The unease with the group could be felt in the air.
The Dragon Machine could only go so quick, and its top speed wasn't very impressive to say the least.
"We need to kick it into high gear." Kyle suggested. "The witches are probably already there. Teleportation and everything."
"They can't just rule over Emerald City immediately, though. Its divided down there as is. We have some time." Bryson assured, still next to Tommy.
"Yeah, stop being such a downer." Charlotte scoffed, annoyed.
"Now, you two need to be kinder to each other." Dorothy scolded like a mother. "Oz is divided enough as it is.." She said, her voice sounding sad.
"Yeah. Turbo here will get us there quicker than you think. At least it's not on foot." Tommy said.
"Turbo?" Bryson tilted his head. "Did you name the Dragon Machine?" He chuckled in amusement.
"Well, yes. Animals and trees can talk here. Might as well personify this thing." Tommy laughed.
"Fair enough." Bryson chuckled.
"I just hope that name applies to its speed. We're gonna lose time over here." Kyle sighed, distressed and anxious.
Tommy looked stressed himself, biting his lip as if in deep thought.
Bryson took notice. "What is it?" He asked softly.
"I.. I know we should probably get to Emerald City as fast as lighting and all. But.. you did say it'd probably take a while for them to actually establish their authority." The blonde teen shrugged.
"I'm listening.." Bryson raised a brow.
"What if.. we made a detour first? An important one." Tommy suggested.
"Are you kidding?" Kyle huffed in the back.
"Well, let's listen to what he has to say first." Thersea suggested, stroking the hair of Colton snuggled in her lap.
"It's just.. Snowmella told me about something when I was staying with her. And with everything that's been happening recently.. I haven't had time to check it out. But we're in that direction now. And if we're going to face the witches and Zavick and who knows what else.. it's a risk I think we should take." Tommy shrugged.
The teen looked out the window. "..The Tree of Oz. A landmark near the jungles of Oz. She told me it has something there that could help me unlock my powers. She said it's no guarantee, but.. Bryson isn't hurt now. And he said we have some time. Theodora and Evanora can't conquer Oz in one day, assuming they made it to Emerald City. If I can get my powers back, I can undo this all in one go. Heck, even if they do take control. My powers can undo it."
Bryson suddenly looked stunned, a grin beginning to appear on his face. "I mean.. you can essentially do anything with your powers.. Tommy. Oh my god... this could stop the war!" Bryson now had a look of hope and optimism on his face that hadn't been so present in ages. "All my mistakes.." The burden of knowing the war he caused wouldn't vanish. But knowing they could wipe it all away with Tommy's magic... it'd certainly make him feel better, to say the least.
Dorothy smiled widely in acknowledgement, rushing and reaching over to grip Bryson's arm to express her shared excitement.
"But if it doesn't work, we could just be making everything worse." Kyle muttered.
"Well, no matter what we do we're gonna have to take chances." Bryson said, chewing on his lips. He looked around the room. "What does everyone think?"
The chatter in the room seemed to indicate that everyone was either on board with the idea or unsure.
"Alright. I'm gonna go with my gut, then." Tommy smiled.
...
On the way over, they passed over the ruins of Quadling Country. It looked ooze infested and there was smoke around the area. It served as a reminder to Bryson. That they needed to act fast. The idea that they could undo this all in one quick motion thanks to Tommy was the best news Bryson had heard in a while.
His biggest hope was that they could bring all the people who had died from the war back with the magic.
Soon enough, the Dragon Machine was flying over a beautiful, seemingly endless dense jungle area. It was far south around the jungles of Oz and almost obscured. It seemed to be one of the areas where the war had not yet disrupted the way of life.
Even in these trying times, Bryson was blown away by the magical serenity of Oz's landscape.
"Snowmella's directions were right. Tree of Oz, dead ahead." Tommy stated.
Through the front window a beautiful, mountain-like rock formation in the shape of a tree could be seen.
Soon enough, the Dragon Machine had landed in an area around The Tree of Oz and the group had made their way out.
"Oh, isn't it wonderful? It's so nice to get a reminder of what we're all fighting for." Dorothy smiled, clutching Bryson's arm. Bryson smiled widely at that before Tommy spoke up.
"Over here. A cave. Snowmella said this is where I need to go to get my powers back."
"What powers?" Colton suddenly spoke up, still being held by Thersea.
"You'll see if I get 'em back, buddy." Tommy replied. Seeing Tommy speak to Colton reminded Bryson of how he used to speak to Tommy.
Everyone had grown up so much. It made him realize how long his relationship with Oz had lasted.
"Where exactly are we headed, anyway?" Bryson asked.
"It's the heart of the Tree of Oz. Right in the middle of the area. Snowmella told me this is where the people of Emerald City buried the original king of Oz. After Evanora killed him." Tommy explained.
The cave was a bit dark, but nothing too intimidating. The group found solace by remaining close.
But once they exited the cave, they were astonished at the sight before them.
There were a handful of giant creatures walking around in a serene and grassy area. There was a large pond in the midst of it all, and several tall trees.
"Are these.." Bryson squinted at the large creatures. They were completely giant. Bryson had never seen such large animals in Oz. "They look like dinosaurs." He said in awe. "Like.. Brontosauruses?"
The creatures were massively tall and gray. They had long, thick necks with bulky torsos and long tails.
"Just like them. Snowmella told me all about this place. According to her, they aren't called dinosaurs in Oz." Tommy said as the group looked on in amazement.
"What are they called?" Dorothy wondered.
"Big creatures." Tommy replied.
"Well, that's certainly more to the point." Dorothy pursed her lips, grinning at the sight. Bryson was somehow now more focused on Dorothy's reaction and her smile than at the creatures towering over them.
The group continued to walk around in amazement at the sights of the huge creatures. Even after all these years, Oz's beauty and oddness stunned Bryson and filled him with glee and excitement.
They came across different multi-colored fruits growing on trees. Bryson even spotted the familiar sight of a Jitter Fruit and knew they'd come in handy, stopping so everyone could get a taste of the calming food.
"Should we really be stopping to eat? We gotta hurry." Kyle huffed.
"I appreciate your worry, but we won't get to Emerald City at all if we pass out from hunger first. Eat." Bryson scolded like a father, Dorothy chuckling to herself in amusement.
But as they stood around to fill their stomachs, they could hear hissing in the distance.
The sound of quick footsteps began to fill the area and they all froze.
"Uh.. oh.." Bryson mumbled.
Out of nowhere, a few Kalidah sized creatures pounced over a rock and into the grassy area the group was standing in.
They resembled Kalidah's in stature and has some of the familiar stripes and fur. However, they almost looked more like Raptors. The land of Oz had so many strange creatures that Bryson had not even discovered.
Unlike Kalidah's, however, they could speak.
"Outsiders." One of them hissed. "I can sense it. Look at those clothes. Get out of here before the war comes to us. We won't no part of it!"
"Scram before we make you." Another hissed, showing its sharp teeth that made the group recoil in fear.
But larger footsteps were soon heard that made the ground shake just slightly.
Everyone snapped their heads over to see another breed of a dinosaur-like creatures in a pack together. They had spiked neck frills, beaks, horns, and a thick protruding lump of bone on top of their snout that was accompanied by small horns.
"Those look like rhinos." The small child Colton had noticed.
"Alright, you all. Leave these beings alone. I understand your views, but we cannot spread hatred. I thought we agreed to be centrist on this whole outsider ordeal?" The male leader of the horned creatures spoke. He had what sounded like a British accent.
The Raptor-like creatures hissed and scampered off, seemingly intimidated by the horned creatures. Bryson figured the horned ones seemed to have some sort of authority within the area.
"Well, gee. Thank you for aiding us!" Dorothy put on a sweet smile.
"if you want to thank us, leave immediately. If the wrong creatures find you, violence will spread. We will not have our territory indulge in this childish war." The male leader responded in a slightly cold manner.
"We're here for the heart of the Tree of Oz. Or whatever it is. Do you know where it is, mister.. dinosaur thing?" Charlotte squinted.
"I know what you're referring to. The ground has been littered with bones of those who have tried. And failed." The male horned creature squinted.
"Yeah? Well, we're different. We won't fail." Tommy insisted. "I'm the Child of Oz and I was sent by Snowmella. And these two?" Tommy pointed at Bryson and Dorothy. "Dorothy Gale. Bryson Scott. They've done more for Oz than you can imagine."
The male leader's cold demeanor suddenly changed and he gasped. "Bryson Scott.. and Dorothy Gale?! And.. the Child of Oz?! Sent by Snowmella herself?!" He gasped. "These are hefty claims! The legends of you three are very popular along our lands. I've seen Ms. Gale in paintings. You've blossomed like a true woman! It.. it really is you. All of you. But what about the rest of you? How can I be sure?"
"If the legends say they're so brave, that explains how we got here in the first place. I don't imagine you have an awful lot of human visitors. And I wouldn't let them lie to either me or you." Dorothy reasoned, arms crossed. "Especially Bryson, I've known him for an awfully long time. Who are you, anyway? You know who we are now. It's only fair."
"I am Brick. Leader of my pack. What exactly is going on here? Why do you want to visit the heart of the Tree of Oz? The Child of Oz should have all the power in the world, no? What could the heart of the Tree of Oz offer you?" He squinted.
"He did. He lost his power. Ozma took it." Bryson told the horned creature.
"Ozma... I don't know what has gotten into Ozma. She was once a noble leader." Brick huffed, sounding annoyed and slightly distraught.
"Theodora and Evanora are plotting to take control of Oz. And there's a man who has one of the missing shards of the Ruby Slippers. With that power combined with the watch Bryson has.." Tommy pointed to the green Oz-hauler on Bryson's wrist. "He could wipe out everything and everyone. That's unlimited power. The only way to stop it is my own power."
"Theodora and Evanora are witches I could never trust. And a man got a hold of a missing Ruby Slipper shard? How is that possible? I thought the majority of the shards were buried in the desert. He must have access to certain ways of travel." Brick deduced. "The only other shards I know of are the two that Glinda kept on purpose. To power those two magical scepters."
"Well, he's from the future." Thersea added. "I guess he had the means to find them."
Brick squinted at that and contemplated it. "Well.. it does seem you all are who you say you are. I can trust the Child of Oz to use his powers properly. Unlike the outsider man who got his hands on that one scepter. Started all this nonsense." Brick scoffed.
Brick looked at Bryson's green Oz-hauler watch. "Was that object made with Oz material?"
"Yeah. Ozbits and Cadoodles, Scarecrow said." Bryson replied.
"Oh, no.." Brick shook his head. "This man you speak of... if he uses an object with those materials.. combined with the left over magic of a Ruby Slipper shard.. he would become a god."
"Follow me." He said sternly.
...
Brick had left his pack to guide the human travelers. He led them into a similar looking cave from before. But this time, there was a large golden door on the right. Brick swiped it with his horn and it seemed to be some sort of touch-based code.
The door opened there was a small narrow room. Nothing was in it. Except for a beautiful gold beam of light shining down from the ceiling onto.. a tombstone. But with no label.
"What.. is this?" Dorothy whispered.
"The heart of the Tree of Oz. The sacred tomb. What makes the area so special. This.. is the late king of Oz's tomb. And it is said whoever enters into the space and its light.. gains the powers of Oz. Legend says that the king's soul is what fuels it." Brick explained. "But no one has ever successfully tried it."
The whole group looked at Tommy.
"Well, I guess it should be Tommy. He was the one with the supernatural powers, after all. Please hurry before those witches turn this place into a shit hole." Kyle sighed.
"Be nice." Dorothy frowned.
"No, he's right. I need to do this right now." Tommy said.
The group watched in awe as Tommy slowly walked over into the beam of light.
The group seemed to take one collective gulp as Tommy stepped into it.
Bryson and Dorothy reached for each other's hands at the same time and gripped each other as if to brace themselves.
The tension was clear in the room.
If this worked... the war... Zavick... all of Bryson's worries would be gone.
His heart was racing.
This was Oz. Of course this would work.
It.. always worked.
The good guys always won.
... Right?
The whole room lit up, almost blinding everyone in the room.
It lasted for a few seconds. The light soon faded.
"Well?" Charlotte asked.
"Did it work?" Kyle asked.
"I don't know. I mean...I don't feel any different." Tommy frowned, looking over his own body.
Tommy closed his eyes, seemingly trying to reach his powers and...
"N-nothing.." Tommy frowned, horrified.
He tried again for what felt like a solid minute. He squeezed his eyes shut and..
"Nothing." Tommy said, his voice softer and weaker now.
"Damn it!" Bryson suddenly cursed and ran his hands through his long brown hair in a stressed manner.
Dorothy frowned and immediately consoled Bryson, rubbing on his arm and frowning.
"I told you guys this was a bad idea." Kyle sighed. "And now those witches are five steps ahead. And god knows what Zavick is doing right now."
"I'm.. I'm sorry, everyone. I just wanted to help." Tommy frowned, looking down at the ground. "I messed up. Bad."
And just like old days, Bryson was looking at Tommy and nurturing him. "Hey.. buddy. Don't say that."
Despite the bleakness of the moment, Bryson had now realized something. "Look. We wasted time. And we're at a bigger disadvantage now. That's the truth. But.. hey. You did what you could. You believed in your heart of hearts.. that this could work. To protect Oz, to save everyone. No one is perfect. Risks are part of battles. And sometimes it doesn't work out. Doesn't mean all hope is lost."
Tommy smiled at that. And so did Bryson.
It made him realize something.
Maybe.. he wasn't right to blame himself for his failures as Wizard.
He did what he could. What he thought was right. For Oz.
Nobody was perfect. But maybe Oz still could be.
"And Kyle, I understand why you're so stressed. You wanna save Oz. Disagreements happen sometimes. But you both want to save everyone. And we all have the same goal here, everyone. We can work together despite the disagreements and make great things happen." Bryson smiled.
"Yeah.. you're right." Kyle said, smiling now at Tommy.
Suddenly, he realized something.
With this in mind...
They could save Oz.
If he could convince these two teens, maybe he could convince the citizens of Oz to work together. To stop the war.
"Let's go back to Emerald City. Assuming nothing else happens along the way and that it's not taken already been compromised.. I.. I actually feel like we can win now." Bryson smiled.
"We just lost horribly in this scenario and now of all times you think we can win?" Kyle squinted.
"If there's anything I've learned through my adventures, it's that failure can shape you. Let's go, guys." Bryson said, sounding more confident now.
"I wish you good luck." Brick looked as if he was frowning. "The Ruby Slippers.. the scepter.. the Child of Oz's power.. and this tomb. Those were the main magic pieces of Oz that were all powerful. That had no limits. And it seems this tomb.. was all but a myth. And none of those legitimate power sources are around anymore. All except for that second scepter. The one Rabadan used was destroyed. And I can't imagine where the second is."
Bryson's heart sank.
"Ozma is the only one left with that kind of power. And given her recent stances.. she could abuse it. I wish you all luck. You and all of Oz will need it."
He realized that despite his newfound confidence... this was going to be harder than any of his adventures.
There was no magic to serve as a quick fix this time.
This time, there was no easy out.
He realized now that they couldn't afford any more mistakes.
The group scampered off back to the Dragon Machine and flew off the Tree of Oz.
As quickly as they could.
...
So it seems our heroes are lacking a power source. In the original story, the scepter undid all its terror. In the second story, Tommy's powers were unlocked and he saved the day. It won't be so easy this time without these sources.
How will they get out of this? Can Bryson rally the people of Oz successfully? Can they defeat Zavick or the witches without a major power source?
This and more will be answered soon. Thank you for your support and reviews. Always much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed and have a nice day.x