cheesy and sappy to his response. But before I could finish, I was cut off by the sounds of commotion. Dozens of people crowded around where the ceiling opened up to the sky, pointing and gasping. I noticed the two boys had run off towards the crowd. Ben and I sprang up and joined Hi and Shelton who were speaking in hushed whispers.

"What's going on!?" I yelled over the noise of the crowd.

"Look up there." Shelton pointed skyward.

I looked and gasped. Madison flew high above on a broom stick, black smoke trailing behind her. Soon enough the black smoke spelled out something. Two single words that spoke volumes in my ears and sent shivers down my spine:

Surrender Tory

People still pointed and shouted. I caught bits and pieces of the crowd's conversation.
"Tory? Who's Tory!?"

"The wizard will know!"

"Yes the wizard!"

The crowd rushed over to pair of huge pair of double doors. They were stopped by a guard, who was sitting by the door. She waved her hands around, urging the mob to be calm.

"Here now! Don't panic! Don't panic! Wait a minute, calm down!" The crowd persisted to push, desperately trying to get through the doors.

"HEY!" the guard roared like a dragon. Even though the LIRI assistants blocked her face, I knew immediately who it was. Cordelia Hoke, The Dragon. Back at LIRI, she was the security guard in front of my dad's office. A complete beast of a woman.

"There is nothing to worry about. I assure you we will take care of it. Now go! Go on!" she barked.

Slowly the crowd thinned out, going back to their usual business. The witch had left and the message had faded but there was still a sense of uneasiness among the Steel and Glass employees. After a couple minutes we were the only ones left in the square.

I turned to my companions, "Hey guys, now's our chance." Now that the Hoke wasn't occupied, we could finally inquire about seeing the wizard. Now, getting her to agree was going to be the hard part.

"You sure you wanna go through with this? She looks like she'll bite our heads off the second we got close." Shelton's knees buckled as he peeked over my shoulder at the Dragon.

True Hoke didn't exactly fancy us back at home but there was always ways. "Don't worry guys, I got this." I whispered.

I took a deep breath, put on a friendly smile, and waltzed up.

"Hi."

She looked up from her magazine and stared pointedly at us, "May I help you?" she asked in a monotone voice.

Get straight to the point. I thought.

"Please, ma'am we're here to see the wizard. All four of us."

Hoke narrowed her eyes, not a good sign. "No one is permitted to see the wizard. Especially not a bunch of kids like yourselves. He is not here to solve all the world's problems."

"And to think I got all dressed up for nothing." Hi muttered. Ben popped the back of his head.

"Shut it lion and let her handle it." he hissed.

My heart skipped, this wasn't looking good. Even still I persisted forward. "Please, miss, we must. This is important." Desperation filled my voice.

"Did you even hear me? When I say no one I mean it, young lady." she snapped.

I was about to give up when Shelton cut in, "But she's Tory!"

Hoke raised an eyebrow, "The Witch's Tory?"

We all nodded madly.

Reluctantly she put down her magazine and bit her lip, "Well I suppose that does make a difference." she straightened up, "I shall announce you at once." she turned and disappeared through the doors.

One step closer...

Okay guys that's it for this chapter! Once again, I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long. I swear I'll never do that again! Anyway I hope you enjoyed and I'll (hopefully) be back with another chapter soon. Bye!