Chapter 7: Entering the City
TOF: Yes, chapter 7 is going up. I'm having so much fun writing this story.
Kai: When do you not have fun?
TOF: That's very true.
Kai: Disclaimer Tenshi…
TOF: Why bother, everyone knows I don't own the movie or Beyblade. And yes, Mr. Dickinson was the one who helped them in the last chapter. Some of you guessed that it was him. Now, have fun reading this chapter!
Kai knocked three times on the door of the bright green gate in front of the Emerald City, his companions waiting behind him eagerly.
A little trapdoor opened to reveal a silver haired teen, with a strong looking body that suggested he worked out or did martial arts and he was dressed in all green clothes.
"My name's Garland," he introduced. "I am the guardian of the door into Emerald City. State your business or go away." He said firmly. "I have things I'd much rather be doing." He added.
Kai ignored Garland's firm and indifferent voice and said, "We want to see the Wizard of Oz."
"Don't we all," Garland replied dully. "Now what do you really want?"
"We're serious." Hissed Hiro. "We need to see the Wizard of Oz."
Garland laughed lightly, as if laughing at a bad joke. "Don't you morons know? Nobody's seen the great Wizard of Oz, not even me."
"Then how do you know there is one?" asked Max puzzled.
Garland didn't answer, as he didn't have one. He snorted. "You're wasting my time…" he went to shut the trap door but Max interrupted him.
"No wait, please we need to see him." He pleaded.
"Why?" asked Garland suspiciously.
"The good Witch of the North sent us." Answered Miguel, getting thoroughly annoyed with this guy.
Garland narrowed his eyes. "Prove it."
"Kai's wearing the crimson shoes she gave him." Tyson said pointing down.
Garland looked down at Kai's feet, which were alight with crimson.
"Holy…" he murmured. Looking back up at the people, he said. "Why didn't you say so? That's a horse of a different color! C'mon in!"
The trapdoor closed, and the gate opened, to reveal the inner Emerald City, a beautiful cascade of lime, jade, olive, and every other shade of green imaginable.
And near the gate, there was a horse and buggy, all alight in green, where a silver-haired coachman dressed in green was seated.
"Hello everyone," he greeted politely. "My name's Claude and I'll be your cab driver today. Need a lift anywhere?"
"Could you take us to see the Wizard?" asked Miguel, helping Kai and Max into the buggy, as the their friends followed.
"The Wizard?" Claude gasped, then grinned. "Of course, it'll only be five minutes by horse and buggy. When you get there just inform Mystel, the keeper of Oz's chamber who you are and he'll take you to the Wizard." He informed them.
"T-thanks a lot." Said Ray. He jumped a bit, as the buggy started moving. He was also first to notice that the horse was indeed a horse of a different color since the creature kept changing colors.
The group looked around in amazement. People chattered and bustled around the city, all dressed in green shaded clothes. There were shops and parlors, as well as large houses and buildings. They'd never seen a city like this one, one that was so alive and comfortable and modern.
"It's so amazing." Uttered Kai breathlessly.
Miguel smiled and pulled Kai closer to himself. He found himself to be doing a lot more of that. This land was different from theirs and with this new threat; he wanted to make sure nothing happened to his phoenix. Not after all he's been through.
"I know. It's to bad we don't have cities like this back at home." He saw Kai nod his head in agreement.
But there peaceful moment was cut off by a sudden high pitch scream.
An Emerald City civilian was pointing up at the sky, and as others looked up, they began screaming and pointing too.
"It's the evil Wizard." Realized Kai, seeing a large plane leaving black smoke behind, spelling a message.
"Surrender Kai and the crimson shoes or suffer my wrath."
Miguel clutched Kai tighter to his chest, as the phoenix stared, shocked at the message. Max also clung to Kai tightly, getting nervous and not wanting anything to happen to the older boy.
"Who's Kai?" asked a woman.
"What are the crimson shoes?" asked a man
"The Wizard will explained it," added another woman.
"Go to the Wizard!" people started shouting and gathering to the place where the buggy had just pulled up.
"We better hurry if we want to see the Wizard." Said Hiro, getting out of the buggy, everyone following his lead. "There are a lot of people who want to see him."
A struggling guy, in his teens is at the entrance trying to calm the crowd down. He had blonde hair and a mask on, and like everyone else was dressed in green clothing.
"That must be Mystel, the one Claude mentioned." Muttered Kai.
"Silence!" shouted Mystel over the crowd, which had begun to quiet down. "Everything is alright! The Great and Powerful Oz is looking into this as we speak! So go on home, there's nothing to worry about! Get out of here; move along…" he informed the crowd.
Soon, the crowd melted away as people left until only the three bladers and their friends were left.
Hiro walked up to the blonde. "Please, we'd all like to see the Wizard."
"No body sees the Wizard. No body at all." Said Mystel.
"But he's Kai, the one with the crimson shoes!" exclaimed Tyson, pointing at the enigma.
Mystel stared wide-eyed at them. "The Wicked Wizard's Kai?" Kai nodded. "That does make a difference." He said quietly. "Wait here, I'll announce you at once."
They all sat down on the steps and waited, new hope burning in their hearts.
"Just wait, soon we'll be home." Said Miguel, Max and Kai nodded, getting excited.
"I'll have a brain." Said Tyson almost jumping up and down on the spot.
"I'll have a heart." Added Hiro while smiling.
"And I'll finally have some courage." Cheered Ray.
But their cheerfulness was short lived. The doors slammed open and Mystel came out yelling, "The Wizard said to go away!" before going back inside and slamming the door shut.
There was a shocked silence.
"Go away?" whimpered Ray.
"We came all this way for nothing." Said Tyson, looking defeated.
Max began to cry." I…I though that we would finally be able to go home."
Kai took the smaller blonde into his arms and let him cry into his chest. He rubbed Max's back soothingly; whispering gently that it's going to be ok, although Kai certainly felt like crying himself. They had come all this way only to leave with nothing.
"Don't worry Max, we'll find a way to get home." Whispered Kai.
The small blonde continued to sob, he felt Kai shift slightly, and another pair of arms around him.
Miguel wrapped his arms around the young boy and his own boyfriend. He gazed sadly at them. Max was so disappointed, and Kai looked so tired and no doubt wanted to cry himself.
"We'll find another way." Said Miguel.
"Of course we will. There must be other people besides this guy." Said Ray comfortingly.
"I just want to go home! I miss everything and everyone." Muttered Max, through his sobs.
"We know." Said Kai quietly.
It was then that Kai's ears picked up on another source of crying. He turned to look behind him and saw Mystel crying softly.
"Please don't cry anymore. I know how it feels to be so far away from home and in an unfamiliar place." He told them. "I'll get you to the Wizard." He opened the door to them.
The group stood and, after thanking Mystel, entered the hall that will lead them to they're one hope of getting their dreams…
The Wizard of Oz.
TBC…
I know, it's rushed but I just really wanted to get it done so I don't have to work on it later.
The next chapter: Our hero's meet the great Wizard of Oz…but what's this about having to kill the Wicked Wizard?
Review and I'll get the next chapter up quick!
