Bryson's head was spinning.
Oz consistently founds new ways to shock him.
Here was Theodora, the Wicked Witch of the West, offering him to.. 'take her to bed.'
The very concept was so insane he wondered if he'd wake up the next day in a padded cell.
Bryson had watched The Wizard of Oz countless times as a child and not once did he ever begin to imagine this predicament.
Although, to be fair, in that movie, she was an old green witch rather then the young beautiful woman standing in front of him.
Nevertheless, the fact still stood the entity.. or at least an entity in the form of her.. standing in front of him offering her 'bed' was the same entity that struck fear into his heart as a child, that terroized Dorothy and her friends all those years ago.
Aside from that, he was admittedly somewhat flattered, almost. She was gorgeous in her natural form, but that didn't change how mean spirited she was, how her offer was deeply rooted in her sick want to punish Dorothy.
Bryson had to steady himself, clearing his throat.
Theodora stood in her same stance, putting a hand on her hip as she awaited a response.
"Take you to bed as in.. sleep with you? In the way I.. think you mean?" He asked.
Theodora gave him a stern look, her eyes shooting daggers into his. "Yes. I believe giving yourself to me completely is the only way to truly know you mean it."
"I've never done that sort of thing." He said truthfully.
"Mmm.." Theodora hummed, relishing in the statement. "And that just makes it all the more fun, doesn't it? I could just take you and be the only one who ever gets to." She smirked, licking her lips. "I could.. own you." She realized, a grin slowly forming on her face at the realization. "Have someone to own, yes. Oooh.. now that does sound beautifully wicked, doesn't it?"
Bryson was growing more uncomfortable by the moment.
Her interest in him was dark and twisted, just like everything else about her.
Her wickedness was present in her natural form as it was when she was green and ragged, but it was a different form. Alluring and seductive rather then obvious and straight to the point.
"Own me as in.. make me your slave?" He inquired.
"No. Not a slave." She said, stepping around the room in thought. "A partner. Yes. You could own me just as much as I own you. Someone to truly share my kingdom with. Tell me, Bryson. What are your views on ruling a place like Oz?"
Bryson tried not to appear too stunned, trying to ease his mind and remind himself this whole plan would be worth it in the end. "Well... I can't quite tell you entirely how I think it should be done, but I think it'd best to abolish any sort of government. To let the people truly be free. Because in a place like this.. I think that works. Without any complications or someone like Ozma overseeing the place."
Thedora stopped as he talked, her eyes growing a bit wide as she spoke. "No rules. Complete anarchy." She cackled to herself, clearly amused by the whole concept. "Something I rooted for when my sister and Glinda.. and her sister were being put into place as the Witches of our own areas. Of course she didn't want to hear any of it. Wanted it all.. prim and proper. But ooh.. I do think the two of us could make Oz something truly unique and beautiful.. make it relish in its true potential."
Bryson did find the idea of no real government in Oz to be a great idea. They had very little 'government', but taking it a step further wouldn't be so bad. He did sort of find something right within Theodora's views, but he knew how she worked, that she would find a way to make it malicious.
Theodora began to speak again. "You know.. perhaps the Wizard wasn't the man the prophecy told us of. At least not in my mind. No, someone with a bigger and more complex mind. Like you. And with the way Oz trusts you... perhaps we could finally bring true propserity to the land."
Bryson nodded slowly. "..When is the wedding?"
She cackled slightly. "Excited, are we?"
"..You've got me curious. With all this talk." Bryson said in a low voice. "I've wanted Oz to be at peace for years, now. But sometimes history is written by the victor, which is often Glinda and Ozma and their side. Perhaps their exterior doesn't match their true beliefs. Perhaps you're the one who is good.. who is right." He said, trying to play up anything and everything she would want to hear.
Theodora rolled her head back, her eyes closed, purring as if being acknowledged as the one in the right aroused her.
"That's what I like to hear." She hummed, opening her eyes. "I will arrange the ceremony. But first.. I want you to uphold your end of the deal."
"By taking you to bed?" Bryson asked softly.
"My bed is in the upper quadrants of Emerald City. Would you like me to escort you?" She asked.
The idea was becoming closer and closer to reality and Bryson knew he would need to find a way to get to that tower quickly.
"..Yes." Bryson said, trying not to choke up on his words.
Theodora slowly stepped forward to him, a smirk on her red painted lips. "Join me." Her voice was low, extending her hand in his direction.
Bryson simply looked down at the hand of the witch, then back up at her.
Her hand was coaxing. Attractive like the rest of her with her painted on red nails. Her hand offered power, pleasure, something new and different and exciting. But Bryson would never let something like that get to his head.
Instead, he removed all biological urges that could be inflicted within him for the time being and viewed the situation objectively, remembering the task at hand.
He slowly lifted his hand up. It trembled slightly in nervousness before he took her hand.
He felt what seemed to be an electric shock flow through him when he took her hand. It was cold, but not in a bad way, exactly. Even her hand exuded power and intensity, feeling her being course through his veins.
Theodora eyed him, looking down at his hand as she interlaced their fingers. "Let's go." She whispered.
Bryson tried not to let her seductive voice get to him.
She began to walk out of the room and Bryson followed her, staying behind her still clung to her hand as if she were his pet.
They walked out of the room and into the Emerald Club, the guards shooting confused and curious looks at the two of them.
They arrived in the main section of what was now the Emerald City visitor center and Theodora led him to one of the hallways, finding a flight of emerald green stairs.
They walked upwards, and Bryson could feel his heartbeat get faster with each step. He turned around, searching for some sign of the tower, but he had no luck.
He turned back around, seeing Theodora strut up the stairs. He was admittedly distracted by the way her body moved, but he looked away, remembering what his goal was.
Soon enough, they made their way to large golden door.
Theodora put her hand up to it. Without any scanner or anything to read her hand, the doors opened.
The room the doors revealed shocked Bryson.
It was even larger and nicer then the Dining Hall.
It was the size of his entire house back in Tennessee.
There were two whole stories in the room, another short flight of stairs seperating them.
Lavish furniture of couches, chairs were everywhere.
"This is your room?" Bryson asked in awe.
"I have many rooms." She responded, letting go of his hand.
Bryson felt like a weight had been lifted off of him when the witch let go of his hand, feeling as if he could think more probably now without the cold yet desireable feeling of her hand.
"So this.. park. It's gonna have a lot of people in this building if this is gonna be the visitor's center. Won't that bother you? If your rooms are in here, that's like people.. you know. Intruding." Bryson said.
"I don't mind. Besides, I have many rooms all around Oz, at this pont." She replied.
"How exactly have you all managed to put this thing together so quickly, anyhow?" He wondered.
"I've sent people from all over. And I put my men to work. Hard work." She answered.
Bryson looked around the room, wondering what exactly would end up happening.
He noticed a huge bed in the middle of the room.
It was green, of course. Hints of gold thrown in the mix.
There were large pillows and identical blankets around in the bed.
He had never seen a bed so large, which was saying a lot considering the ones he had seen at Glinda's castle and around his own guest room in Emerald City.
It was inviting, he had to admit. He was exhausted after everything he had done on his journey. His feet were killing him at this point.. but he had to stay on target.
Theodora seemed to notice Bryson looking at the bed. "Are you imagining it?" She hummed, coming up behind to begin massaging his shoulders.
Theodora leaned into his ear. Bryson could feel her grin.
"..The bed." She hissed. "Laying in it? Taking me in it?"
Bryson's eyes fluttered, almost falling into her spell with how close she was to his ear, feeling her breath on her skin before snapping out of it.
Theodora purred into his ear. "We can consider this your first and only test. To see if you mean it. Your training, almost." She cackled into his ear, rubbing his shoulders more.
If only she was as good at leaving Oz alone as she is at massages.. Bryson thought briefly.
Bryson knew if he didn't act fast, he would be sleeping with Theodora, and that was not what he had come here for.
"Do you think.. I could get ready first?" Bryson asked shyly. "In a.. restroom or something?"
Theodora slowly stepped back, letting her finger scrape along his chin. "Need preperation?" She inquired. "I could doll up myself. How about you use the one to your left and I go upstairs and uh.. freshen up, hm? You may use the shower and I'll try and have new clothes ready for you. You'll need to look nice for our ceremony."
Her thumb carressed his lower lip, giving him a wink and an evil giggle as she slowly strutted away, turning to give him an intent look before making her way up the stairs.
Bryson heard a door close and was left to assume Theodora had entered one of the restrooms.
Bryson looked over to his left, seeing a golden door.
He hastily rushed to the door, seeing a knob. He toyed with it and the door opened within a few moments.
Bryson let out a sigh of relief, having some peace and quiet for a few minutes.
He looked inside, seeing a large restroom with a sink, a big shower and everything else you'd expect in a restroom, except nice and flashy.
He looked into the mirror, having to calm himself.
"Alright.. you can do this.." He whispered to himself.
He thought it over.
Theodora had at least led him upstairs.
Closer to the top of Emerald City, where the power source of the park was located.
He just needed to find a way to actually get to it.
Perhaps he could try and go upstairs where Theodora went, higher up. It had to be closer to the top tower of Emerald City, at least.
He decided that maybe he actually should take that shower. He needed to clear his head.
...
Theodora's shower, as it turned out, was extremely comfortable.
The water against his skin was a nice feeling after being stuck outside for such a long time. He was grateful to have more time to bathe for this second trip in Oz.
He planned some more things out, stepping outside of the shower.
He would ask Theodora if they could go upstairs. If he spotted a way to get to the top of Emerald City, he'd simply say he wanted to get a romantic view with her.. or something along those lines, he told himself.
He just hoped he could manage to turn off the power without being prevented from doing so.
He looked for his clothes, but they were nowhere to be found. He furrowed his brows.
Instead, there was a dark black suit neatly laid out for him, complete with socks and loafers of the same color. Even boxers.
"What the heck..." he mumbled, reaching over to pick it up and inspect it.
The entire thing was black, even the button up shirt that came up with it.
There was a green tie and green lines on the sides of the pants, but that was about it.
With his clothes nowhere in sight, he shrugged and decided to dry off and go ahead and just put the suit on.
It was a perfect fit, somehow. He shook his head in confusion and looked at himself in the mirror. He had to admit he looked nice. Black always suited his features.
He slowly opened the door, peering the corners.
Theodora wasn't in immediate sight, but he remained cautious.
He slowly stepped out into the room, feeling fresh faced after the shower. He paced around for a few moments, still not seeing the Witch.
He decided to go ahead and just walk up the same steps Theodora had, hoping to find a route to the tower.
Once he was up, he was met with another floor of the room, only slightly smaller then the one below it.
Luckily enough for him, there were a few windows along the upper floor he stood on.
He squinted, getting a good look at them.
It was beginning to get dark out, but the bright emeralds on the building provided an excellent source of light.
Bryson almost gasped when he saw it.
There it was.
The top of the Emerald City building.
And tied to it was a rectangular box.
The box read:
"PARK POWER:
ON/OFF"
There was a lever and it was pointed in the 'OFF' direction.
Bryson couldn't believe his luck, there it was!
He snapped his head around every corner, considering opening the window to try and rush over to shut down the park's power supply.
But just when he could make his move he heard the sound of heels clicking against the floor.
Bryson turned around to see Theodora.
His jaw almost dropped to the floor.
She was wearing a long black dress.
Her lips and nails were still painted red, wearing dark eye shadow and more make up that highlighted are already gorgeous face.
She leaned against the wall, showing herself off.
Bryson gulped, not allowing himself to be lured in by her beauty.
"Wow.." he let out, not meaning to say it openly.
Theodora simply chuckled to herself. "You look very handsome. I think this would be a great look for our wedding. It's a shame we'll have to take this all off first."
Bryson became flustered and glanced at the window, hoping this would work.
"It looks nice out there.." Bryson commented, stroking his chin in thought. "Maybe we should take a look. It'd be.. romantic in a way, no?"
Theodora licked her lips, eyeing him as she slowly stepped over, reaching over to open the window.
Bryson's heart continued to pound. How he handled these next few actions would be crucial, he knew.
"I like the way you think.." Theodora said as she opened the window, stepping aside, gesturing for him. "After you."
Bryson paused before slowly making his way outside in the tower.
He looked over. He was just a few feet away from the lever to shut off the power now.
Bryson noticed a chair standing out on the deck of the tower. "Do you come out here often?"
Theodora looked at the chair and nodded. "I do. I like to.. look below my land." She said, looking at him.
Bryson took a seat onto the chair, looking out at the landscape. He needed to think about how he'd reach the lever without her trying to stop him in the process.
"The land we're going to rule? The land that will finally see Glinda for what she is? And succumb to the correct ideals of people like us?" Bryson began, trying to distract her with flattery. She always got distracted easily that way.
Theodora leaned into him, purring and humming. "I've always wanted someone like you." She said in a near whisper.
Theodora was blunt, Bryson realized. And incredibly quick to reach the conclusion that Bryson was the one for her.
Suddenly, a hand moved through his hair. "My sweet Bryson. You will have everything you desire with me." She whispered in a husky voice.
Suddenly, her hands moved to his neck, fingers barely touching his skin, causing Bryson to swallow hard.
"I can see why Dorothy... fancies you. You will make a much more suitable king for me then you'd make a husband to that farm girl." She said next.
Bryson instinctively clutched his fists. He tried to not let his protection for Dorothy show so clearly.
She learned forward further, gripping the back of his neck. Her other hand continued in a downward motion.
"Now.." she said huskily. "I think I should begin enacting my duty as your future queen. And so I can gain your trust."
Then, she wrapped her red lips around his neck, beginning to nip at it.
Her touch had been getting to him, but the action caused Bryson to squirm. He hummed out in response.
Her lips began to press soft kisses down his neck, causing Bryson to writhe against her touch, grunting. "Hmm.. mmmph." He hummed lowly, unable to deny that the feeling of such a gorgeous woman giving him such attention was getting to him, panting.
He noticed the lever in the distance.
He pushed lust away from the equation as best as he could.
He looked back to the lever once more.
There was only one thing left for him to do.
He took her hand gently, slowly lifting up from the chair. He had his back turned to the lever.
He looked down at Theodora, caressing her hand.
"Kiss me." Bryson said lowly and huskily.
Theodora gave a seductive look, slowly leaning into him.
She pressed her lips against his and Bryson's brow lifted, almost jumping at the contact.
She ever so slightly flicked her tongue over his lips, causing Bryson to freeze in place. She was a master of seduction.
Momentarily, Bryson's mind went blank. Theodora's eyes darkened. Bryson wrapped one arm around her waist and placed his hand on her cheek.
Theodora leaned in and kissed Bryson.
Bryson could taste the flavor on her lips, it was something different then anything he had tasted before.
There was a certain aroma she had.
He felt himself sinking into her, returning her kiss.
He didn't know what to feel, an overwhelming sensation of emotions racing through his mind as they kissed.
Her kiss was more rough, however. Almost demanding as she slipped her tongue in his mouth and began kissing him with a great fervor.
The kiss was growing heated and Bryson kissed her back just as passionately, pressing against her.
In response, she pressed him further up against the wall, her hands tangled into the fabric of his suit.
Her kiss felt.. wicked, like her. But he would be lying if he said she didn't taste nice.
It felt odd to be kissing someone he knew was evil, but it somehow made it all the more exciting.
It was like he was kissing poison, but a posion that happened to be intoxicating.
Nothing like Dorothy could make him feel, but it had him feeling a certain way that aroused something dark within him. He felt if he didn't let it stop soon, he would succumb to her.
Before he would let it manifest, however, he reached his hand behind him.
Theodora was behind him, kissing him deeply, eyes closed.
He slowly reached for the box that was the main source powering the park and then..
He found the lever.
He slowly lifted it up.. and then...
Lights flashed off.
The only source of light were the natural emeralds around the building.
Theodora slowly pulled away, lingering on his lips before turning to see what had happened.
The monorail in the distance stopped.
The lights around the rides and attractions were now absent.
But best of all, Bryson could see, cages began to open up.
Chains holding some Ozians let loose.
And all at once, the floodgates were open.
Ozians began to swarm the scene, running off and yelling in the distance.
Men in suits began to look panicked.
The Horse of a Different Color that had been chained up began to stampede around the area, making the park runners run faster.
Bryson could then see the Dragon Machine become visible, swooping in and flapping its wings, circling around Emerald City.
Theodora slowly turned to Bryson, a look of shock on her face.
"You really need to calm that ego of yours. It could get you into trouble." Bryson quipped, his mouth stained with her red lipstick.
And as he looked in the distance, he could see the Hammer Heads from earlier rush out of the building, beginning to attack park workers.
He knew the rampage was only going to get worse, looking around.
The fall of the Oz World park was here.
But first would come the battle at Emerald City.