A/N: Thank you for my reviews, my dears. Cookies to all! (Throws out cookies to those who were kind enough to review)

Phantom Aria: Thank you for your review! :-) Actually, my phriend had to tell me what the black stone was called, hehe.

Opera Ghost1881: Thanks for the review! Yes, she is out of Oz... Do you like Wicked? I couldn't help but notice 'Elphie' in your profile. Doesn't she rock?!

Sharonarnotdon: Thank you for the review! :-) It means a lot to me!

Disclaimer: A new character is added in! :-) Nadir is a talking tree! :-D And I do not own him. He belongs to Susan Kay. I also don't own Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas or Smokey the Bear :-D hehe.

Chapter 2: New Friends

Christine hummed the tune, but she had ceased her prancing once Ayesha had just about had enough of it.

"Hmm, where did you get that Advil, Ayesha?" The girl questioned, looking down at the cat in the basket; however, her attention was soon focused on a fork in the road. "Oh, pooh! 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road'!" She mimicked bitterly, "Right, but which way am I supposed to follow it?" Glancing at a limp scarecrow in the middle, she gently placed the basket on the ground.

"That way is very nice." A voice guaranteed her.

"W-Who said that?" Christine gasped, her eyes darting in every direction. Now out of the extremely petite basket where she could breathe, Ayesha meowed incessantly at the scarecrow, whose arm was pointing towards the right. "Hah! Don't be silly, Ayesha. Scarecrows don't talk."

"It's pleasant down that way, too!" The voice piped up again.

Frowning, she gawked at the scarecrow, taking a glimpse at her cat. "That's funny... Wasn't his arm pointing the other way?"

"Of course, people do go both ways!" The scarecrow declared, crossing his arms so that both fingers pointed in opposite directions.

Emitting a piercing scream, Christine jumped backwards, her mouth hanging open. Her eyes appeared as if they were oceans of disbelief.

"ACK! YOU'RE TALKING!" She screeched, grasping her blonde hair. "AYESHA, IT'S THE WICKED WITCH IN DISGUISE! RUN!" She clutched the basket, beginning to scurry back towards Munchkinland. "My, Ayesha, you've become much lighter! Have you been eating differently?" She questioned, peering down to see an empty basket. "Oops."

Turning on her heel, the girl returned to the fork in the road, only to find the Siamese cat playing with a piece of straw under the scarecrow.

"Hey! That's mine! Look, my foot's flat now! Hey, come on! Give it back!" The scarecrow pleaded with Ayesha, who showed no signs of listening or caring.

Approaching the scarecrow once more, Christine gulped. "So... you really can talk?"

He nodded... then shook his head... then nodded again. He repeated this process until he became exceptionally dizzy.

Tilting her head, she wrinkled her nose. "Are you doing that on purpose, or can't you make up your mind?"

"That's the problem!" He exclaimed, sniffling. "I can't make up my mind. I haven't got one – only straw."

"Oh... well, how come you can talk if you haven't got a brain?"

"I don't know... but people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they?"

Slumping her shoulders, she agreed by nodding. "I suppose you're right!" Smiling sweetly, she sauntered up to her new friend. "My name's Christine. I'm pleased to meet you!"

Looking down at Christine, he grinned. "My name is... Hmm..." His voice trailed off, and the atmosphere about them was silent until his eyes lit up. "Ah, sorry. That's the trouble with not having a brain. What was the question?"

"What's your name?"

"Oh, yes! I'm Raoul."

"Here, let me help you get down, Raoul..." She offered.

"That's very kind of you – very kind." He replied before falling with an 'oof'.

"Oh! Are you all right?"

"Yes, but there goes my leg!" He cried out, retrieving his straw.

"Does that hurt?"

"No, I just keep picking it back up!" Raoul beamed, twirling around with his arms extended in the air. "My, it's good to be free..."

Tumbling over the fence, Christine rushed to his side.

"Did I scare you?" He questioned, almost too excitedly.

"Um... no..." Came the slow reply.

"Ugh, I didn't think so." Raoul sighed sadly, a crow landing on his shoulder. "Boo! Scat!"

Pecking him on the nose, the crow cawed vociferously. With a flap of its wings, it was gone in a mere second.

"Are you okay?" Christine inquired, staring at his nose.

"Yes, I guess I am..." Hesitating, he took a double-look at the girl. "What are you staring at?"

"Well, you see... Um, well, where the crow pecked you... It looks like a... Well, it looks like a... like a pimple." She stammered, attempting to suppress a giggle.

Sticking his tongue out at her, his eyebrows lifted. "So, where are you going?"

"I'm going to see the Phantom of Oz! Ayesha and I need to get back home!" She motioned towards the cat that was now tearing up the basket, which had caused her so much discomfort.

"Do you think he could give me a brain, too?"

"Sure! Why not?" Christine answered, thrilled to have company... even if he was quite brainless.

"If I had a brain, I could..." Raoul stated, drawing in a gust of air, beginning to sing, "I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers if I only had a brain! Consulting..."

Rising, the Parisian scooped up Ayesha, promenading down the left road.

"Wait? Where are you going? This is my song!"

"Yes, but I don't like this Oz music... I miss opera." She retorted dully.

"Opera? I can sing Opera!" He assured her, hitting this falsetto note and holding the words for much longer than before. "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIF IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII OOOOOOOOOOOOONLYYYYYYYYYYYY HAAAAAAAAD A BRAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!"

Covering her ears, she began to move faster down the road. Suddenly, she linked her arm with Raoul's, beginning to sing something else.

"We're off to see the Phantom! The wonderful Phantom of Oz!" They sang in chorus as they frolicked down the path together.

After a half an hour or so, Christine's stomach began to growl violently, as well as Ayesha's. In fact, that was the only sound that could be heard for a good additional twenty minutes.

"I'm so hungry." She whimpered.

"I'm never hungry!" Raoul notified her, smirking.

"Why?"

"Because I don't have a brain!"

"... That makes no sense whatsoever." She responded dismally, continuing to walk.

"I hear that a lot."

"Oh! Look! Apples!" Christine bounced elatedly, pointing to an apple tree. Dashing up to the tree, she hastily seized an apple. "Oh, it looks so juicy, delicious, mouth-watering, delectable, scrumptious..."

As soon as the scarlet apple barely touched her lips, the tree snatched it back, slapping her hand with its bark.

"Ouch!" She squealed, rubbing her hand protectively.

The tree glared at her, clearing its throat. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Well, we have been walking for a long time, and I was very hungry, and..." Pausing, she blinked rapidly, "...And I'm talking to a tree." Kneeling down, she grinned, staring up at the tree. "Grandmother Willow!"

Embarrassed and annoyed, Ayesha trotted over next to Raoul.

Again, a voice from the distance could be heard. "WRONG MOVIE!"

Sighing exasperatedly, Christine rose, crossing her arms. "Humph, fine."

The tree rolled his eyes, "You were hungry. HAH! Did you hear that?" He addressed the other tree beside him, irritated, "She was hungry. Well, how would you like it if someone just walked up to you and started picking things off you, girl? Huh?"

There was a moment of silence, in which everyone was staring at the other tree. It did not budge or utter one word.

"Um, I know I don't have a brain, but..." Raoul quietly inquired, "But is that other tree supposed to talk?"

"I don't believe it's... alive." Christine shyly pointed out, chewing on her lip.

"Oh, no!" The first tree muttered, "He died! Why, Bob? How could you leave your buddy, Nadir?"

"No... I don't believe it – I mean, Bob, wasn't alive to begin with. I think he's just a normal tree..." She carried on with her conclusion.

"Oh..." Nadir said, the realization hitting him instantly, "I always thought Bob was a little quiet..."

"Suddenly, I'm not hungry anymore." Christine stated softly, clutching Ayesha and dragging Raoul away from the tree.

"Why did I have to be a tree? Why not an animal? Why couldn't I just be able to move around and talk to real, living things...?" The tree's sorrowful voice trailed off as they made their way farther down the road.

After about ten minutes, their steps came to an abrupt halt as they approached a tin man, holding numerous twenty-dollar bills!

"Look! A man made out of tin!" She said, moving closer towards the odd sight.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Raoul mumbled.

The tin man began to mutter something – something they couldn't quite make out. "Oil can..." He slurred.

"Open pan?" Christine questioned, her face twisting into bafflement.

"Oil can..."

"Okay tan?" The scarecrow asked, glancing down at his arms. "Well, I have been sitting out there in the hot sun for a dreadfully long time..."

"Oil can."

"I'm sorry we can't hear you." Christine apologized meekly.

"OIL CAN."

"Oh! He said 'oil can', Raoul!" She exclaimed, delight running through her veins.

"Oil can?" Raoul replied doubtfully, "That's stupid. Why would he say oil can?" Hesitating, he rubbed his chin, imitating someone who was considering something tremendously important. "I got it! He said 'oil can'!" He reported to her triumphantly.

Christine sighed, as he clutched an oil can that was lying on the ground, nearing the tin man. "Where do you want it first?" She inquired kindly.

"My hand!" Came the reply.

Oiling his hand, the grip on the money became tighter. Placing the can up to his mouth, Raoul oiled that, as well as his arms and legs.

"I can finally talk again!" The tin man cried out ecstatically.

"Who are you?" Raoul wanted to know.

"And what happened to you?" She wondered.

"I'm Firmin Richard. You may simply call me Richard. Well, I was sitting here, counting my money, when it started to rain! Then, right in the middle of my counting process, I rusted; and I've been that way ever since!"

"You're perfect now." Christine promised him.

"Perfect?" He despondently echoed, "Knock on my chest."

They did so.

"Oh, it is hollow!" The scarecrow and the girl said in unison.

"Yes... The tins man forgot to give me a heart."

"No heart?" The other two friends said in harmony once more.

"Okay, we have to stop doing that." Christine whispered to Raoul.

"No heart." Richard replied, seeming depressed; but he soon smiled again. "But I don't care! I have my money!"

At that exact moment, Nadir had successfully pulled up his roots and came stomping by. Bringing his stomping to an end, he caught a glimpse of the great deal of money Richard was waving around. He grabbed it hurriedly, claiming, "I'll need this for a taxi!" Running off, the two friends and their new acquaintance merely stood there silently.

"Would you like to come with us to Onyx City to meet the Phantom of Oz? He's going to give me a brain!" Raoul educated him of their journey. "At least, I think he is... What are you staring at?" He asked Richard, who was staring at his nose.

"You have a zit on your nose."

"It's not a zit! A crow pecked me there!" He protested, frustration building up in his voice.

"And he's going to give me a way home!" Christine joined in, deciding to break this little fight up. "Maybe he'll give you a heart!"

"Really?" Richard questioned hopefully, forgetting about Raoul's nose.

"We don't know, but it's worth a try." The scarecrow said.

He sighed. The tin man opened his mouth, drawing in a deep breath, preparing himself for a song. "When a man's an empty kettle, he should be on his mettle, and yet I'm torn apart. Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a human, if I only had a heart..."

Picking up Ayesha once again, Christine began to continue with her journey.

"Hey, wait! That's not the entire song!" Richard declared, upset that she didn't want to hear his troubles.

"It's all right." Raoul patted him comfortingly on the shoulder. "She doesn't like music."

"That's not true!" Christine stomped her foot, as stubborn as a young child. "I just don't feel like listening to this Oz music!"

"Oh, that's right." The scarecrow rolled his eyes. "She likes opera. She's too good for Oz music."

"Ugh!" Throwing up her hands, she linked her arms with Richard and Raoul, beginning to sing. "We're off to see the Phantom! The wonderful Phantom of Oz!"

Stopping, Richard stared at the ground, deep in the thought process. "What if he doesn't get me a heart?"

"What?"

"What if he doesn't get me a heart?" He repeated, looking up at Christine and Raoul.

"Oh, but he will! He must! We've come such a long way already." She guaranteed him with an uncertain smile, having not thought of this before.

"Hah! You call zis a long journey?" A voiced laughed wickedly.

"Who's that?" Richard looked up to see the Wicked Witch of the West attempting to stay on her broom.

"Vhy, you have just begun zis journey!" Carlotta informed them, pushing her falling hat back up on her head. "And you already forgotten about me, eh? Vell, I haven't forgotten about you!"

Continuing her evil laugh, her broom broke in half, causing all three (the two pieces of broom and the large witch) to fall to the ground. "Dang it! Zat's the third time this veek!"

Throwing blank glances at each other, Raoul, Richard, and Christine took a step backwards.

"Helping ze little lady along, are ve, gentleman?" Carlotta questioned, a vicious glint in her eye. 'Vell, stay away from her!" Pointing her thick finger at Raoul, she smirked. "Or I'll stuff my mattress vith you!"

The scarecrow's eyes became as wide as dinner plates, leaning to whisper to his two friends. "That's only bad if she sleeps on that mattress..."

"And I'll put my clothes in you!" She threatened Richard, who could only gasp and gulp.

"B-B-But..." He spluttered.

"Hey, Scarecrow, vant to play ball?" She asked.

"Sure!" Raoul answered, jogging towards her, only to be held back by the tin man and the girl.

"Humph... zis is supposed to be a fireball..." The Wicked Witch explained, studying a tiny ash. "Ah, forget eet!" She threw the ash back into the forest, starting a huge forest fire. "And as for you, my little Christine, I vish you luck on your journey to ze Phantom of Oz and a happy journey back to Paris!" She spoke sarcastically.

"Really?" Christine's lips began to turn upwards.

"No!" The Witch slapped herself on the forehead. "I wuz being sarcastic, stupid little girl..."

"Oh..."

As the angry woman threatened the three frightened travelers, the fire behind her grew larger and various fire trucks can be seen, as well as hoses attempting to put it out. A tall bear was also seen behind her.

"Oh, and, Scarecrow?" The Witch cleared her throat.

"Yes?" Raoul answered, trembling.

"You should get something for that pimple."

"IT'S NOT A PIMPLE!" He shouted, clenching his fists.

She shrugged. Holding one half of her broom, Carlotta boarded the tiny half that maintained the actual sweeping part. Clearing her throat, she laughed cruelly. It actually seemed as if she had been practicing that laugh. Flying away, the broom kept wobbling, warning Carlotta that if they didn't reach their destination soon, there would be a fall.

Suddenly, the tall bear advanced towards the three, blinking friends. "Only you can prevent forest fires." He told them sternly, shaking his furry finger. "Ugh, how many times do I have to say this?" He grumbled, walking away.

After a few minutes of silence, Christine finally spoke up. "You two shouldn't come with me. You saw the Wicked Witch! It's just too... dangerous."

"All right!" The other two agreed, beginning to walk away.

"Wait!" She called, causing them to turn around. "You're supposed to say you won't leave me! You're supposed to say you'll protect me!"

Linking arms with them again, she made sure the grumbling men couldn't get away.

"We're off to see the Phantom! The Wonderful Phantom of Oz!" They sang – well, it was Christine's cheery voice that could mostly be heard. Accompanying it was the two lower, gloomy voices. "Ah, come on, cheer up! She doesn't want you! She wants... me."

"That's true!" Richard realized. "She'll go after you first!"

"That's right!" Raoul agreed gleefully.

Gulping, she nodded.

"We're off to see the Phantom! The Wonderful Phantom of Oz! We hear he is a spook of a ghost, if ever a ghost there was! If ever, oh ever a ghost there was! The Phantom of Oz is one because... Because, because, because, because, because, because of the wonderful things he does! We're off to see the Phantom! The Wonderful Phantom of Oz!"

A/N: (smiles innocently) Please R&R, and I'll continue! :-)