Chapter 11
I wound them up with my Key, the silver, gold and emerald one that Glinda gave to me. I remembered she told me it could be used to open anything, and I figured for TikTok, if it worked for him, then why not the other Tik-Toks? Sure enough it worked, and the two of them were so overwhelmed by something, that they both collapsed and sat down on the cave floor.
"What's the matter Tik-Toks?" Natalee asked kneeling down next to them.
"So much wickedness, so much evil, and there was fire. Lots and lots of fire. And water. Then there was black and green…" One of the Tik-Toks tried to remember. The other one was recalling things as well, and was able to recount the last things they remembered easier.
"We witnessed the Witch's revival from back then, you know, after Dorothy tried to kill her. It was terrifying. She was very tall, and so angry, with everything." Tik-Tok said.. We all gathered around him, and I cringed in having the memories of that green skinned insanely ill tempered Witch come back.
"The Flying Monkeys were all around and making their usual whooping sound, cheering for her resuscitation. When she finally stood up, her hat and dress still wet from Dorothy's water, she pointed her broom at us as if it were a gun, and then we landed here, and wound down. Our original mission was to give the Grimmerie back to Queen Galinda, but somehow I doubt she's still in charge." He finished. It was very interesting to see this from their view, and that they had really been sort of shut down, they must have. All of Oz celebrated the return of Lady Tip, now Ozma Queen of all things Oz, for at least a month. The fact they didn't know, and were for some reason pronouncing her name GA-linda, was very strange to us. Liseli and TikTok informed the two new Tik-Toks of the events that took place during the time they were here shut down and then he told us to stay her while he and his two other old buddies went back to the Emerald City to re-acquaint with Ozma, and of course to say hello to Glinda.
"Alright but where are we supposed to go now, we don't have any idea where we are! And, we're gonna meet the Nome King, we need all the help we can get it is not going to be easy to get to him!" Anthony explained. I was very upset and also worried. The Nomes had already proven that they were strong and quick enough to hurt me, what if something happened to Natalee? I couldn't let that happen so I tried to force Tik-Tok to stay here and help us, but Tik-Tok was insistent, and he left with the other two. Natalee was uneasy.
"Anthony why did you let him go with out asking me? You know how I feel about the Nomes." Natalee said worriedly.
"I tried to have him stay, but he wouldn't listen." I tried to tell her, and believe me after the incident with my back, I was a little afraid too. But, they had already left so now it was just me, Liseli, and Natalee. I used my only knowledge of The Nome King and tried to find the next path to take. The final goal of our long mission, to find the Nome King himself, and depose of him.
We had only exited the tunnel when all of a sudden, a sleigh pulled by the loudest screeching wheeled people. They were insanely fast, and came to a screeching halt and then stopped right in front of us. Then, of all people to greet us, the Evil Princess Langwidere stood up in the carriage. She pointed a very long sword at us and held her lightning bolt wand at us.
"YOU!" I screamed. I swung out my staff and immediately activated the ability to shoot fire, making the sapphire glowing red and Natalee drew four arrows.
"Go back to the shadows of the Vinkus!" Natalee screamed. Langwidere climbed down with her metal spikes on her shoulders clinking together. Her multi colored cape imitating gown flowing behind her.
"YOU ARE TRESSPASSING ON THE NOME KING'S TERRITORY! And, Natalee, you are looking especially beautiful tonight," Langwidere very oddly and most unexpectedly complimented. Then I remembered, Langwidere was surprisingly narcissistic. To the point where she now has 40 different heads, that she exchanges every day, to be every form of beautiful. Now it seemed, Natalee's head was her goal.
"What are you saying?" Anthony asked the evil Princess.
"I think I'll lock you in my tower again, except this time, you won't escape, AND THEN I WILL CUT YOUR HEAD OFF AND ADD YOU TO MY COLLECTION! HOW DARE YOU TRESSPASS HERE MY BEAUTY!"
"I THINK YOU WILL NOT!" Natalee said, she fired her arrows at her, and I shot my fire at Langwidere.
She was struck by the fire, and her dress caught on fire. She responded by pounding her wand in the air, and then it extended into a full length staff, and fired electricity and poisonous liquid at us. We dodged the poison stuff but Natalee got hit by the electricity and was knocked unconscious. Langwidere fired a repulse spell at me, sending me down on my back a few yards away. Liseli had already flown for cover, assuming that we would win the fight again, but this time was different. I tried to get back on my feet and run to Natalee so I kept firing fire balls out of my staff at Langwidere but she was too fast. The fire balls landed on the ground in front of them, and Langwidere stole Natalee's still body, and chained her in her carriage. She whipped the Wheelers and they flew away in speed as Langwidere screamed in victory and laughed.
"HER HEAD IS MINE NOW ANTHONY! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" She spited. I was terrified. Natalee had been kidnapped by a Witch whose power was chopping off girls heads!