"I don't like this," said Phoebe as they entered the great castle where the wizard lived. "According to what you've said this should be the place where the warlock is the most powerful."
"Can't be helped," said Piper. "If we're going to convince him to help us change things back then we have to go see him."
"And just how do we convince him?" Paige asked. "Seems to me he doesn't have much incentive to change things back. Here he's undefeatable."
"One problem at a time," said Piper.
"We have to think of something," said Leo. "The longer this goes on the harder it's going to be."
"Oh, thank goodness I found you, Dorothy," said a voice behind them. "I can't find the scarecrow or the lion anywhere. I was beginning to think I'd never find you. Who are your friends?"
They all turned around to see Darryl standing behind them. Except that Darryl had been changed by the magic that was even now changing all of reality. Darryl was once again the tin woodsman, complete with axe.
"I had forgotten about Darryl," gasped Phoebe.
"Darryl who?" Darryl asked.
"Never mind," said Piper. "We're friends of Dorothy. She's taking us to see the wizard."
"Great," said Darryl. "I'm getting a heart. We really need to find the others so we can go see him."
"Yeah, well,' said Phoebe, "you really can't go like that. We need to be looking our best, you know. Why don't you go over to the machine shop or whatever and get all polished up for our visit? We're headed for the salon to get all spruced up. Then we'll meet you back here and go see the wizard. I'm sure the lion and the scarecrow will be back by then."
"Good idea," said Darryl. "I'll be back in a bit then."
"He didn't recognize us," said Paige. "Only Phoebe. And he thinks she's Dorothy."
"That's because he's caught up in the magic," said Cole. "We're still protected because of the spell you three cast. Eventually that's going to happen to all of us. And not even Phoebe's precognitive power will protect her indefinitely."
"We'd better get moving," said Piper. "We're running out of time."
They hurried through the castle to the door that would allow them access to the wizard. Strangely there was no guard at the door. And the door opened easily allowing them admittance.
"This is weird," said Phoebe. "This isn't in the movie. There's supposed to be a guard here who won't admit us until he hears my sob story about not being able to get home."
"We're not in the movie any longer," said Cole. "And there's no telling what the warlock may have changed. Everyone else considers him the wizard. He can pretty much do anything he wants with impunity."
They moved cautiously through the corridor heading for the audience chamber. They knew the warlock would be there. Their only hope was that he would listen to reason and help set things right again.
"Well, well, look who came for a visit,' said the warlock standing up from a large throw where the dais used to be. "I actually expected you a lot sooner. And you brought your little friends with you. How quaint."
"Save it," said Piper. "We aren't here for a social visit."
"I see you were able to free your friends from the spell," said the warlock. "It's only temporary, you know. Soon the magic will become so powerful none of you will be able to resist it. Then you'll become just more of my loyal subjects."
"We aren't going to let that happen," said Piper. "We're putting an end to this now."
"Oh, I know why you're here," said the warlock. "You need my help to put things back the way they were. Only that's not going to happen. Once the magic is strong enough I can kill you and take your powers without fear of altering anything. Then I can end all this and return to the real world where not even the Source will be able to oppose me. And nothing you can say or do is going to change that."
The warlock just laughed at the group as they stared at him.