Meanwhile in the forest, while the group of travelers were walking much further down the yellow brick road through the dark forest.
Scarecrow: As soon as I get my brain, I'll become a book-smart genius! Or better yet, I could create inventions the Land of Oz has never seen before!
Tin Man: And when I get my heart, I will feel emotions of all kind that I've dreamed of! Joy, pain, sadness, and jealousy!
Lion: After I get my courage, I'll become King of the Ozian Forest! I'll bet I could fight a herd of elephants or a even whole pack of wolves!
Listening to her friends talking about their dreams and their wishes made Dorothy smile. But when she thought about her wish to get home, Dorothy realized that if she returned to Kansas, she might never see her new friends again.
Dorothy: Oh Toto, the Land of Oz is a wonderful place and I wish we could stay, but Auntie Em and Uncle Henry will be worried sick about me. If I do leave, I might never see Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion again. But there's that Wicked Witch who wants to kill me because she believes I killed her sister on purpose and stole her sister's magic shoes. She might even hurt my friends if she knew about them.
Toto looked up at his mistress with a saddened expression. He understood her feeling, and he grew to love Oz as much as she did, but he wanted to go home like she did.
Lion: How about you, Dorothy? What are you going to do when the Wizard grants your wish?
Dorothy: Huh? Oh! Well, I'll be glad to be reunited with my Auntie Em and Uncle Henry again. Who knows? Maybe I'll be home in time for supper.
The guys chuckled and Dorothy smiled. But then they stopped suddenly when they found their path cut off by a great gulf in the middle of the road.
Scarecrow: Whoa! Looks like the road ends here.
Lion: Oh great! Now what?
Tin Man: We could make camp and figure out a plan to get across.
Lion: I don't know about that. There are other wild animals in the forest that could kill us.
Dorothy: Maybe there's a bridge around here somewhere that we could cross. How hard can it be?
Just then, a deep rumbling growl came from the forest behind them. It sent a cold chill down their spines as they trembled.
Scarecrow: What was that?
Lion: It must be a kalidah.
Dorothy: What's a kalidah?
Lion: They're monsters with the heads of tiger and the bodies of bears, with long sharp fangs, and they're murderous beasts.
Tin Man: (sarcastic) Ok, now you're just trying to scare us.
Lion: You don't believe me? Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you, tin can.
Dorothy's face was as pale as a ghost as she stared into the dark distance of the woods behind them. Toto trembled in her arms when he saw something that made his mistress stand frozen with fear. There was something in the woods that was coming up towards them, causing several trees to move slightly as if a giant's footsteps were moving them. But the guys didn't seem to notice this.
Dorothy: (terrified) Guys…
Tin Man: Tin Can?! Oh, how dare you call me that! You're always afraid of everything, but you still like to pick on me!
Scarecrow: Would you two knuckleheads quit it! We need to get to Emerald City as soon as possible! This is no time for bickering!
Dorothy: (terrified) Guys…
Lion: But he started it!
Tin Man: Did not!
Lion: Did too!
Scarecrow: I said QUIT IT! Do you wanna get your heart and courage or not?!
Dorothy: (yells) GUYS! Turn around!
The guys looked at Dorothy, perplexed by what she meant, when a dark shadow loomed over them. Standing before them was the most fearsome creature they had ever seen. The creature had the head of a tiger and the body of a bear. The flashing green eyes and dripping jaws of the beast frightened the group so much that the Tin Man jumped into the Lion's arms, Scooby Doo style.
Tin Man: From now on, I'll believe anything you say about kalidahs!
Lion: Glad to hear it!
The kalidah raised its large paw to strike, but the travelers dodged the kalidah's attack. Dorothy's foot got caught on a slightly moving green weed that grew from an old tree. She desperately tried to free herself as the kalidah came closer to her. Toto tried to help by biting on the kalidah's long tail, but the kalidah swatted him away.
Dorothy: HELP!
The guys stopped running and looked back. They could see Dorothy was in grave danger when the kalidah approached her. The Tin Man bravely rushed forward, his axe in the air, and attended to deliver a blow to the kalidah's head, but it was the kalidah who delivered the blow to the tin man, sending him rolling along the yellow brick road like a trash can. The Scarecrow tried throwing large rocks at the monster, but it didn't hurt the kalidah much as it smacked the straw man into a tree that stood close to the gulf.
The Cowardly Lion stood shaking like a rattlesnake's tail as he watched his brave friends get knocked out in the fight. He wanted to help, but he didn't have the guts to do it. The kalidah turned its attention on Dorothy and pinned its large paw down hard on her to keep her from moving. The kalidah roared as it raised its right paw, ready to deliver the final blow on Dorothy, who was screaming in terror.
But as the Lion watched this gruesome sight and listened to Dorothy's cries, something snapped inside of him. His eyes ablaze with rage, his fangs were bared, and he let out the loudest roar anyone had ever heard. The kalidah looked up, just to see the Lion pounce right on his head and face. The kalidah reared back as it tried to shake the Lion off, as the Lion bit and scratched wildly, trying to defend Dorothy. Dorothy picked up Toto and ran back to her friends, who had recovered from the kalidah's blows, and they all watched in amazement as the Lion fought back against the monster.
Dorothy: Go, Lion! Rip his ears off!
Tin Man: Oh, he might not hold that monster back for long. We got to figure out a way to escape and quick.
Then, the Scarecrow eyed the large tree that stood next to the gulf, then studied the size of the tree and the length of the gulf, and an idea came to his brilliantly brainless mind.
Scarecrow: I've got a plan! Tin Man, chop down that tree! It will fall to the other side of the cliff, that way we can cross over!
Tin Man: Why, that's a brilliant idea!
Dorothy: Scarecrow, you're so smart!
The Scarecrow blushed and rubbed the back of his head. The Tin Man immediately began chopping away at the end of the tree. Meanwhile, the Lion had managed to climb onto the kalidah's back and he buried his fangs in the kalidah's throat. The kalidah roared painfully, then violently shook the Lion right off his back.
At that time, the tree the Tin Man had been chopping at gave way and fell across the gulf, with its top branches reaching the other side of the gulf. The Tin Man, Toto, the Scarecrow, and Dorothy started to cross, but the tree shook so violently, due to the kalidah getting on the log bridge, that Dorothy lost her footing and fell. Luckily, the Scarecrow grabbed onto her wrist and held it tightly.
Dorothy: Help! Scarecrow!
Scarecrow: Hang on, Dorothy! Don't let go!
The kalidah attempted to pounce on Dorothy and the Scarecrow as they both hung onto the tree trunk for dear life, when the Lion came out of nowhere and slashed the kalidah right in the face, leaving it half blind. The Lion quickly helped the Scarecrow pull Dorothy to safety and together they crossed the log bridge to the other side, where the Tin Man and Toto were waiting.
The kalidah was now angrier than ever as it lunged towards the ledge where Dorothy and her friends stood. But due to the kalidah's heavy weight, the log bridge broke when the kalidah landed at the end of the bridge, and fell down with the broken tree to the ravine below. The travelers sighed with relief.
Tin Man: Whew! We made it. We're safe.
Scarecrow: You all right, Dorothy?
Dorothy: I'm fine. But we should thank Lion. He saved our lives.
Scarecrow: Thanks, Lion. You saved us!
Tin Man: I have to admit, you're a brave lion.
Lion: I wasn't brave, I was scared for Dorothy! That thing was gonna eat her up-Oomph!
Dorothy cut him off by giving him a big hug, and the Lion couldn't resist giving her a little squeeze back.
But in the Witch's castle, the Wicked Witch had watched the whole thing through her green crystal ball, and was furious.
Wicked Witch: Curse that lion! He should've been a coward! I must've underestimated him. They're almost out of the woods and I still haven't got a plan to stop them.
After thinking it over, the Witch came up with another idea to stop Dorothy and her friends.
Wicked Witch: Aha, I've got it! Those fools will be coming to a field of yellow buttercups just outside the city. I'll turn those buttercups into a field of scarlet red poppies, and put a little something in them to keep them from reaching Emerald City. Ha, ha, ha, ha! When I gain those ruby slippers, my power will be the greatest in all of Oz!
Back to Dorothy and her friends, they had finally reached the end of the forest, where they came to a green gate that had the letters OZ carved on top. They pushed through the green gates, then stopped and pointed to what filled them with awe and joy.
Dorothy: Look! There's Emerald City!
Just up ahead was the famous Emerald City. The sun's rays made the city sparkle like real emeralds. Dorothy felt she was getting every step closer to home. Her friends felt the same way, they would soon get their wishes come true.
Tin Man: Oh my! It's beautiful!
Dorothy: The Wizard must be a lucky guy to live in a city like that!
Lion: Well c'mon then, what are we waiting for?
Scarecrow: Nothing, let's hurry!
The foursome ran down the yellow brick road, passing a field of beautiful yellow buttercups. But they failed to notice that the color of the flowers changed to scarlet red, and a powerful odor rose out of the flowers and drifted towards Dorothy. Every breath she made when running, she unknowingly inhaled the scent of the poppies. Then, she began to feel light-headed and drowsy.
Dorothy: Oh, what's happening to me? I can't run anymore. I'm so sleepy. I need to lie down.
The fields of grass and poppies magically spread over the yellow brick road and Dorothy passed out among the field of poppies. The Scarecrow happened to look back and saw Dorothy fall among the flowers and he rushed back to her.
Scarecrow: Dorothy, what's wrong? Are you hurt? C'mon, wake up! Guys, over here!
The Tin Man and the Lion looked back and saw the Scarecrow motioning them to come over to him, which they did.
Scarecrow: Dorothy just passed out, now she won't wake up! And look at Toto, he's asleep too!
It was true. Toto had fallen prey to the scent of the poppies and he lay beside his mistress.
Lion: Why did she do that for?
Scarecrow: I don't know, but something might be wrong.
Tin Man: (wails) Oh, Dorothy! Please wake up! We're nearly there!
In her castle chamber, the Witch cackled as she watched the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion trying desperately to wake Dorothy from her slumber.
Wicked Witch: You can shout her name out all you want! There's nothing you can do to help her! She'll never hear your voices again when I get through with her! Now those ruby slippers will be mine! Nikko, fetch me my broomstick, but make sure the castle jester keeps his hands off it!
Back out in the field of poppies, the poppy's odor got into Lion's nostrils and he too began to feel drowsy.
Lion: Come to think of it, forty winks won't be so bad. (passes out)
Scarecrow: Don't you start it too, Lion!
Tin Man: (cries) Oh, look at him! This is terrible!
Scarecrow: Don't cry, you'll rust yourself again! Look! The whole field is filled with poppies! But how?
Tin Man: Poppies?! That's what's putting them to sleep! What'll we do? Help! Help!
Scarecrow: It's no use screaming at a time like this! Nobody will hear you! Oh, what the heck? Help! Somebody help us! No, Tin Man, don't rust on me like this! Won't somebody help me?! Anybody?! Please!
A bright pink bubble floated past the Scarecrow, sprinkling a shower of snowflakes onto the poppy field. These snowflakes were enchanted, to destroy the sleeping odor from the poppies. The minute the snowflakes touched the poppies, the scarlet red flowers turned to ice.
Scarecrow: It's snowing! And the poppies are freezing up! Maybe it will help...or maybe not.
The Lion sat and stretched his arms out, and let out a big yawn, showing his teeth. Dorothy's eyes fluttered open as she sat and yawned. The Scarecrow was overjoyed to see Dorothy awake and he embraced her.
Scarecrow: Dorothy! You're waking up! Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried about you.
Dorothy: Um, Scarecrow? Why is it snowing?
Lion: (yawns) Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?
Dorothy: Look! Tin Man's rusted again! Give me the oil can, where's the oil can?
Lion: Uh, I think I know where it is.
Scarecrow: Where?
Lion: I'm sitting on it.
Scarecrow: Ugh. Just give it to me!
At the Witch's castle, the Wicked Witch had seen what had happened through her crystal ball. She knew who caused the enchanted snowflakes and was furious.
Wicked Witch: WHAT?! Glinda, you fool! You're ruining everything! Grrr! Why is it that somebody always helps that Dorothy girl?! But shoes or no shoes, I'm still great enough to conquer her!
Picking up the broomstick Nikko handed her, the Witch got up to the window sill to take off.
Wicked Witch: I'll just have to let my presence be known to her idiot friends and to the entire city to let them know this; death to those who stand in my way who help Dorothy Gale! Now, to Emerald City as fast as lightning!
The Witch hopped on her broomstick and flew circles around the tower before flying off for Emerald City, cackling wickedly.