Author's Note

I've been looking for excuses to bring Zero back into the story, I'll admit it. I loved Callum Keith Rennie's portrayal of the character, and always wished he could be given the same kind of depth and menace that he had in Battlestar Galactica. Seeing as it was only a miniseries, I'll forgive SyFy... this time.

I don't own Tin Man, Wizard of Oz, or any other licensed material in relation to them, just the naughty little thoughts running through my head.

This and subsequent chapters may be a bit rough, and please expect some edits, as I am rushing to get this completed before the New Year. If you see anything that needs work, please send me a note!

Here's to ending this dumpster fire of a year!

-WR

Chapter Nineteen

All things, at one time or another, must come to an end, it has been said, and in Wyatt and DG's case, it usually came to a crashing conclusion that left both feeling as if they'd stepped unscathed from a train wreck. At least, this was what Wyatt thought as his eyes crept open on the morning of the second day. It was probably an unfair assessment from the Tin Man, but it was at least an effective means of rousing him from his comfortable slumber and getting him out of bed. DG groaned in protest when he slid away from her, reaching in vain for him as his feet hit the plush carpet and he pushed away from the edge of the bed.

"Sorry Darlin'" Wyatt sighed as he stepped away from the bed and strode into the dressing room, calling out as he dressed, "but I have to get downstairs and deal with Vizor." He stepped back into the room with his shoes on and a pair of slacks hanging open around his waist, his bare chest taunting her though his open shirt. His crystalline eyes caught her staring and they narrowed on her when he added seriously, "and you have your own issues to deal with. I'm sure your parents will want you close given what happened."

DG averted her eyes guiltily and grumbled as she too exited the bed, "Okay, I get it, Wyatt. Just do me a favor and take Tutor with you, okay? I don't like the idea of you getting attacked by that weasel. I'd still like to rearrange his face – "

DG was getting flustered, and her face had reddened considerably as she stormed to his side of the bed, intent on crossing past him to the dressing room while she spoke. Wyatt stopped her midstride and mid-soliloquy, with his hands planted firmly on either shoulder, and he grimaced in sympathetic concern as he spoke, "Dorothy, I promise I'll be careful, but I need you to take it easy. Raw said you're still weak. If you get yourself lit up like one of your Christmas trees, you're liable to end up in the medicoat wing or worse. Trust me, okay?"

DG let out an exasperated huff while Wyatt's eyes leveled on her and his thumbs rubbed her upper arms soothingly. She swallowed a nod and fully intended on replying, when a hard flutter in her stomach stopped her, and her eyes grew wide in surprise. "Wyatt!" She exclaimed in delighted surprise, and she grabbed his hand and planted it on her abdomen.

It happened again, and this time, it was like a focused kick on the Tin Man's hand, like his daughter too had a few things she had to get off her chest. Wyatt's face morphed into a wide array of expressions, beginning with mild confusion, and ending in giddy excitement when he'd very clearly been kicked in the palm. "Great Glenda!" He laughed nervously, and his hand raised to DG's cheek, which he caressed lovingly before leaning in to offer her a happy kiss.

DG giggled through their kiss, seemingly forgetting her prior flash of anger, and delighting in the simplicity of the moment. As soon as their delight had appeared, it was gone again however, and Wyatt's face grew serious once more as he continued to caress DG's cheek. "Dorothy, you and our daughter are why I'm doing this. Not for any crown, and definitely not because I want some nostalgic run through my days as a Tin Man before she gets here." He paused to breathe, and his suddenly pained eyes searched the ceiling above their heads before he met her eyes once more and admitted in a choked voice, "Dorothy, I don't know what Roquat has in mind, beyond wanting make sure you stop breathing. I'll do anything to make sure he doesn't make that happen, and I need you to promise me that you won't get in the way. Promise me, Dorothy."

As emphatic as the Tin Man was as he looked down on her, DG could not get past the memory of similar parting over two annuals past. They'd both survived that day, and somehow, she knew they'd make it through this storm as well. Despite this, the pained expression in Wyatt's eyes still twisted her heart and stilled her usual kneejerk reactions.

"I promise," DG finally replied softly, and she lifted herself up on the tips of her toes to add a soft kiss, sealing her commitment to her husband with what she suspected might be one of the last bits of sweetness between them before they were both thrown into the fray once more.

Wyatt had barely melted into their kiss before he stepped away with a wistful expression in his eyes. It felt unnatural to be leaving her at such a time, when she was vulnerable, and her protective circle virtually scattered to the wind. He could only watch as she buttoned his shirt for him, her cerulean eyes studying his body as she encased him in the crisp white cotton, until her fingers glanced over his adam's apple briefly on their way to his cheeks, which she touched softly before pulling him down to her once more. It was a bittersweet meeting when Wyatt encircled her bare waist with his arms and dragged her against his chest, and the whimper that sounded from her mouth as he deepened the kiss was anything but happy. It was all they had, though, and when they parted once more, it was difficult for them to meet each other's eyes, knowing that there, love and hope had become mingled with fear and uncertainty.

When blue eyes did meet again, their shared resolve burned between them instead of fear – for a Cain does not give up – but that silent oath between the two Cains was interrupted by a knock that rung out like a shot, causing the attention of both to waiver and flash on the door. Wyatt's hand lingered on DG's shoulder briefly before he crossed to the door and she to the dressing room, both suddenly moved to take their places. Wyatt paused with his hand on the door to watch DG disappear behind the closed door of the dressing room, and he huffed minutely as he turned to open their bedroom door a crack, spying Gates on the other side.

"Beggin' your pardon, Sir, but you're needed downstairs. It's the prisoner, sir." Gates announced, his tone apologetic and his eyes flickering with alarm.

Wyatt straightened considerably at the mention of Vizor, and he nodded before stepping through the door and shutting it. Gates' unspoken concern could only mean one thing; something had happened, but it hadn't been a run-of-the-mill escape, otherwise Gates would have just gone out and said so. He paused to gaze at the open doors of what he now knew to be his study, and a curious thought ran through him when he remembered his unconventional arrival. Artie had been instrumental in getting him there so fast and could prove just as useful now that the tide appeared to have turned again, and it occurred to him that he hadn't seen him since entering his study for the first time. Instead of crossing to outer doors, he moved swiftly to his study while he considered this, asking Gates cautiously as he went, "Was there a man with me when I got here the other night, Gates?"

He stepped through the French doors and stood in the center of the room, his eyes critically surveying every corner of the room. Behind him, standing just inside the door, was a rather baffled guard, and he answered with a question in his voice, "No sir, it was just you. Should there have been someone else?"

Wyatt's eyes continued to scan, and they stopped at a familiar lamp sitting in the center of his desk. It was the lamp from the Seeker's hut – which meant that Artie had not really followed him past this room, and probably intended to remain anonymous. He intentionally let his eyes rove past this sight, and instead he located his fedora, coat, and gun belt, and swept over to them to don them as he replied to Gates. "No, I was just making sure I wasn't followed. Tell me about Vizor, Gates. What's going on?"

Gates waited for the Tin Man to finish dressing and did not reply until the man's steely stare pierced through him from under the man's trademark hat. "It'd be best if you saw if for yourself, sir. I don't rightly think you'll be able to get much out've him now."

Wyatt huffed though a frown, and he only offered Gates one final order as he swept past. "Stay with DG, Gates. She's going to need you. This isn't over yet."

"Yes sir," the man called back as Wyatt swept through the sitting room and out the double doors. Before he shut the door, his eyes stopped worriedly on the closed doors of his bedroom, where behind them, DG still hid. He had to trust that she'd do as he asked, he reminded himself, and he hoped desperately that he wouldn't have to in the end.

All the hoping in the world couldn't help Vizor, though, he soon discovered. Wyatt had charged through the palace to reach the lowest level, where criminals to the crown had been kept throughout Ozian history. The cells were rarely used, and so many of the were empty except the one that should have held Vizor. This solitary room lay at the end of the long, dim hallway, which was currently lined with nervous looking soldiers, who whispered in hushed voices amongst themselves until Cain's appearance. When Cain strode through, his gaze singularly focused ahead, the men and women instantly grew silent and their stature stonelike and ridged as they stepped back to meld with the walls on either side. Cain was in no mood to address these soldiers, being more concerned with the iron door at the end of the hall that he stalked towards swiftly. The door was pushed wide, and a small group of soldiers was gathered closely at its threshold and was oblivious to the General's approach for their awestruck stares into the interior of the space. Wyatt stopped abruptly just behind this small gathering and cleared his throat suggestively, to which the men crowding the doorway jumped, and parted the way for Cain with apologetic mutterings and averted eyes.

Wyatt's trademark expression seemed plastered permanently on his face at this point, and he grimaced at the men as he moved past them, to step into the small cell. Inside, General Andrus, General Jinjur, and Tutor stood conferring around what appeared to be a statue of the former advisor, staring pleadingly at Cain as he entered.

"Good morning," Wyatt announced himself to the group, and stepped into their lose circle to join in the conversation.

Andrus nodded to Cain and cleared his throat before he replied gruffly, "No so much, I'm afraid Wyatt, it doesn't look like we'll be getting to much intel from this fella here. Tutor seems to think a spell backfired on him when he was trying to escape."

Tutor was still studying the statue when Andrus greeted Cain, and he glanced at his friend momentarily before resuming his analysis. "I said it was a possibility, General," Tutor muttered to himself, as he leaned closer to study the frozen man's hands.

Wyatt remained silent for a moment while Tutor continued his survey, until the man's hands reached to examine the gems glittering in Vizor's hands. "Stop pooch!" Wyatt exclaimed, reaching for Tutor's hand and yanking it away from Vizor.

"Mr. Cain, really!" Tutor protested, his eyes wide and shocked, as he swung around to jerk his hand out of Cain's grasp and exclaimed, "Do you mind telling me what the problem is?"

Wyatt's finger gestured pointedly at the gems in Vizor's hand when he replied in a growl, "Don't touch those unless you want to end up like him." He stopped and swung around to spy the soldiers still standing in the doorway, and he barked, "Sargent, were you on duty when this happened?"

A particularly troubled looking man stepped forward, and despite his age and obvious experience, he seemed visibly intimidated by the glare of the Tin Man and cowered like Raw as he drew near. "Yes, sir. I was."

Wyatt turned to face the Sargent fully, and asked firmly, "Did you hear or see anyone other than the prisoner before this happened?"

The Sargent shook his head resolutely and replied with confidence, "No sir. There wasn't a soul in the prisoner's cell or outside it, other than me and five other men, and the only sound we heard was the prisoner when he started puttin' up a fuss, sir."

Wyatt huffed through his nose and nodded before dismissing the man, "Thank you. That's all for now Sargent." The Sargent saluted the gathering of senior officers, causing them all to respond in kind before he'd leave, at which point the others returned to their questioning study of the tight-lipped Tin Man.

Wyatt seemed unmoved by the curious stares of his cohorts and his eyes rested instead on the gems resting in Vizor's hand. His eyes became unfocused and instead of the room before him, he seemed transported to his adversary's chess board, where he imagined the shriveled hand of Roquat moving pieces with a threatening cackle. He was certain that Vizor's state had been caused by the ancient gnome, and he wondered frantically what he was planning next. Clearly, he'd been able to access Vizor without so much as rousing the suspicion of the man's guard – and these were not the type of soldiers that were easily duped. If Roquat could accomplish that much, he could have easily visited DG as well, which led Wyatt to the conclusion that the man had some larger move to play beyond just taking DG out of the picture. He had the distinct impression that he was being played still, and the feeling did little more than rile him, and convince him that he had to find some way of cutting the marionette strings for good.

"General Jinjur," Wyatt growled as his eyes flicked from Vizor to the woman standing silently at his right elbow, "I'm going to need you to send a message to the Commissioner of the Tin Men."

"What do you have in mind, Cain?" Andrus cut in curiously, folding his arms in front of his chest as if expecting something rather unconventional from his old friend.

Wyatt met Andrus's curious gaze and an eyebrow arched at him when he rumbled distastefully, "We're going to have to go to Plan B, Pete." Andrus huffed in acknowledgement of their meeting over a cycle ago, and Wyatt turned then to the still confused General Jinjur to explain, "We're going to need Damon Zero to take us to Vizor's lab, Jennifer. That's the only link we have left to Roquat now."

"Roquat! You mean Roquat the Red?" Tutor roared in astonishment.

Wyatt nodded minutely at Tutor, his eyes serious and deadly, and he replied darkly, "You got it pooch. Do you think you can work on a few protection spells while I'm gone? This guy can go anywhere, but for some reason, he chose not to pay DG a visit yet. Her protection is your main priority now, and she won't be able to do much to help you herself, got it?"

Tutor was aghast, and his dark eyes were beyond worried when he nodded lamely. Wyatt was satisfied, at least, that he understood the gravity of the situation despite how little he'd said, judging by Tutor's reaction to the name alone. His attention turned back to General Jinjur then, and he fixed her with an intense stare while she considered his comments.

"You won't be taking Zero out of that prison cell without our best team with you. Are we clear, General Cain?" Jinjur finally replied in a commanding, firm voice.

Wyatt's lip twitched in approval of the young woman, and he nodded his agreement in lieu of any other reply. This seemed to satisfy the woman, and she nodded curtly before sweeping past the group, commanding the other soldiers as she went, "Sargent, gather your team and meet General Cain with a truck in rear loading dock in less than an hour." She paused and glanced back at Cain and added, "and make sure that Captain Cain is put back on duty. I believe the Princess will be in need of his protection until the General returns."

Her eyes flickered on the faces of Wyatt and Pete Andrus only momentarily; and a conciliatory smile flashed on her face for a fraction of a second before she swung around once more and exited the room. General Jinjur wasted no time, and almost left Cain behind when she charged upstairs to her office. She only paused once to admit the man into his old office and seemed wholly unaware of him while she scribbled a note on a sheet of paper and sent it whooshing away through the hidden neumotube behind the desk.

It was only when the note had disappeared through the clear glass tube that the flush-faced woman looked up at Cain, and she spoke in a an oddly apologetic voice, "I'm sorry that I had to remove Jeb from duty, Sir. I didn't have any other choice, given the circumstances."

Wyatt's sense of urgency notwithstanding, the woman's sudden change in demeanor puzzled him, and he replied affirmatively, "Jennifer, there's no apology needed. You did what you needed to do. I wouldn't have put you in this position if I thought you'd give my son special favors. Just do me a favor and hold off on the firing squad until I get back, okay?"

"Yes Sir," Jennifer replied with added firmness and a slight smirk.

Wyatt turned to stride to the door, and paused to add thoughtfully, "You might even give him a real chance, Jennifer. He might change your mind about his character. Put yourself on DG's guard duty with him. You'll see."

A look of impetuous challenge seemed to flash in his eyes for a moment before he tipped his hat, and then it was gone, along with the man that had thrown the gauntlet. Wyatt wasted no further time and sped down to the loading docks at the rear of the palace. General Jinjur's appointed team was already in place and waiting by a large, forest green army truck, and seemed itching to move when the General appeared.

There was hardly a word spoken beyond Wyatt's gruff, minimalistic orders, consisting merely of "Watch Zero, and watch my back. We go where he says," and the group set off.

Jennifer's message seemed to reach Manzetti in time, and by the time Wyatt and his team pulled up in front of the Hall of Justice, the large man was standing on the curb, waiting for him to appear. Manzetti was a heavy-set man with dark eyes and thick curly black hair, and spoke with in gruff, familiar terms with most people, even those he didn't really know. Wyatt was an old friend though, so his usual manner was even warmer. He could see that Wyatt was on a mission though, so he did away with his usual greeting and walked hurriedly into the Hall with Wyatt. Manzetti quickly led Wyatt to the holding cells, shutting Wyatt in so that he could chat with Zero without an audience. Zero was asleep on his cot when Wyatt appeared, and did not notice the man standing impatiently on the other side of the bars.

Wyatt tapped his wedding ring on the bars. The sound reverberated through the stone-flanked room like they might have been standing inside of a bell, and Wyatt choked down the urge to wince as he continued the intentional irritation.

In a voice seeping with sarcasm, he spoke loudly when Zero did not rouse, "Knock, knock, Damon."

Zero stretched out as if awaking from a pleasant dream, eyeing Wyatt with passive irritation, "You know, most people call me Zero. I thought you knew that Wyatt."

Wyatt smirked, "Yeah, well, you know what I think of that name. Thought I might be a little nicer today."

Zero sat up and eyed Wyatt suspiciously. He scoffed quietly at Wyatt's dig, grumbling, "What do you want, Your Highness?"

Wyatt sighed, "Look, I'm going to cut to the chase. I need your help, and I'm willing to make your life a little easier if you'll play along."

Zero stood up and strolled over to the bars, and he leaned his face against the bars in a kind of perverse manner as he replied, "I'm listening."

Wyatt expelled an irritated huff and explained in a business-like growl, "I need to get into Vizor's lab, and I know you know the way. If you'll lead me through the traps, I can get you out of your trip to the Black Hills." Wyatt spoke through gritted teeth, hating that he was doing anything for Zero, but he needed help quickly, and couldn't be discriminating.

Zero grinned, looking directly into Wyatt's eyes, while he replied in an almost taunting tone, "Sure Wyatt, I'll help, but I have to warn you, it'll be dangerous."

Wyatt's eyes narrowed on the smiling man and he asked suspiciously, "What's with the easy compliance, Zero? I thought you'd rather see me rot than help me. Isn't that what you told Adora when you put me in that iron suit?"

Zero stepped away from the bars and shrugged noncommittally. He seemed to consider his answer for a moment before he finally offered cryptically, "Let's just say I'm helping myself more than I'm helping you. I doubt you'll find very much inside that lab besides trouble. Might be entertaining to be a fly on the wall at the very least."

Wyatt tried his best to ignore Zero's suggestive answer and grimaced at him before turning to stride to the door. He rapped on the heavy door and stood aside in expectation of the guard's return. Zero's grinning face on the other end of the room was a little like being taunted by some kind of manic clown, and Wyatt's best response was a stony expression, aimed directly at the man as he waited. Their eyes remained locked in a silent battle until Manzetti and two guards finally appeared, at which point Zero stepped away from the bars in expectation of his escort. As two guards, flanked in the front by Cain and in the rear by Manzetti, marched the prisoner through the building and outside, Zero continued to taunt them all. He walked with an air of superiority that had his captors seething under their breath, and onlookers glaring as if trying to find the target on his back. Once outside, the Tin Men gladly relinquished their custody of the man to the Royal Army officers waiting by the truck, and a few even spit on the curb in disgust as he walked past, arrogant as ever in his manner.

Zero got into the back of the truck willingly, but not before waving sweetly to the men sneering at him on the curb. "Bye-bye boys, it's been real!" Zero called out before the door slammed on his face.

As the truck rolled through the streets of Central City and headed out of town, Zero gazed contentedly out the window. In a pleasant, nonchalant voice, he called out to the driver, "Hey bud, make for the Realm, you get me?" The driver ignored Zero, continuing to mind the road instead. Zero sneered at the man and turned back to his quiet gaze of the landscape passing by. After a few minutes, a sly smile crept up on his face, and he turned to Wyatt, "So, Wyatt. How's married life? When do I get to see the missus again?"

Wyatt moved at lightning speed, pinning Zero to the door of the truck with his forearm. His eyes were ice cold and blazing when he growled, "Let's get one thing straight, Zero. You will not speak of DG or Adora in my presence again, or I will take you apart the way I should have back at the resistance camp."

Zero's eyes showed fear in that moment, and he gulped hard against Wyatt's arm. As he squirmed to get free, he tried to ease Wyatt down, "Oh come on Cain, you wouldn't torture me, would you? We used to be friends once upon a time, right?"

Wyatt relinquished his hold on Zero's throat and sat back into his seat. Zero was too busy grasping his neck to notice the look of anger mingled with sadness on Wyatt's face. He only looked at Wyatt again when Wyatt muttered just so he could hear, "We were friends until you betrayed the Tin Men. Until you betrayed me. Did you really think I wouldn't find out about your little side business Damon? That I wouldn't turn you in?"

Zero scoffed in return, "No, I really didn't Wyatt. I thought I could trust you. Seems I was wrong."

"Yeah well, all of that pales in comparison with everything else you've done since then, doesn't it?" Wyatt seethed, meeting Zero's eyes again, daggers flying from his eyes.

Zero turned away and gritted his teeth, "We all have to choose which way to walk down the Old Road, don't we? I went one way, and you went the other, and here we are." He then smiled and waved to their surroundings.

Wyatt nodded curtly and turned away, "Guess so. Let's just get this over with, alright?"

Zero sniffed in return and nodded, turning silently back to his window.

The rest of the journey passed in relative silence. What had previously taken Wyatt over two days on horseback only took hours by truck, although they bumped along uncomfortably, until finally reaching the edge of the settlement just after sunset. From here, they traveled by foot to the hatch door in the pasture outside the settlement. Zero walked between two sets of guardsmen, followed closely by Wyatt, who kept his handgun out and trained on the man, who walked as if on a stroll. When they reached the hatch, three guardsmen when down first, followed by Zero, then the rest of the guards. Bringing up the rear was Wyatt, who dropped down from the ladder with a light thud.

"It's this way," Zero spoke in a low, serious tone, motioning for Wyatt and the others to follow.

Wyatt stayed close behind Zero as they turned down a little used alleyway. Suddenly, Zero stopped short, causing Wyatt to run into him, the tip of his gun poking Zero in the back. "Hey, watch what you're doing with that thing," Zero growled, turning back to Wyatt with a scowl.

Wyatt ignored Zero's protest and peered over Zero's shoulder, uncertain of why they had stopped. At first glance, it appeared that they had stopped at a wall, where boxes and random trash were piled high.

"What gives Zero?" Wyatt growled.

Zero held up his hands on either side of his face and smiled, "Easy there Tin Man, we're here." As he spoke, his hand came down on the wall, and the boxes sprung to the side, revealing an opening in the wall.

Wyatt almost stepped forward, but Zero stopped him. The expression on his face was one of utmost seriousness, and he glanced back at the other guardsmen as he spoke, "Look Wyatt," he spoke in earnest, "we're about to deal with some pretty hairy traps. I can get you through, but I can't vouch for your men."

Wyatt's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and Zero, recognizing Wyatt's look of disbelief, turned around to face the opening with an exasperated sigh. He paused for a moment to pick up a piece of broken brick on the ground, and after a silent count, he tossed it down the hall. The result was surprising, as the walls snapped together, pummeling the brick into dust.

"Happy?" Zero asked sarcastically.

Wyatt sighed before turning back to his men and issuing orders, "Stay here. If he comes out without me, shoot him. Understood?"

Wyatt's men nodded in affirmation and watched apprehensively as Wyatt followed Zero into the opening. Zero silently danced about the poorly lit hall, Wyatt following in his wake in quiet and careful mockery. Finally, Zero stopped in front of a large door, but before opening it, he turned to check on Wyatt, who had just reached the landing behind him and was breathing heavily.

As Zero waited, letting Wyatt catch his breath, he spoke in low tone, "You know, I might have put you in an Iron suit, but you betrayed me first Wyatt." His eyes flickered on the man next to him, as if trying to find a glimmer of something still tying them together.

"What the hell are you on about," Wyatt panted.

Zero's brow furrowed and his jaw hardened at Wyatt's response and he scoffed derisively. "I lost everything twice because of you," Zero seethed. Then, meeting Wyatt's quiet gaze, he grunted. "Forget it Cain, I don't expect you to understand." Zero pushed the heavy door open with a shove of his shoulder and paused in the darkness ahead. Wyatt was starting to get nervous at the man's sudden lack of communication, so he crept forward cautiously.

"Zero," he hissed.

There was no sound ahead and the hairs on the back of Wyatt's head were standing on end. He decided that he would have to take a chance, despite his apprehension, and stepped into the room. In an instant, the door slammed behind him, and Wyatt took a deep resigned breath, knowing that he had made the wrong choice. In the next instant, he felt something heavy strike him on the back of the head, and stars burst in front of his eyes as he lost consciousness.

Wyatt had no idea how much time had passed, but the next thing he knew, his foot was being kicked. Next, he felt cold steel poke him hard in the stomach.

"Wakey Wakey, Your Highness," Zero taunted him, prodding at Wyatt with the tip of the gun he had taken from him after knocking him out.

When Wyatt slowly came to, his head pounded, and he had trouble keeping the room from spinning. He grunted as he pushed himself up on his elbows and winced when he attempted to scan the room around him once more. Wyatt quickly discovered that he'd landed on the floor of what appeared to be a large laboratory, judging by the instruments around the periphery of the room, and the cold tile under his hand that gleamed as if polished by hand. The air was damp as if they were deep underground, deeper than the Realm of the Unwanted even, and there was a faint chemical smell that tickled his nose and made his stomach turn when he inhaled too deeply.

An almost kindly voice sounded from somewhere in front of him when Wyatt's eyes widened on the sight of the room, and Wyatt struggled to find the familiar source of the voice. "Oh dear, I'm sorry to have to wake you Sir Cain, but I wanted so much to thank you."

Wyatt winced in the uneven light, trying to place the location of the voice. From out of the shadows crept the familiar form of Roquat, and in the bright light of the laboratory lamps, Wyatt was finally able to survey him sufficiently. In the firelight of the hut, he had appeared as an old, shriveled man with limp hair. Under this light, however, Wyatt realized that there was much more to his appearance than he'd originally noted, and he was oddly rapt in cataloguing it all. His grey skin was scaly and translucent, like it barely maintained its integrity in holding the man together. His body was crumpled, and hunched, and he walked with a visible limp as he surveyed his prey. His wizened eyes seemed to glow red under the lights when he studied Cain, and Wyatt could not help the cold dread that settled in his chest the longer the man smiled on him.

"Hi Red," Wyatt breathed out, "I thought I might see you again."

Roquat crept forward a few steps and leaned down to peer at Wyatt with interest, "Yes, it seems that our business was unfinished before. I believe I made you a promise when I last saw you, that I am still intent on keeping." There was no mistaking the malice in Roquat's voice as he said this, and Wyatt felt a chill run down his back as he said it. Roquat continued on, however, "I wanted so much to thank you for delivering our friend here. Mr. Zero has told me quite a bit about your sordid history while you've been napping. Seems you have a bit of duplicitous nature, Your Highness. I had a great deal of trouble convincing him not to kill you right out."

Wyatt raised his head in false confidence and glared at the old man, "So why didn't you then? Have to play with your food first?"

Roquat laughed, and sneering down at Wyatt, "Oh, you're much more important than that. Without you, how would I ever hope to meet your lovely wife, after all?"

"DG won't come." Wyatt scoffed, suddenly afraid for the thought of the slippers still in her possession.

Roquat squatted in front of Wyatt now and laughed low, "Dear boy, I'm not a fool, and neither are you." Roquat stood back up now and looked down on his prey, speaking thoughtfully, "It seems that treachery runs deep in the Gale women. Your wife, sir, promised not to get in your way. She did not promise to not leave."

Wyatt felt his stomach clench. "How would you know?" Wyatt seethed.

As Wyatt was challenging him, Roquat strolled over to a picture frame on an easel in the center of the room, almost expecting such a response. When Wyatt was done speaking, Roquat dragged the easel across the floor, causing Wyatt to wince in pain when its feel squealed angrily on the tile. Roquat brought the easel close enough so Wyatt could see it, and then turned to the frame, speaking in a commanding voice, "Show me Dorothy Gale."

The picture swirled as if someone was stirring a paint can, and DG slowly came into view. DG was just emerging from her dressing room, pulling a smock over her naked body as she strode towards her own easel. As she sat down in front of the canvas, she hummed lightly, and the sound of her voice was faint and tinny.

"Your wife," Roquat stated flatly, "has found a way to enchant her slippers, as you know, and they have enabled her to go anywhere. I'm not sure I know how, unless she got help from a very dead Queen, but it's been rather entertaining watching her practice all the same, as I'm sure it has been for you as well."

Roquat eyed Wyatt knowingly, and Wyatt's stomach gave an unpleasant turn as he recalled the night before they had captured Vizor. He had though DG's appearance in the Seeker's hut had been a dream at first, and when his daze turned to waking, he had been riddled with fear of what could happen to her. That fear had only been a small twinge in his gut until that moment when Roquat stared straight into him, tearing apart every aspect of his private life, making him feel exposed. His exposure was nothing compared to DG's, and his blood began to boil out of control as Roquat continued speaking.

Roquat tilted his head as he watched Wyatt's wife, and spoke thoughtfully as if he were appraising a piece of art, glancing at Wyatt all the while, "She's really quite a vision, for a human that is. And, oh my, so flexible too. Tell me, don't you feel so very – what's the word – lucky?" Wyatt's body clenched, and he fought the urge to tear Roquat apart. When Roquat began to refer to his wife as nothing more than property, Wyatt's entire body clenched in fury. Wyatt had heard enough and started to jump up, but he was stopped by a firm set of hands, that held him down in his supplicant position. This seemed to amuse Roquat, and he cackled menacingly as he continued to stare down into the Tin Man's furious eyes.

Roquat finally caught his breath from the laugh that issued from his lips and sighed, "No matter, she'll be dead soon anyway. When you don't reappear as expected, she'll come looking for you, and find this lovely gift." Roquat waved at the picture frame and then stepped forward to pluck the hat off Wyatt's head.

"One question, Red," Wyatt spoke haltingly, "If all you needed was the belt and you could travel anywhere, why not just pop by the palace and take care of it. Why all of this cloak and dagger business?"

Roquat paused and twirled Wyatt's hat in his hand, replying simply, "Why go to all of that trouble and put a poor old man at risk when I knew you'd come and find me?" Roquat then turned to Zero and ordered, "Watch him, and don't let him move a muscle"

Zero scoffed, "Oh, I think I can manage that." With that, Zero turned the gun on Wyatt's leg and pulled the trigger. Wyatt felt the bullet as it tore through muscle and bone as if it were a hot blade passing though butter. The heat as it tore through him was so searing that he could hardly keep his eyes open, and the warmth of blood gushing through the gash was oddly comforting, if not for the woozy feeling that accompanied the sudden loss.

As Wyatt cried out in agony, Roquat laughed maliciously. "Oh my friend, you truly are a heartless one," Roquat mused with a smile in Zero's direction, adding thoughtfully, "I think we'll get along famously." Then, turning to Wyatt, he placed his hands on his belt and offered brightly, "I'll be right back, Sir Cain. Can't keep your lovely wife waiting."

He muttered something under his breath, and disappeared, picture frame and Wyatt's hat in hand.