While Bryson and Dorothy struggled in the net, they could hear footsteps approaching them.

A male flying monkey wearing gold armor and wielding a sword stood over them.

"Remove the net." He instructed the monkeys holding Bryson and Dorothy captive.

"Bryson Scott and Dorothy Gale." He looked them up and down.

This monkey was clearly in some sort of position of higher power given the fact he was actually speaking and giving orders. Bryson just wondered how he knew them. Perhaps it was from the legends and the statues of the two that were around Oz.

The monkeys flew away with the net and Bryson squinted. "Who are you?" He asked hastily.

"I'm Golder. Leader of this group of monkeys." Golder muttered. His voice was low and husky.

"I appreciate that you took off the net, but what I'd really appreciate is you putting us back down on the ground. What is this all about?" Dorothy huffed, her hands on her hips as she gave Golder an angry look.

"Apologies, but I can't tell ya that. You're more than welcome to take it up with my bosses when we get back to Emerald City. But until then, maybe you the two of you would like to cool off in the brig." Golder stated. "Put these two in the dungeon."

One of the primates was already ready to obliged, pulling lever that opened a floor underneath Bryson and Dorothy.

"Woah!" The two cried out in surprise, suddenly landing right where Golder had ordered.

They let out a small cry of pain as they landed on their butts.

"Ouch.." Bryson huffed.

They looked around to see a brown room. They were landed right behind bars and turned to see a few other people surrounding them.

Charlotte, Kyle, Thersea, and Colton were sat along the dungeon.

They all cried out in surprise when Bryson and Dorothy had landed with them.

"Ah. I'd say it's nice to see you all, but these aren't the best circumstances, are they? Starting to wonder if there's any place in Oz I'd be happy to see you all." Bryson was happy to see them, but his voice turned a bit cold. As if he was becoming jaded.

Dorothy put her hand on his shoulder, seeming a bit concerned before she looked over at the kids. "I'm just grateful to see you all in one piece. What's been going on since we left you all at the jungle?"

"After you guys left, that Zavick dude came by. He seemed to know about the hideout. Rushed in and told us we needed to get to a place that was more 'certifiably safe' or something." Kyle shrugged. "Took us to some place called Ev. Got attacked by wolves and crows and bees and dragon lookin' things. Those apes came by and swooped us up in a net. And here we are."

"Monkeys, Kyle. They are called monkeys." Charlotte corrected the boy, seeming irritated.

"Same difference." Kyle scoffed.

"Oh, Ev is a lovely town." Dorothy smiled. "I've been there before. Albeit a tad frightening. It's plum infested with Wheelers."

"Those are so creepy." Bryson sighed, looking around. "Wait, where's Tommy?"

Dorothy shot up, concerned. "Oh, nothing's happened to him, I hope. Do you all know if he's safe?" She asked with clear concern written on her features.

"We got separated during the attack on Ev. I don't know what happened to him. But we're all really worried about him. It's an apocalyptic wasteland out there." Theresa suddenly spoke up and frowned. Her son was resting on her lap and Bryson felt terrible for not making Oz a safe place for the boy.

"Oh Oz.. or... Oh god. Geez, I've been here for so long." Bryson sighed and ran his hands through his hair in a stressed manner. "Without his powers, Tommy could be defenseless."

"It's kinda funny. That guy who wanted to kill you is our only real hope at him being okay. He tried everything to keep us safe, but the place was a disaster and we lost sight of him." Charlotte frowned. "At least you're still caring about us in the future."

"He just needs to learn to love himself is all." Dorothy smiled at Bryson, but also looked somewhat stern. She rubbed his shoulder and Bryson smiled. Even through this war, Dorothy was the most caring person he knew.

Before he could muster a response, the doors opened.

"You're a talkative bunch. Acting like children." Golder scoffed.

"Half of us are children, technically.." Charlotte mumbled.

"Bryson Scott." Golder stated, waving off the sarcastic retort. "The captain of the ship wishes to speak to you."

They all gave worried glances, but Bryson nodded at them in a re-assuring manner and slowly sat up to follow Golder. He wouldn't show it. He didn't want his friends to worry. But he was a bit scared. Who was the captain and what could this be about? There had been so many twists and turns that he felt nearly sick to his stomach.

...

Golder escorted Bryson up a thin flight of stairs. Upstairs, there was a door. Golder opened it and pushed Bryson inside with a kick.

Bryson tripped over and fell to the ground. "Ah!"

"Careful with him! Don't hurt my boy." A voice hissed.

His stomach turned. He knew that voie all too well.

Theodora..

"Apologies.. captain." Golder said, closing the door.

Bryson felt the familiar coldness of her hands and nails touch his arm. He shivered in response as she picked him up off the ground.

He squinted, afraid to face her.

When he did, his face went pale. Seeing Theodora now after her absence from him was startling.

Her tan face didn't have a trace of make-up, but she still looked etheral. She wasn't wearing anything except a silk black robe and dark slippers.

"I wish Glinda was right when she said that bad witches are ugly." Bryson huffed. It was blunt, but Bryson was far past any sense of timidness he used to feel.

Theodora was clearly amused and laughed out loud at that, going as far as to throw her head back. "Oh, so you still find me attractive after getting your memory back?" She smirked and put a hand through his hair, twirling it around and caressing it.

He shivered. "That doesn't mean I have any respect for you. How long have you known?"

"About your memory? Oh, the moment you spoke to me one you had it back. Your body language said it all." She stated.

"So, why did you avoid me all that time? What's your plan, Theodora?" He sighed. "I've never seen you win at anything. Not once. What makes this different?"

She pointed at a chair.

It was black and cushioned, across a black desk that was presumably hers.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions. But that's a very simple one. I was busy. It takes a lot of work to start a political movement, honey. You know that." She chuckled and took a seat. "You are quite smart, after all."

She kicked her long legs up on her desk and Bryson just tried to not focus on her physicality. Instead, he needed to focus on her heart. Which didn't seem to have much going for it.

He took a seat and cleared his throat. "So. A pirate ship. Got tired of the broom, I imagine."

"Oh, the broom was ditched long ago." She snickered, putting her thumb around her mouth and biting it playfully while she stared him down. Like a school girl with a crush. It made him shudder somehow. "I've come to know a lot more about your world, you know. And I thought it was a good idea to get one airborne."

"Creative." Bryson scoffed sarcastically. "Why are you capturing me now of all times?"

"Because we're in the end game now, sweetheart. Everything has worked just the way I wanted. You said I never won. And you are correct. But I've done nothing but win ever since the theme park thing came crashing down." Theodora chuckled.

"What makes this different from then?" Bryson challenged, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

"I had to work with repugnant rich men then. And now I'm calling all the shots." Theodora shrugged before looking at him more intensely. "I told you this would happen."

Bryson squinted. "You.. told me what would happen?"

She smiled almost too sweetly. "Remember what I said? I told you what would happen if you tried to stop Oz World from being built. Instead of joining me. That Oz would fall. That Ozma and Glinda and all the higher ups would never allow you to come back. And now Ozma's been riling up outsiders and wiping their memories. I told you there would be push-back."

"So what? If Oz World had succeeded, Ozians would be enslaved. Oz would be something to be exploited. Not a real land." Bryson shook his head.

"It wouldn't have been ideal. I'm well aware. But it wouldn't have been as bad as it is now. Do you really think all those Ozians would be dead? There would be no war because Oz would be a theme park. There would still be all those buildings, all those Munchkins.. because it would be controlled. Looked after. And now it's far worse." Theodora explained.

She leaned her legs off and scooted her chair closer to the desk, closer to his face. "You and I could have ruled the park together, too. I would have let you call so many of the shots for the park. You know I wouldn't have kept those men around. I'd let you take care of the citizens. But, no. You ruined Oz World. And forced that man to go to his back-up plan. And take every single Ozian out of their world and into yours. To be auctioned off. Had you just.. let it all be. And not stopped me? It could have been a slow integration. Ozians would warm up to outsiders instead of being forced to fear them. And now there is all this division and chaos." Theodora explained.

"Because of me. I wouldn't have made it better then, either. The division is my fault. Either way.. theme park or war.. Oz loses. You're just trying to spin it." Bryson said. He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

"Bryson, you saw it. The division was here before you became Wizard, before you even ruled. This war was going to happen regardless. Oz World would have forced Oz to become something else than a system. It would be a park. That would be its function. But you didn't listen to me." Theodora argued back. "And here we are."

Bryson wondered if she had a point.

Would things have been better if he had agreed to join her?

He changed the subject. Thinking that was horrifying somehow.

"..So why all of this now? Why did you let the war happen? Why didn't you rule with me as soon as I was put in place as Wizard?" Bryson questioned.

"Because I wouldn't have been universally trusted. You were, because we made them think you were Wizard. And I knew you would struggle. I knew you would fall behind. And that's when I would have stepped in." Theodora explained. "I didn't think it would get.. this bad. The war. But it's happened. And you're hated. And the people of Oz are desperate. They now hate Glinda. They now hate Scarecrow.. and now even hate who they think is the Wizard of Oz. So when I step in and say I'm the good one.. they believe it. Because to them, everything has switched." Theodora explained. "Glinda's anti-outsider beliefs don't help, either. Just proves my point. Now that Oz is at its lowest point.. here I am to be their savior. The war is unfortunate. But I'm going to clean it up."

"You know, just because Glinda isn't perfect.. doesn't make you good. You lied to me, Theodora. You made me think you were my savior. Just like you're doing to the people of Oz. I was scared. My memory wiped. And you manipulated me. And put me in a terrible.. stressful position. And it seems you went away to leave me to my own devices. Make sure I was a weak and bad leader. So you could swoop in and be loved by the people of Oz." Bryson shook his head.

"I saved you. If Ozma had her way, you would've been dropped back in your world with no memory. Defenseless. Maybe even killed instead of that! I could have given you such a wonderful life. Free of the trauma of the past. I knew being Wizard would be hard, but I was going to come back for you. And rule with you forever. A few hard months in exchange for an eternity together. In our lovely little palace. Making Oz happy and great." Theodora argued. She almost seemed emotional when she spoke about it. He could see what looked like tears almost well up in her eyes and it confused him. Plagued him, almost.

Her eyes really were beautiful and despite her terrible actions, he felt so much empathy for her. If what she said was true, her childhood wasn't hard and Glinda was quite cruel to her.

Stop thinking about her looks. She used to be green.. she used to be green..

Bryson's somewhat forced negative thoughts for her only helped a bit. He wished his negative feelings towards her were all that was left.

"Tell me." Theodora suddenly said, tears welling up before she took a breath. They were at ease now. "Do you remember those times of us being happy? When you looked at me like the sun?"

"That was when I thought you were a good person. When I thought you really were my savior. When I had no memory." Bryson said lowly.

Theodora twitched slightly, as if her feelings were hurt. "Besides.." Bryson continued. "I'm pretty sure you sent those wolves after us. They were gonna kill me and my friends."

"They were specifically ordered to bring you to me. Now that we're in the end game of this all. But they failed, so now you've been taken to my ship." Theodora argued. "I don't want you dead. I just want you to see things how I see them."

Silence filled the room for a bit before he spoke again.

"Theodora. I just. I don't know why I'm even trying this considering the lie you pulled over me. But.. what are you going to do once you rule? I want to know your real vision." He said with serious eyes.

"What I told you is my real vision, Bryson. Every single bit of it. The only thing I ever lied to you about was who you were. I meant what I said." Theodora huffed and crossed her arms.

"I liked that vision. But I don't agree with Dorothy's trial. You can't do that to her. Put her on trial and have her killed or whatever! I love her and I won't let it happen." He shook his head in defiance.

His admission of love seemed to sting Theodora somehow. "I'm pro-outsider. But to appease the anti-outsiders and bring unity, her trial is necessary."

"Don't act like it isn't personal." Bryson sighed. "She killed you and you want to humiliate her for it. She didn't even mean to kill you! And hell, you aren't even the person she killed! You're just a copy summoned from a scepter!"

Theodora clenched her fists and barred her teeth. "..I.. am.. sick.. of anyone.. telling me.. I'm just a copy. I... I am my own person. I'm.. I have all her memories. I am her. But better. New life! I meant what I said about wanting to be good, Bryson! Can't you see I'm trying to be good?!" She suddenly sat up and had fire in her eyes, small bursts of fire forming in her hands.

Bryson gasped, standing up and backing away.

Theodora's eyes cooled to their natural state and she looked down at her hands. "I.. I didn't mean to do that." She cleared her throat. "It happens when I get upset." She closed her eyes and put on a forced smile, sitting down.

"Quite the temper. Sure that's a good trait for a leader?" Bryson argued.

Theodora closed her eyes again, as if trying not to react. "You know, I'm well aware of this Zavick situation. A future you from another world. With the slightest of differences. He is you. He's done everything you have. And his plan right now? Is far more devious than mine."

Bryson shivered. Theodora knowing about this somehow made his heart sink. "How.. how do you know about that?"

"Crystal ball, remember? I've been watching you. I know everything you know." Theodora informed him. "And I began watching him, too. After I saw what he did to you. I wanted to see what his deal was. Found out a bit of information that your Lion friend managed to interrogate out of me."

"Ah." Bryson had remembered Lion telling him about that. "Of course you've been watching me. How long?" He huffed.

"Every so often since I left you to your duties at Emerald City. But that isn't the point, Bryson.." Theodora suddenly arose from her chair and slowly walked up to him. Her hips swayed.

"Had that future version not have arrived? You would have made his choices. I only know what you know. But he.. or you. Tried to guide the war. Failed. It ended up in such disaster that both Oz and your world suffered. And your precious Dorothy died. Now, you want to use magic to kill off a majority of the human race and start your own land. Like a god. I merely want to rule one land. The only people I want dead are Dorothy, Glinda, and Snowmella." Theodora approached him further.

Now, she was standing just an inch or two from him. "So, Bryson Scott. It seems you've succeeded my wickedness." She cackled lightly.

Bryson gulped. "He's.. he's not me."

"He's a version of you. Exactly the same in every regard with a few minor changes. I have a version of myself who did terrible things. You have a version of yourself doing terrible things." Theodora explained. "You and I are not so different."

Bryson's face was red with how close the Witch was to him.

"But that's besides the point. I have a crystal ball. I can tell you where Zavick is at this very moment. And I have a plan to stop the war." Theodora told him. "His plan is a lot worse than mine. Dorothy and your little friends have no power. I do. And I can make sure he doesn't enact his plan. Then, we can enact my plan."

"And what exactly is your plan?" Bryson scoffed.

"Simply to save Oz. Have Ozians come together in unity. To make Oz the way it was. Like you wanted." She nodded at him. "You know that Zavick does not have your interests or my best interests at heart. We can work together. You know you have a better shot of preventing his genocide with my powers combined with yours. And I won't even have the farm girl's punishment be death. I can keep her alive, just to have you content."

Theodora offered her hand. "Join me."

Somehow, she almost had Bryson convinced.

...

Will Bryson join forces with Theodora? Why is she taking everyone to Emerald City? How will the stories of the war and Zavick continue? Find out soon! Thank you very much for all support, that and any reviews are all appreciated. Have a nice day.x