The next morning, Flita washed and combed Ellie's hair and took her to Goodwin's throne room.
In the hall next to the throne room, court gentlemen and ladies in elegant suits gathered. Goodwin never went out to see them or received them. For many years, however, they spent every morning in the palace, laughing and gossiping; they called it court service, and were very proud of it.
The courtiers looked at Ellie in surprise and, noticing her silver shoes, bowed to her to the ground.
"A fairy... a fairy… It's a Fairy... " came a whisper.
One of the boldest courtiers approached Ellie and, bowing incessantly, asked::
— May I venture to inquire, gracious Lady Fairy, whether you will really be honored with a reception at Goodwin the Terrible's?"
"Yes, Goodwin wants to see me," Ellie said modestly.
There was a roar of surprise in the crowd. At this time, the bell rang.
- Signal! Flita said. "Goodwin wants you in the throne room."
The soldier opened the door. Ellie timidly entered and found herself in an amazing place. Goodwin's throne room was circular, with a high, vaulted ceiling; and everywhere — on the floor, on the ceiling, on the walls — glittered innumerable precious stones.
Ellie looked ahead. In the center of the room was a throne of green marble, glittering with emeralds. And on this throne lay... a huge Living Head, one head, without a torso…
The head was so impressive that Ellie was stunned with fear. The face of the Head was smooth and glossy, with full cheeks, a huge nose, and large, tightly compressed lips. The bare skull glittered like a convex mirror. The head seemed lifeless: no wrinkles on the forehead, no creases around the lips, and only the eyes lived on the whole face. They turned in their orbits with a strange agility and stared at the ceiling. When the eyes rolled, there was a creaking sound in the silence of the hall, and it startled Ellie.
The girl looked at the strange movement of her eyes and was so confused that she forgot to bow to her Head.
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Who are you and why are you bothering me?
Ellie noticed that the Head's mouth didn't move, and the voice, soft and even pleasant, seemed to come from somewhere else.
The girl cheered up and answered:
"My name is Ellie." I've come from a long way and I'm asking for your help.
The eyes turned in their orbits and froze, looking away; they seemed to want to look at Ellie, but they couldn't.
The voice asked:
— Where did you get the silver shoes?"
- From the cave of the evil sorceress Gingema. My house fell on it, crushed it, and now the nice Munchkins are free…
"Are the Munchkins released?" the voice brightened. "And there's no more Gingema?" Good news! The eyes of the Head whirled and finally focused on Ellie. — But what do you want from me?"
"Send me home to Kansas, to my father and mother."…
"Are you from Kansas?" the voice interrupted, and there was a kind human note in it. But the voice stopped abruptly, and the Head's eyes turned away from Ellie.
"Yes, I'm from Kansas," the girl repeated. "Your country may be magnificent, but I don't like it," she continued bravely. — There are such dangers at every turn.
— What happened to you?" — What is it? " the voice asked.
"I was attacked by an Ogre on the way. He would have eaten me if I hadn't been rescued by my loyal friends — the Scarecrow, the Elemental Tiger, the Tin Woodman, and Nikita. And then we were chased by Sabertoothed Tigers and Kalidas... and then we got into a terrible poppy field… Oh, this is a real sleepy kingdom! Lion, Toto, and I fell asleep there. And if it hadn't been for the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Taffy, Kaggi-Carr, the Tiger, Nikita, and the mice, we would have slept there until we died… Yes, all this is enough to tell for a whole day. And now I ask you: please fulfill the five cherished wishes of my friends, and when you fulfill them, you and I will have to return home.
— Why would I have to bring you home?"
"Because it's written in Willina's magic book."…
"Ah, the good witch of the Yellow Country, I have heard of her," said the voice. — Her predictions don't always come true.
"And because," Ellie continued, " the strong must help the weak. You are a great sage and wizard, and I am a helpless little girl.
"You were strong enough to kill an evil sorceress," the Head said.
"It was Willina's magic that did it," the girl said simply. — It's not my fault.
"That's my answer," said the Living Head, and its eyes whirled with such extraordinary rapidity that Ellie screamed in fright. — I don't do anything for nothing. If you want to use my magic art to return home, you must do what I tell you to do.
The Head's eyes blinked many times in succession. Despite her fright, Ellie watched the eyes with interest and waited to see what they would do next. The movements of the eyes did not correspond at all to the words of the Head and the tone of its voice, and it seemed to the girl that the eyes lived an independent life.
The head waited for the question.
— But what am I supposed to do?" Ellie asked, surprised.
"Free the Purple Land from the power of the evil sorceress Bastinda," the Head replied.
— But I can't!" Ellie cried, startled.
— You ended the Munchkin slavery and managed to get the magic silver shoes of Gingema. There is only one evil sorceress left in my country, and under her rule the poor, timid Winkies, the inhabitants of the Purple Country, are languishing. We need to give them freedom too…
— But how do you do it?" Ellie asked. — I can't kill the sorceress Bastinda, can I?"
The voice faltered for a moment. — I don't care. You can put her in a cage, you can banish her from the Purple Country, you can… But in the end — "the voice said angrily —" you'll see what you can do on the spot!" All that matters is getting rid of the Winkies, and from what you've told me about yourself and your friends, you can and should do it. So said Goodwin, the Great and Terrible, and his word is law!
The girl began to cry.
— You're asking the impossible of us!"
"Every reward must be earned," the Head said dryly. "That's my last word: you'll be back in Kansas with your father and mother when you've freed the Winkies. Remember that Bastinda is a powerful and evil sorceress, terribly powerful and evil, and you must deprive her of her magic power. Go and don't come back to me until you've completed your task.
A sad Ellie left the throne room and returned to her friends, who were anxiously waiting for her.
"There is no hope! the girl said tearfully. "Goodwin ordered me to strip the evil Bastinda of her magical powers, and I will never do that!"..
Everyone was sad, but no one could comfort Ellie. She went into her room and cried herself to sleep. Taffy comforted her as best he could.
The next day, Goodwin called Taffy in. Taffy went into the throne room and saw a giant Leopard on the throne. It was large, and its yellow fur was iridescent with black spots.
Taffy was very frightened, but he pulled himself together and bowed to Goodwin.
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Who are you and why have you come to me?
— I'm Taffy, the Munchkin mouse. All my life, I have endured ridicule from my peers because of my small stature. Please, great Goodwin, give me a new growth.
— Why should I help you?"
— Because you are the most powerful wizard in our land, and only you can help me."
"I don't do anything for nothing," said the Leopard. "Defeat Bastinda, and then I will grant you your wish."
— But you gave it to Ellie!" the mouse cried.
— I don't care who defeats Bastinda, but remember that as long as Bastinda lives, you'll still be a baby." Go and earn your height.
Frustrated, Taffy went to his friends and told them everything.
The next morning the green-bearded Soldier came for the Scarecrow.
"Follow me, Goodwin is waiting for you."
The Scarecrow went into the throne room and saw on the throne a beautiful Sea Maiden with a shiny fish tail. The Maiden's face was as still as a mask, her eyes fixed on a single point. The maiden was fanning herself, making monotonous mechanical movements with her hand.
The Scarecrow, who had expected to see a Living Head or a Leopard, was taken aback, but then he gathered his courage and bowed respectfully. The Sea Maiden said in a pleasant, low voice that seemed to come from the outside:
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Who are you and why have you come to me?
"I am a scarecrow stuffed with straw," said the Scarecrow. "My name is Scarecrow. I'm asking you to give me some brains for my straw head. Then I will be like all the people in your domain, and this is my dearest wish.
— Why are you making this request to me?"
— Because you are wise, and no one but you can help me."
"My favours are not given in vain," replied the Sea Maiden. "And here's my answer: take away Bastinda's magic power, and I'll give you so many brains — and beautiful brains!" "that you'll be the wisest man in Goodwin's land."
— But you ordered Ellie and Taffy to do it!" "Oh!" cried the Scarecrow, in surprise.
"I don't care who does it," the voice said. — But know this: as long as the Winkies remain Bastinda's slaves, your request will not be granted. Go and earn your brains.
The Scarecrow trudged sadly back to his friends and told them how Goodwin had received him. Everyone was surprised to hear that Goodwin had appeared to the Scarecrow in the form of a beautiful Sea Maiden.
"Yes, apparently every time we enter the throne room, Goodwin will take on a new form," Nikita said. - Shapeshifter… That farmer didn't lie to us.
The next day, the Soldier summoned the Tin Woodman. When he came to the throne room, carrying an axe on his shoulder, which he never parted with, he did not see a Living Head, a Leopard, or a beautiful Maiden. On the throne was a monstrous beast. It had a face like a boar's, only with a horn, and about a dozen eyes were scattered on it, staring blankly in different directions. A dozen legs of varying lengths and thicknesses hung from the clumsy body. The animal's skin was covered with shaggy fur in some places: in some places the skin was bare, and warty growths protruded on the rough gray surface.
A more hideous monster could not be imagined. Any man's heart would have leapt with fear at the sight of him. But Goode had no heart, so he was not afraid and politely greeted the monster. Still, he was very disappointed, for he had expected to see Goodwin in the form of a beautiful Maiden, who, in the opinion of the Woodcutter, would rather give him a heart.
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" the beast roared in a voice that came not from the monster's mouth, but from the far corner of the room. — Who are you, and why are you bothering me?"
— I am Goode Curley, a Woodman made of iron. I have no heart, and I cannot love. Give me a heart, and I will be like all normal people in your country. And this is my dearest wish.
— All wishes and wishes! Indeed, to satisfy all your cherished desires, I must sit day and night at my magic books. And after a pause, the voice added, " If you want a heart, earn it!"
"How?"
"Take Bastinda, put her in a stone dungeon!" You'll get the biggest, kindest, and most loving heart in Goodwin Country! the monster snarled.
The Tin Woodman got angry and stepped forward, taking the axe from his shoulder. Hood's movement was so swift that the beast was startled. He squealed angrily:
"Don't move!" One more step forward — and you and your friends will not be well!
The Tin Woodman left the throne room in confusion and hurried with the bad news to his friends.
The Cowardly Lion said fiercely:
"I'm a coward, but I guess I'll have to face off with this Goodwin guy tomorrow." If he appears in the form of a terrible beast, I will bark, as at Sabertoothed Tigers and Kalidas, and frighten him. If he takes the form of a Sea Maiden or a Leopard, I'll grab him and talk to him in my own way. And best of all, if he were a Living Head — I would roll him from corner to corner and toss him like a ball until he fulfills all our wishes.
The next morning it was the Cowardly Lion's turn to go to Goodwin, but when he entered the throne room, he jumped back in amazement: a Ball of Fire swung and shone above the throne. Lev squeezed his eyes shut.
A voice came from the corner:
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Who are you and why are you bothering me?
— I'm A Cowardly Lion!" I would like to get just a little bit of courage from you to become the king of the beasts, as everyone calls me.
"Help us drive Bastinda out of the Purple Land, and all the courage in Goodwin's palace will be yours!" But if you don't, you'll always be a coward. I will enchant you, and you will be afraid of mice, frogs, and other small creatures!
The angry Lion started to sneak up on the Fireball to grab it, but the heat was so strong that the Lion howled and ran out of the throne room with its tail between its legs. He went back to his friends and told them about the reception the Great Goodwin had given him.
"Five times is definitely not a coincidence," Tiger said. It's my turn next, and he'll probably send me to Bastinda, too.
The next day, when Tiger entered the throne room, he saw a red-haired lady wearing a green dress on the throne. However, the green glasses and red hair seemed to shine green.
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Why did you come to me, legendary guardian of our country?
The Tiger stepped forward and spoke:
"Great Goodwin, I ask for your help. I can't remember the name of the good wizard who once created me. He lived about seven hundred years ago. Will you help me?" I'll do whatever you think is necessary to do it.
"Unfortunately, I can't even help you for nothing, although I really want to," the lady said sincerely. - Help your friends defeat Bastinda and then I will look in my archives and try to help you.
Tiger, with his head down, went to his friends and told them all that Goodwin had told him.
"Well, friends," said Nikita. "The next run is mine, and Goodwin will definitely send me to that old pepper-pot with you."
The next day, when Nikita entered the throne room, he found Zeus sitting on the throne with his mouth open. The fake god had blue eyes and white hair and beard. He was dressed in a snow-white toga.
— I am Goodwin, the Great and Terrible!" Who are you and why have you come to me?
— My name is Nikita, I come from Moscow. The hurricane brought me here with Ellie. Please bring me home.
— Where did you get the Omnitrix and the magic sword?"
— I found the sword, along with this bow and quiver, in Gingema's cave when I was exploring, and I found the Omnitrix months ago.
— What makes you think I'll grant you your wish right now?" Kill Bastinda and I'll bring you home.
Nikita got angry and was about to draw his sword from its scabbard, but he received the same threat as Good three days ago. With his head bowed, Nikita told his friends about the reception at Goodwin's.
— What will happen to us?" Ellie asked sadly.
"There's nothing to do but try to follow Goodwin's orders," Nikita said.
— And if it doesn't?" the girl objected.
"Then we will not see our desires as our ears," replied the Tiger.
Ellie wiped away her tears and said:
- We should try it! But I am sure that for all the good in the world I would not dare to lay a hand on Bastinda.
— What makes you think you're going alone?" Nikita was surprised. "Did you forget what I told you?" I swore to protect you while we were here.
"And I will go with you," said the Lion, " for though I am too cowardly to help you in the fight against the evil sorceress, perhaps my services will be of some use."
"I'll go too," said the Scarecrow. "Really, I can't be of any use; I'm too stupid!"
"I have not the heart to offend Bastinda, though she is a very, very bad woman," said Goode.
"I'm too small and weak to attack Bastinda," Taffy said. — But I'm willing to give all my mouse strength to defeat her!"
"I'll go with you, too," said the Tiger. "You'll need help and protection."
— I'm coming with you, too, you're my friends!" Kaggi-Carr croaked.
"Well, Toto," said the dog, gravely, " Toto, of course, will never leave his comrades in trouble.
The children warmly thanked their loyal friends.
They decided to go the next day early in the morning.
The Tin Woodman sharpened his axe, carefully oiled all the joints, and filled the oil can to the top with the best oil. The Scarecrow found himself a new, stronger oak pole, and asked him to fill it with fresh straw. Ellie got a paintbrush and some paint, and put fresh makeup on his eyes, mouth, and ears, which were faded from the dust of the road and the bright sun. Taffy had taken a pin as a sword-something to defend himself with, surely? The Lion and Tiger practiced their skills in the backyard and were ready to go. Nikita sharpened his sword and took another bunch of new arrows in his quiver, and also took a very strong rope with him-just in case. Flita filled Nikita's backpack to the brim with delicious food and two bottles of water. She combed the fur and feathers of Toto and Kaggi-Carr, and tied a silver bell and a green ribbon around their necks.
At dawn, they were awakened by the call of a green rooster that lived in the backyard.