Chapter Ten- The Wizard of Oz
They were led through the Emerald City. It was just as green and marvelous as they had been told it would be. Green paths, green buildings, green cloths and green everything.
This truly was a great city.
Aizen and his company were led to the palace where the Great Wizard lived. They sat in a waiting room that was of course just as emerald green as everything else.
The guide led them to a girl. She wore of course green and had a wore an almost helmet like ornament on her head. Two horns came out of the helmet, the left horn looks as if it had been cut off, and the left half of the mask covered her left eye.
She looked at them a bored expression on her face.
"These are the strangers that appeared on our doorstep." Their guide said. "and the demand to see the great Oz,"
She smirked. "They want to see the Oz?" She placed her hands on her hips. "Okay. Step inside and I'll deliver you're message to him." her tone made it sound as if she was just wasting her time. After all, they had been told by quite a few that no one saw Oz.
They followed the girl through the hallways and into an emerald green waiting room. She left them to go inform the wizard of their arrival.
They waited in silence. Well, almost silent. Gin's purring filled the silence, as Aizen absentmindedly scratched behind the fox's ears.
At last the girl returned. A look of slight surprise on her face. "The Great Oz will see you. But you each have to see him separately. You may not go together."
"Very well," agreed Aizen.
"Sir. You will be first." she nodded towards Aizen. He followed her, Grimmjow at his side.
"You know," sighed the girl. "No one gets to see the Oz. But I mentioned your emerald sword and glasses in passing and he agreed. You must be some kind of sorcerer."
Another person calling him a sorcerer. He was beginning to believe it himself.
She stopped in front of the door. "In there the Great Oz waits for you."
Aizen nodded and pushed open the door. He wasn't afraid. More curious then anything else. As he entered he noted that the room was very large. A round dome ceiling. And in the middle was a platform that stood a foot off the ground. Standing on the platform was a woman.
In her hands she held a large circular mirror. She had long dark hair that curled at the ends. Flowers in her hair. Crescent moon patterns on her kimono. A flawless face. She was so familiar. Someone he felt he knew almost as well as himself. Yet it almost killed him that he did not know her name.
"I am the great and powerful Oz," she said. Her voice soft and angelic.
Everything in his soul told him that was not her name. Her name was not Oz.
She looked upon him kindly.
"You're name sir?" she asked.
The white panther nudged him with his large head.
"I am Aizen Sousuke," he said bowing slightly.
She smiled kindly. "May I ask, where did you get that sword?"
"He glanced down at the blade attached to his hip. "It was given to me by the Good Wizard of the North."
"Why would he give you that blade?"
"I happened to kill the previous owner of the blade. And it was my reward for freeing the people to the East."
"And the glasses?"
He had them safely tucked away now. "Another gift from the Wizard of the North, to help protect me."
She nodded. "And what do you wish from me? Why are you here?"
"To get back home. I came here by mistake. I was told that you were powerful enough to send me back."
In her mirror an image of a large white palace appeared. A night sky above it, white sands below it. His home. Vague memories of this place slowly came to him. Yes. That was his home. He would stare out the open windows at the moon. Always a crescent moon. The sky never changed. Sitting on the ledge, beside him would be someone. Someone..
"Why should I send you home?"
He focused back to her. "What?" he cleared his throat. "I was hoping that you, who is great and good and powerful, would find it in your-"
"But you were powerful enough to defeat the Wizard of the East."
"That was merely a fluke."
"I have no reason to help you." she said simply. "In this country everyone must pay for what they get. If you want me to send you home you must help me."
That sounded fair enough. "What can I do for you."
"As you know there is a Good Wizard of the North. And there was a Wicked Wizard of the East. There are also Witches of the West and South. The South is good. The West is bad. I need you to kill the Witch of the West."
"I don't think I can," he admitted.
"You defeated the Wizard of the East, this is no different."
"I am afraid it is."
"You have two powerful charms. There is very little you can't do. When you defeat her, bring me proof that she has been defeated and I will send you home."
"Very well," he bowed his head. "Thank you for your time. I will defeat the Witch for you."
"Very good."
With that he left the room and followed the girl back to the others.
"Scarecrow your next."
Ulquiorra nodded he glanced at Aizen-sama's distraught expression. Oz had denied his request? He did not have high hopes as he entered the chamber next.
Waiting for him was a large bat. It hung from the ceiling, its large wings wrapped around itself. They spoke a conversation that was very similar to Aizen's. In the end if Ulquiorra wanted to feel anything, then he would have to help Aizen defeat the Witch. He would've helped him even if he didn't get anything in the end. He wouldn't let Aizen fight the witch alone.
Next was Kaname. What he saw was a large cricket. Who also told Tousen that if he ever wanted to see he needed to defeat the Witch of the West. He agreed to do so.
Lastly was Gin. He entered the throne room. He didn't really want anything. He had just joined the group because he wanted to. So when he entered his ears were flat against his head. As he quickly tried to think of something he wanted.
What was waiting for him was a tall man with angel white wings. He held a large spear in his hand and wore chain mail and light blue roves. His eyes were shut. He looked very serious.
Gin felt nervous.
"Name?"
"I-Ichimaru Gin. Nice to meet ya,"
"Why have you come?"
Gin looked at his feet for a moment. He would like to be allowed to go in places. Not have all his friends worry about him because he's half fox. He liked being half fox though. But maybe, if half foxes were excepted. Then others like him wouldn't be rejected from the rest of the world.
He looked up at Oz. And began to explain what he would like.
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"Aizen-sama!" cheered Gin running up to the others. "I get to help ya fight the witch too!"
Aizen steadied him himself as Gin wrapped his thin limbs around him. Gin always just satisfied at not being left behind.
"Then we head West?" asked Tousen now that they were back together.
"Yes. We head West." agreed Aizen. He didn't know what to expect or how powerful the witch was going to be. But he was sure that they could get through it. They had to.
A/N
Sorry for not updating in a while. I'll do better. I had a little bit of trouble with this chapter trying to figure out what forms Oz should take. I thought about them all going in together like in the movie and just a skull but then I still went with the book making them go in separately and see the sword the spirits of their swords. Of course are bad guys swords have not been introduced in the newest arc of the show. So I had to wing it.
Kyōka Suigetsu translated is Mirror Flower, Water Moon. It sounds like a girl Zanpakutō but I assume it can turn into whatever it wants. It's all about illusions with Aizen's sword after all.
Murciélago translates into Bat. For Ulquiorra. So that's what I did.
Suzumushi translated is cricket. This is kind of an obvious one. Especially if you keep up with the manga. His was easy, if not a little lame.
Shinsō translated into divine Spear. This was the hardest. I guess I've always assumed that it was a fox. Just going by his appearance. But Gin is already a fox so I had to really think about what it would be. Devine reminds me of the heavens. So an angel is what I came up with. A serious one at that to clash with his personality. I did the best I could. I understand if no one cares for it.
I'll try and get the next chapter up sooner.