FOUR

"Who killed my sister?" cackled Prue.

"Oh, please," said Phoebe.

"That's the Wicked Witch of the West," said Piper. "She's very powerful."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," said Phoebe. "Now I guess she's going after the ruby slippers."

"The slippers," cackled Prue. "Yes, the slippers. I musk have them."

Prue, in the over exaggerate walk of the witch in the movie, moved over to Dorothy's house. As she bent down to take the slippers, they suddenly vanished and the feet shriveled away.

"The slippers," screamed Prue. "Where are the ruby slippers?"

"There they are and there they'll stay," said Piper, pointing to Phoebe's feet.

Just as in the movie, the ruby slippers had magically appeared on Phoebe's feet.

"Give me the slippers," demanded Prue. "Only I can use their magic. There are of no use to you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," said Phoebe, looking at Piper, "hang on to them tightly. They're magic must be very great for her to want them so badly."

"That's right," said Piper. "Don't let them off your feet for even an instant."

"This isn't over," crackled Prue. "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.

In a puff of smoke, Prue vanished from the village.

"This is quickly becoming tiresome," said Phoebe. "I don't think I want to play any more. I need to find a way out of here."

"Well," said Piper, "the only one who might be able to help you . . ."

"...Is the "Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz," finished Phoebe. "I remember, and let me guess. All I have to do is follow the yellow brick road, right?"

"Yes," said Piper. "Follow the yellow brick road."

"Follow the yellow brick road," repeated the Munchkins in unison. "Follow the yellow brick road."

"I've had enough of this," said Phoebe. "Maybe if I don't go along with this, the spell will be broken. I'll just go back in the house and wait."

She turned to move to Dorothy's house and suddenly found herself away from the village. A field stretched as far as she could see on either side of the yellow brick road. To her left, sitting on a lone tree stump, was the warlock.

"That's not going to happen," he said smiling.