Soon enough, the Dragon Machine had flown around the outskirts of Emerald City. It was night now, and the shiny greens were unmistakable.
"It's already night." Bryson sighed. "I hope they haven't done too much damage."
"Don't worry. How much damage could they possibly have done in such a short time span?" Theresa questioned in the back.
"Not a lot if their track record is the same. It's Zavick that I'm concerned over.. more than them, anywho." Dorothy voiced her opinion.
"Well, I guess we're about to find out.." Tommy muttered. Slowly, he pulled a lever to let the Dragon Machine descend into the forest among the poppies. It was a fairly long walk from there to Emerald City, but nothing unreasonable. And a good place to sneak in undetected.
Slowly, the group tip-toed out of the Dragon Machine and hid behind it. "Only thing that sucks about this is the Dragon Machine is giant. We have to be stealthy, but quick. There could be guards coming to check on this stuff. At any mom-"
Suddenly, Thersea yelped and turned around. The gang followed.
"What are you doing here?!" Thersea demanded.
Bryson looked on in surprise. It was Ethan.
"The whole group of you. You all need to leave. You're in danger. You need to get in that big flying thing and flee as fast as you can." Ethan said.
Bryson squinted, shocked that the man seemed to want to help. He had aided Zavick earlier. He wondered what his intentions were.
"We don't believe in running from our problems. Unless you've got a big bucket of water, I'd suggest you scram." Dorothy huffed. "We're going to stop those witches." She said both stubbornly and confidently.
"A bucket of water is not going to get rid of Zavick." Ethan argued.
"Oh, so you're helping us now? You took my Oz-hauler watch earlier. Do you have any idea what he wants to do with that thing?" Bryson huffed.
"I didn't know at the time. I mean.. I.. I knew some of it. That he wanted to transform the world into his own vision of a paradise. But I had no idea he was going to kill off most of the human race in the process! I overheard him days ago. I was wrong to help him." Ethan admitted.
"I don't believe you!" Thersea suddenly blurted out at Ethan. "You're in on it. Either with the Zavick guy or the witches! With Gwen and Rebecca! Just like you were in cahoots with those two when you took my.." Thersea suddenly stopped talking, as if remembering her son was in her arms. Bryson still didn't know the whole story, but the woman seemed hesitant to badmouth the man in front of the young boy.
"You were at Theodora's caste with Gwen and Rebecca. Maybe you're also working with the witches." Bryson squinted.
"I wasn't. Theodora tricked me into thinking she was the good one. That she cared about the struggle going on with Thersea and all of us. And that we'd be helped in Oz. I see now that she only pretended to care to make herself look noble and good to Oz. I know all about her plan. Zavick recruited me as his partner because he found me trustworthy." Ethan turned to Bryson. "You find me trustworthy in the future. Or at least.. that version."
"So.. you know." Bryson scoffed and shook his head, ashamed. Anyone knowing the fact that there was a world where he became such a monster... it made him feel so much shame.
"He's told me everything. He told me that evil wins, that Oz and Earth are destroyed in the future. Showed me the proof, too. I thought his plan would be good. To prevent that all, give everyone a happier situation. Now I see that the fate he'd bring our worlds is even worse." Ethan said. "Besides, you're not one in any position to judge." Ethan was now looking at Bryson. "Look at what you become in the future."
In a flash of anger, Bryson growled and gripped Ethan by his shirt. He slammed the man against the Dragon Machine. "Listen, buddy!" Bryson's teeth were snarled and the group gasped. "I am nothing like him! Alright! Nothing! He is just.. a version of me. That's all." Bryson began to tremble as he gripped Ethan's shirt. He gulped once he realized the irony of the situation.
He slowly let his arm fall.
"You have the same look in your eyes that he does. When you get angry.." Ethan said. "You have a lot of anger in you. I can see that."
Dorothy rushed up to Bryson and caressed his arms. "It's okay, it's okay. We're all a little.. tense, darling."
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry." Bryson sighed. "I just... how can I trust you?" Dorothy's touch helped, but Bryson felt the anger that had arisen. It showed him how he could become like his alternative future self.
"Look... I'm the only shot you have at saving Oz right now. If you don't wanna hide.. which I suggest you do. Considering the witches are here and Zavick himself is plotting his own arrival. As soon as a few days or hours, depending on how long he is." Ethan gulped. "But.. if you don't want to hide. We c-"
"Hey!" Dorothy suddenly yelped.
Bryson snapped his head over to see that Dorothy's hand had been forced upward and was being forced into shackles.
"Ouch!" Bryson yelped out as he felt something cold being tightened harshly on his wrist.
He looked around to see that Evanora had applied Dorothy's shackles. And none other than Gwen and Rebecca were applying the shackles to the rest of the group's wrists. They all tried to resist, but it was done so hastily. When Evanora had hovered over Gwen and Rebecca, there was no chance.
Bryson turned to see that it was.. of course. Theodora who had applied his. She was in a long red dress to match her red dress, that looked similar the dress Glinda always wore. Somewhat of a contrast to her sister, who was now in her usual black sparkly dress.
"Not to worry, lovely. This is only temporary. For you, at least." Theodora giggled in a menacing tone as she stroked Bryson's restrained wrists.
Suddenly, Evanora snapped a finger. "Get this big pile of junk off the land of our kingdom."
A few flying monkeys suddenly flew down with the same net used to capture the Dragon Machine from earlier. They had seized it once more with the net, carrying it far away high in the air.
"How are you two back here?" Bryson squinted at Gwen and Rebecca. "I sent you both home!"
"Ozma brought them back. And they are now one of our many loyal assistants." Theodora said while continuing to stroke the shackles on Bryson's wrists. "That happens when you don't rule a kingdom properly and treat its citizens quite poorly. They turn to the opposition quite quickly."
"No.. there's no way in hell you've taken control! Oh, get me out these shackles, you ugly old witches! I'll take you myself!" Dorothy yelled and exclaimed, struggling in the grasp she was held in.
Theodora cackled. "Oh, it's gonna be a joy watching that brat slowly lose all that spunk over the next few months." She hummed lowly. That made Bryson shiver. "Your little child of Oz doesn't have those powers of his anymore. There's nothing you can do to stop this." Theodora said lowly, eyeing Tommy who just struggled in his shackles.
"The people of Oz are eager to see the fake Wizard in chains. They're against Glinda. Against you. A few speeches here and there and a few displays of power and.. Emerald City was ours." Evanora chuckled and gloated. "They know now, that you are a fraud."
"Mm, yes. But his broken reputation isn't infinite. I do want to patch that up, rule with him. But for now, they are eager to see you in the dungeon. Getting a taste of your own medicine. But don't worry, your life in the dungeon will be short before you come to live with me in my bedroom." Theodora chuckled. "It is a mere phase. Your current reputation.. the fact I revealed to Oz that you're a fake? And have been none other than Bryson Scott this entire time? It is just a short punishment for not joining me on the ship."
Bryson was trembling, agony and anger written on his features.
"Aww.. don't worry, sweetheart." Theodora pinched his cheeks. "Dorothy will be there, just like you want. She'll be chained up as my pet while I do as I please with you."
"Bite me, you evil hag!" Dorothy yelled in anger, her face red.
"I'LL BE HAPPY TO!" Theodora suddenly yelled, her eyes growing a shade darker before she calmed herself and cleared her throat. Her eyes returned to normal when she stroked Bryson's wrists some more.
"Alright, enough of this. Back to the dungeons with them. Ethan, a job well done on distracting them." Evanora praised.
"So you did lie to us!" Thersea yelled. Her soon was whimpering in the shackles that were far too big for him. But he was at least still next to his mother.
"I had nothing to do with this! I haven't spoken to her! She's manipulating the situation!" Ethan protested, his face looking pained, especially when he looked at Thersea and Colton.
"Save it. Theodora, please escort him to Ozma when we enter Emerald City. Gwen and Rebecca will make excellent showcases for outsiders trusting us. You have your own desires to keep Bryson and Dorothy alive. And those children and their mother might make for a good tearjerker or two if we need to manipulate the masses. But this defiant Ethan character is proving to be quite useless." Evanora hissed.
Theodora agreed and led the group inside Emerald City.
The walk was dreadful, Bryson's heart pounding in its chest the entire time. What had they done to Emerad City in just a few hours? How would the people of Oz react to him when a war had started under his rule?
As the green doors opened... it turned out to be pretty poorly.
As soon as the group was inside, someone shouted. "Hey, everyone! Look! Fake Wizard is back!"
Soon, Emerald City erupted with boos and hisses. Bryson and the group was escorted through the city and his heart sank. His own people that he had ruled over, even familiar faces were booing him.
"Bryson Scott turned out to be the worst outsider of all!"
"Proof that we should get rid of 'em all!"
"He's just one of the bad ones, that's all!"
"Theodora and Evanora are the real magic ones! They showed us everything! Their magic! Your lies! Your rules are over! We're free! None of your laws!"
Regardless of anti-outsider or pro-outsider beliefs, it seemed everyone hated him.
"You are historically unpopular right now. We'll change that after you join me." Theodora leaned in to Bryson's ear, giggling.
This was pure blackmail. Theodora was showing him what she could do if he didn't comply to her commands again. The hatred for him that she could incite.
Theodora suddenly flew up in the air. "People of Oz!" She called out. "It is I, your new ruler!"
The crowd cheered, applauding her now.
It seemed that Bryson was such a terrible wizard that they now trusted Theodora. Without her green skin from when she used to terrorize the lands, most normal citizens perceived her as another person, it seemed.
"I am pro-outsider, as you all know. I understand that Oz isn't united. That many of you want all outsiders gone. Tonight, I will meet you with compromise! In due time!" Theodora then flew back down, discretely taking Ethan to Ozma just like Evanora had suggested. Bryson wondered what could be in store for the man.
"She healed the sickness the Wizard caused when I couldn't get my medicine at Munchkin Land!"
"She's so powerful, but also so transparent! What Oz needs! Not a fake who hides and makes our lives miserable!"
People chanted their praises for Theodora. Bryson wondered what strings she had pulled behind the scenes this whole time. How he could be such a bad ruler that she won Oz over so quickly.
And how lost Oz was to trust the next ruler they could get their hands on. How desperate they were for leadership.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Dorothy scrunched up her face. "They.. like her."
Suddenly, Evanora signaled over a guard to take the group to the dungeon.
Except for Bryson, who she pulled to the side.
"Wait, Dorothy! Tommy! Guys, everyone!" He reached out for the group that was led down the dungeon.
Dorothy gasped, looking behind herself and at Bryson for the longest time with worried and longing doe eyes before she was out of sight.
"Come. I wish to speak to you alone." Evanora said to Bryson, leading him away from the scene.
Bryson gulped. Theodora was scary to speak to alone, but he knew she had some sort of affection for him. It was sick and twisted, but it was affection. But Evanora?
He had no idea what she would do.
...
Bryson was led around Emerald City. He could barely admire the beauty under the stress he was under, worrying about his friends in the dungeon.
They suddenly turned a corner and were inside Evanora's chambers.
Bryson was surprised to see it looked just the way it had in the movie he had seen her in years ago.
"Do you like it? Looks just how it used to. We sent lots of workers to re-model some areas during your rule. Right under your nose." Evanora gave a very slight chuckle to express her amusement, but remained largely stoic.
Bryson gave out a long sigh. "What's happening to my friends? Are they being hurt?"
"No, they are just in the dungeons." Evanora replied as she turned around and walked next to Bryson. In the middle of the room was a grey table that had a crystal ball sat atop it. Evanora was eyeing it.
"So, you're enslaving them because it's useful to you. And because Theodora wants to torture Dorothy. Put her on trial or whatever." Bryson huffed. "Some kind of justice system Oz has." Bryson said sarcastically.
"Justice?" Evanora scoffed, now facing him and crossing her arms. "Let me tell you about justice. If it had not been for the Child of Oz's return, the whole land of Oz and your entire world would be under my rule. And my sister's. Theodora and I had won and that child had to come and wreck it. And do you know what? If we had won, Oz and your world would be better off for it."
"I find that hard to believe." Bryson scoffed.
"Those outsiders that wanted to turn the place into a park had the right idea. They were just clumsy and greedy with their implementation. Once they got out of the way? Theodora and I would have made it just right. But there's no use in explaining it. Just see for yourself." Evanora said as she suddenly turned from him.
She touched the crystal ball on the table and Bryson shuddered, wondering what exactly the witch was going to show him.
Images slowly formed. The witch closed her eyes, working her magic to get the crystal ball working.
...
In the ball, Bryson could see it.
...Peace.
Unity.
Oz and the real world were co-existing in peace.
Children were laughing.
Ozians were smiling.
Families took pictures.
"Jitter Fruits" were being sold as actual medicine.
Bryson saw glimpses of the real world in the crystal ball. Everything was so bright.
The usual mundane and grayness of the world was gone.
Even without Oz, Earth seemed to be happier.
Ozian food, medicine, all of it was being sold.
"WORLD PEACE AT LAST? THE MAGIC OF OZ PREVAILS!" A headline ran.
"JOY LIKE THIS HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN!" said another.
"EARTH AND OZ: THE UNITY THAT BROUGHT ABOUT PEACE!"
"OZ WORLD: THE RESOLUTION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, DWINDLING RESOURCES, AND INADEQUATE MEDICINE."
"THEODORA, EVANORA, AND BRYSON: THE HOLY TRIO!"
...
Suddenly, Evanora took her hand off of the crystal ball and Bryson had gasped, jolting backwards. Tears were leaking down his face.
Had she known him the future? The better future that Bryson had prevented?
How did Dorothy fit into it all? Was that all real?
His lips quivered, wondering if what Theodora had said was actually true.
"How did.. how did you... that can't be real. But.. I.. I don't know how you could create a fake future." Bryson gulped.
"The crystal ball allows me to see glimpses of different universes. And that's what would've happened if we had won. And you had joined." Evanora looked down, stroking the crystal ball like it was the most casual thing in the world.
Evanora slowly turned to Bryson. "My sister is quite interested in you."
"I.. can tell." Bryson said sarcastically.
"I wanted to kill you, personally. Get rid of all obstacles. But you proved to be a reliable asset back when you were without a memory. And those images.. they do say you help us with our rule." Evanora said, now leaning against the crystal ball.
"My sister falls quite easily, somehow. The original Wizard. And now you. But I've found I like you much more. Especially after she told me about this future version of yourself running a muck. It seems you do have quite the potential for being devious. Why don't you join us? It's in your nature, clearly. You were smitten for my sister." Evanora said.
"Back when I had no memory.." Bryson said with a hoarse voice, still shaking. "I told Theodora I'm not.. I'm joining you." Bryson remembered what Dorothy had said. He should not trust either witch no matter what.
"If you don't join us, you should know that you will not be returning to Oz." Evanora explained.
"Why? Because everyone hates me now? 'Cause of the war?" Bryson asked.
"Because of your age." Evanora stated. "That's the big compromise sister and I have planned to unite anti-outsiders and pro-outsiders. After all, it seems in your world the land of Oz is a storybook fantasy land. For children to enjoy. It's only fitting. Anti-outsiders know that children will not be here for nefarious reasons. Even if they wanted to be. They don't have the capability, any who." The witch stated. "To pro-outsiders, it will be a way the outsiders can enjoy the land. To find themselves. And then leave. Everyone's happy."
"Impossible to please everyone." Bryson muttered.
"No, but easier now that the standards are so low. Those compromises are much better than those rules you put in place. So restricting. More evil than anything Theodora and I planned, arguably." Evanora shrugged.
Bryson sighed. Once again, his dream of being in Oz forever with his friends seemed like a pipe dream.
"Theodora has told me so much about you. Isn't that what you want? To stay in Oz forever with your friends? You could join us and have a say. And Theodora would keep Dorothy alive." Evanora insisted. "Not free, I know. But that's better than her being dead. And I know that she died in this future timeline. One might say.. if you don't join us? She'll die. If you do? You can have a say and keep watch over her. I know you don't want to be forced to leave Oz. Wondering about the state it's in. With us, you could have power. But also guidance." Evanora said.
Bryson had to admit, these sisters were great talkers.
"I... I would love to be apart of Oz with my friends.." he thought about it and almost got lost in the fantasy before he snapped out of it. "But if this is my last trip to Oz, so be it."
Evanora sighed. "Fine. Have it your way. But you will have less say in Dorothy's trial."
"Oh, so that's happening now?" Bryson raised his brow.
"It's sort of a general trial session, yes. To decide how Oz should be led. To move past the war. Dorothy's trial will be a section of it. Could be days, could be weeks. However long it takes." Evanora said.
"You'll never defeat Dorothy. Maybe me. But never her." Bryson spat lowly.
"Mm, sure. You know.. my sister is quite good looking. And very powerful. Oz knows why you choose to spend your devotion on a measly farm girl."
"Maybe I like farm girls." Bryson muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Mm.. very well." Evanora scrunched up her nose in disgust. "I will send in Golder to take you to the dungeon with your farm girl.."
Bryson wondered where they could go from here.
No powers, no easy way out.
He was in shackles. At the mercy of Theodora and Evanora.
And perhaps even worse, he knew his future self was going to come for the Oz-hauler watch. And cause devastation beyond his wildest dreams..
...
The trial of Dorothy Gale is being set in motion. What will her fate be? What will be the fate of Oz and its people under Theodora and Evanora's rule?
Can Bryson and the gang stop it? Can they rid of the witches, Zavick, and the war/its aftermath? Or will their fate prove to be a dark chapter in the land of Oz?
Find out all this and more soon. I appreciate all reviews and support. Have a nice day.x