Word spread quickly about the Wizard's actions. Luke and his friends were dubbed as national heroes, as Alford humbly admitted that it was their heroics that saved Oz from the wrath of Anton for good. However, the Emerald city seemed quite torn at the news that the Wizard was leaving. Luke was almost afraid that they would start an uproar, but a few comforting words from the Wizard calmed them down straight away. This man really did have some kind of magic hold over these people, despite not being a real wizard.
A day later, a ceremony was held to bid farewell to the Wizard, Paul, and Luke. The three travelers and Trevor stood in the balloon, while Lando, Sharon, and Redoll stood around the basket with the guards. Everyone cheered loudly until Alford raised his hands to quiet them down.
"Citizens of Oz!" he said loudly. "While I am saddened to have to leave this wonderful place, you need not worry about my position." he said. "As my final act, I pass on my leadership to Lando the Scarecrow, with the assistance of Sharon the Tin Woman and Redoll the Lion whose intelligence, heart and courage will no doubt lead this land to better future!"
The crowd erupted into more cheers while Lando waved proudly while Sharon and Redoll smiled and nodded. Luke felt relieved that his friends had been accepted so easily as the new 'Wizard' so to speak. As Paul began undoing the ropes keeping the balloon grounded, Luke couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. He was going to miss this amazing place, despite all its dangers.
He suddenly felt a vibration in his hands, coming from Trevor. The dog was growling at something. Luke looked to see that one of the Oz citizens was holding a cat in her arms. Before Luke could utter a word, Trevor let out a snarl and leapt from Luke's arms and out of the balloon. "Trevor!" Luke cried. He grabbed the edge of the basket and vaulted out of the basket. "Hold on Mr. Alford! I'll be right back!" Luke said quickly before giving chase.
Sharon and Redoll quickly ran after him to help, but their absence caused the ropes to loosen. Paul had already untied them and the balloon was ready for liftoff, unable and unwilling to wait for more passengers. Luke scooped Trevor into his arms, giving him a glare that said he would deal with him later, but looked up just in time to see the balloon lifting off the ground. Lando and a few other guards tried to bring it back down but it was no use.
"No! Wait!" Luke cried, running back onto the podium. "Come back! Mr. Alford, come back!" This couldn't be happening! Not now, of all times! He could see Alford and Paul rummaging about as if looking for some switch or lever to make the balloon land, but they had no luck.
"I can't come back!" Alford responded. "I don't know how to steer this thing!" To their credit, they continued to try and attempt to steer the balloon back while they waved goodbye to the cheering citizens of Oz.
Luke watched sadly as the balloon got higher and higher with no signs of turning back. He could feel Lando, Sharon, and Redoll standing behind him, ready to comfort him as he desperately needed it. "Now what am I going to do?" Luke murmured sadly.
Trevor whined loudly, looking up at Luke apologetically. "I'm sorry Luke...I just couldn't help myself…" he said sadly.
Luke simply pet his head, "It's okay Trevor, it's not your fault." he said softly. How could he possibly blame Trevor for giving into his instincts? Luke swallowed as he felt a lump come to his throat, his eyes hidden behind the rim of his cap. He must have been visibly shaking because he felt his friends gather closer to him.
"Luke…" Lando said slowly, struggling with what to say as he placed his gloved hand on his head. "It'll be okay."
"You...you can stay with us." Redoll offered.
"We'll stay together." Sharon agreed, grasping his shoulder. "We all love you Luke, you won't be alone here." Surprisingly, their words only proceeded to prompt the tears even more from Luke.
"Thanks you guys but...I don't know." he said, his voice cracking. "I just...I can't bear to think about leaving the Professor forever." he said. "He and Emmy have probably stopped looking for me by now…" The images of his friends and family's sad faces flashed through his mind again as tears began to leak from his eyes. "I just wish I knew what to do!" Trevor licked his teary face as his friends all looked at one another, at a loss of how to console the boy.
Something then flashed in the sky. Lando looked up and his eyes widened. He shook Luke's shoulder slightly, "Luke, there may be help for you yet." Luke looked up in confusion at the scarecrow to see him pointing to the sky. He followed his finger and his expression matched everyone's in the square. A very familiar bubble was floating down towards the city.
The citizens parted to create a path and the bubble landed, revealing Claire in all her beauty. She walked towards Luke and his friends, nodding politely as the citizens she passed all bowed in greeting. "Miss Claire." Luke said softly as she reached him. She smiled down at him and Luke felt his hope rise again. "Please Miss Claire, will you help me?" he asked. "Can you help me?"
Claire placed a hand on his shoulder, "You don't need my help any longer Luke." she answered. "You've had the power to go home all this time."
Luke's eyes widened, "R-Really?"
"Why didn't you tell him before?" Lando asked.
"Because he needed to discover it for himself." Claire answered. "Luke, you may not realize it, but you've grown so much since coming here; you've made many friends and passed so many trials to get to where you are now."
Luke looked at the ground letting her words sink in. She was right. He had come to this place by pure accident, all because a stupid fit of jealousy. His attitude and actions had gotten him trapped in that sandstorm and in that shed, and even from the very beginning he had a feeling that getting back to the Professor wasn't going to be easy. Everyone he had met on this journey had taught him something; Lando, Sharon, Redoll, Alford, Claire, and in a twisted way, Anton.
Just because the Professor's friends were older than him and had history with the Professor, it didn't mean that Luke couldn't befriend them. Wherever he went with the Professor, friends were always sure to appear and Monte d'Or was no different. If had just given them a chance, maybe he wouldn't have needed to be reminded of such a simple lesson. "I understand." Luke said softly but firmly.
Claire looked at him with the brightest smile he's ever seen. "I knew you would." she said.
"But...how can I get back?" Luke asked.
Claire laughed, "The answer is right there on your feet."
Luke looked down at the ruby shoes, the gems glittering up at him as they were smiling up at him. He looked back at Claire, "You mean…"
Claire nodded, "You've heard that those shoes have great power; they can grant you any wish, but only if their magic deems you worthy."
Luke nodded; that explained why the shoes had rejected Anton that time in the castle. "So...Trevor and I can go home whenever I want?"
"Whenever you want." Claire confirmed.
Luke felt so happy he might burst. He could finally go home! His smile faded when he heard a small sniffle behind him. He slowly turned around to face the three people standing behind him. The sniff had come from Redoll who looked on the verge of tears, like how he was in the forest when they first met. It hadn't even crossed his mind that by going home he would be leaving his friends behind. His companions, his guardians, the three people who stood by his side and protected, loved, and comforted him throughout his entire journey.
Luke swallowed, feeling a lump coming to his throat and put Trevor on the ground who looked just as distraught. "I guess...this is goodbye." he said softly. He walked towards Sharon first who knelt down to meet him for a hug. Luke didn't care that he pressed against hard cold metal, Sharon felt warmer than any metal in the world. "I know I have a heart now…" Sharon said softly, her voice cracking.
Luke swore he could hear her heart beating, emanating the sadness she was feeling. "I'm going to miss you." Luke said softly, feeling his throat tighten. Sharon released him, her eyes glassy but refusing to shed tears. "Oh," Luke reached into his satchel, pulling out Sharon's oil can. "You might need this." Sharon smiled sadly and took it, giving him one last pat on the cheek.
Redoll was next. He knelt down and Luke hugged him, burying his face in his soft mane. The lion's tears had already started to fall and Luke's were starting to form as well. "I wish you could stay…" Redoll whispered.
Luke smiled into his mane; he felt bad for thinking it, but he was going to miss Redoll's shyness and fright around others. Luke felt his hand run up a small scar and he closed his eyes tightly, squeezing out a few tears. "Thank you for protecting me." he said a sob sneaking its way into his words. Redoll responded by giving Luke one last tight squeeze before releasing him.
Luke's hand lingered slightly on the warm fur that was greatly going to miss before he finally faced Lando. The scarecrow wasted no time kneeling down and embracing Luke who eagerly returned it.
Lando, his first friend, the one who began strengthening the goal of reaching the wizard and a large part of the reason that Sharon and Redoll were with them. If Luke hadn't run into Lando, he wasn't sure where he'd be. Luke finally allowed his tears to freely fall and cried silently.
"We'll see you again." Lando said softly. "I know it; if not by magic, I'll find a way."
Luke smiled through his tears. "No risk, no glory?" he asked.
Lando tightened his grip, "Exactly." His tears coated his voice. Luke then felt three more familiar bodies wrap around him as Sharon and Redoll joined in on the hug.
"I love you all." Luke choked. "I'll never forget you." He felt Trevor press up against his leg, joining the embrace in his own way and whining a few goodbyes of his own. After a few moments that Luke wished would never end, he finally urged himself to release his friends. He wiped his eyes, picked up Trevor, and faced Claire. "Okay," he said taking a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Claire nodded and stepped towards him. "Just close your eyes, click your heels three times, and repeat to yourself 'There's no place like home'." Claire began to wave her wand around him. "There's no place like home." she repeated.
Luke closed his eyes as he felt Claire's magic begin to surround him. "There's no place like home." Luke said. He smiled as he thought of Monte d'Or and all its incredible spectacles.
"There's no place like home."
He thought of his home in Misthallery, with his parents and friends.
"There's no place like home."
He thought of the Professor's home in London, where multiple puzzles and archeological finds came, waiting to be solved.
"There's no place like home."
He finally thought of the Professor, the man who had become like a second father to him, who had taught him and given him so much. He was the sole reason why Luke had gone on this journey to the Emerald city. Luke wanted to go home. Home was with Professor Layton, by his side, as his number one apprentice.
With that resolve, Luke clicked his heels three times, the ruby shoes glinting in the sunlight.
"There's no place like home."
Luke's body suddenly felt weak as the magic began to take effect. He finally allowed himself to sleep as he fell into gentle darkness.
I legit choked myself up while writing this (that moment when you realize you wrote such strong bonds between characters and now you have to rip them apart TT-TT )...I hate writing goodbyes...
Only one more chapter and a bonus chapter so stay tuned!