In a matter of hours they reached the Haunted Wood, the location of Anton's castle. Lando looked down at Luke, who was staring straight ahead into the entrance of the wood. "Ready?" he asked.

"Huh? Y-Yeah, let's go." Luke said. Luke took a deep breath, tightening his grip around Lando and Redoll's hands (or paw in Redoll's case) and they ventured forward into the darkness.

Meanwhile, in a castle deep in the heart of the western forest, a familiar witch sat in his throne room, chuckling with delight. "Yes, that's right." Anton said lowly as he watched the group enter the forest through his crystal ball. "Try and reach my humble abode if you dare." He rubbed his hands together and laughed, "Claire won't be able to save you this time, boy; you're in my domain now."

He turned to the doorway as two creatures entered; two monkeys with pale blue skin, sharp fangs, long sharp claws and a pair of bat-like wings emerging from their backs. They looked small since they were hunched over, about three to four feet tall, but when they took action they became much bigger and intimidating than any creature in Oz.

Anton motioned them to the window, "Take your army to the forest and bring me that little boy and his dog." he ordered. "I don't care what you do with the others, but the boy and dog must come to me alive and unharmed." The monkeys nodded and leapt up onto the windowsill. "And take care not to damage the ruby slippers, they are the most important. Now fly!" he commanded.

The two monkeys took off screeching loudly, calling their forces to them. In a matter of seconds, hundreds of flying monkeys were flying through the air towards the forest. Anton grinned widely as he watched his minions soar. "Yes! Fly! Fly and bring me that boy!" He rubbed his hands together gleefully.

Soon the ruby slippers would be his and their power would finally be in his grasp.

Despite it being day when they arrived, the inside of the forest made it look like night had already fallen. "I really don't like this place." Redoll said fearfully.

"You're not the only one." Lando muttered.

"Just keep your eyes open," Sharon said. "We have no idea what could happen in here."

Luke nodded, Trevor by his side. The little dog didn't seem too bothered by the terrifying atmosphere, but he was still on alert lest anything attack them. Redoll had all his senses on high alert, sniffing the air every now and then along with Trevor for any sign of danger. He suddenly let out a small squeak and jumped, startling everybody.

"What is it?" Luke asked.

"I heard something." Redoll said.

Lando looked around and spied a large crow sitting on a branch. "It's a just a crow Redoll." he sighed. Redoll deflated in relief and looked at the ground sheepishly. They continued further into the wood, but they couldn't find the witch's castle anywhere.

"You would think it would be easy to spot a giant castle." Lando said irritably.

"Maybe we're just not far enough." Luke suggested. They walked a few more steps when Redoll suddenly froze.

"What is it this time?" Sharon asked, hoping it wasn't another false alarm.

"I hear something…" Redoll muttered, frowning in confusion as his ears twitched. "It sounds like...flapping...like wings."

"Are you sure it's not another crow?" Lando asked skeptically but Redoll shook his head, "I don't think so, I hear a lot of them, and they sound big...and I hear something else...it sounds high pitched."

Trevor then began to growl and ran up, barking at the sky. The group slowly looked up in the sky to see multiple figures flying towards them. "Are those monkeys?" Luke asked.

Trevor continued to growl and Luke picked up the words, "They're bad monkeys! They're going to attack!" The dog wasn't the only one picking up danger as the group began to back away as the angry chatters of the monkeys grew louder as they approached.

"Run, run!" Lando yelled and the group took off into the trees. The monkeys landed all around them, dropping down in different places, forcing the group to split up. Sharon pulled out her axe and swung it fiercely at the creatures approaching her, but there were too many of them. She grit her teeth and fought her hardest, trying to ignore the pain of the monkey's claws putting scratches on her tin body. She glanced around every now and then for the others until she heard the sound of cloth tearing.

"Lando!" she screamed. She swung more fiercely trying to push her way through the army of monkeys looking around desperately for her friend.

Redoll bounded away on all fours, hoping to escape when he heard Trevor barking in the distance. He turned to see Luke, running for his life from a pair of monkeys. Redoll's eyes widened as Luke tripped on a root, sending him sprawling to the ground. Luke scrambled to get up, but the monkeys were already hovering over him and reaching towards him.

Luke gazed up at them in fear when they were suddenly knocked aside by a large ball of tan fur. "Redoll!" Luke exclaimed.

"Run Luke, hurry!" The lion exclaimed. Luke nodded and got up as more monkeys came their way. But instead of running, Redoll stood his ground, ready to face the monsters. He had to protect Luke, no matter what!

Luke started to run with Trevor right behind him when he heard a loud growl from behind him. Luke knew that kind of growl; it was a growl of pain. "Redoll!" Luke yelled, starting to slow down.

"Go Luke!" Redoll yelled, his voice sounding strained. "Run! Now!"

Luke bit his lip and forced his legs to keep moving, but they didn't keep moving for long. His heart nearly stopped as he heard the sounds of claws ripping into flesh and fur ripping followed by fierce growls and yelps of pain. Luke stopped running and turned looking around frantically among the dark trees for his friends. He could hear the sound of cloth tearing and metal being knocked around. They were getting killed out there!

This wasn't what he wanted...he never wanted them to get hurt!

Luke made to run back to them when something grabbed the back of his shirt. "Hey!" He was lifted into the air and turned to see that he was looking right into the face of one of the monkeys. "Put me down!" Luke yelled, kicking and flailing. The monkey simply tucked Luke under his arm, his struggles not hindering him in the slightest. "Put me down! Let me go!"

Luke's eyes widened in fear as the monkey spread his wings and began to take off. "No! NO! Put me down!" Luke screamed. "Lando! Sharon! Redoll! Help me!" He heard barking below from Trevor and Luke watched as the little dog was easily scooped up by another monkey. "No, Trevor!" Luke pounded and kicked as hard as he could against his captor but to no avail.

"Luke!"

He wasn't sure which of his companions called his name, but it was quickly smothered by the angry cries of the monkeys. Luke struggled even more as he felt his heart sink; the figures of Lando, Sharon, and Redoll had been completely devoured by the monkeys.

Tears of fear and frustration came to his eyes as he was high up in the sky with the other monkeys. It was too late; if he got free now, the fall would surely kill him. He looked up in fear as the tall shadow of Anton's castle began to come into view.

He was as good as dead.

I decided to go ahead and give you a cliff hanger to enjoy for the week (Ain't I a sweetie?). Enjoy the suspense!