Hi! Here's chapter 2! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Wizard of Oz, or any of the characters except for my OC characters such as the blonde in the road, Mabel, the one mean lady in Chapter One, the teacher, Kristy, and Jillian (Who was inspired by a friends role in the musical as a beautician).
Chapter 2
"What's your name kid?"
"Uh…" I stumbled, shock overwhelming me, "Kristen, but I go by Kristy." Glinda nodded.
"Come with me, Kristy. We're going to go to the Emerald City and we'll learn there," Glinda said, and with a wave of her hand took some fountain water and created a bubble, "step on in." I awkwardly stepped inside the wet halo and sat down on my butt. Glinda giggled. "Get up! This bubble isn't big enough for someone in a poofy dress and a little kid!"
"Hey! I'm fourteen!"
That resulted in a bit of a gigglefest with Glinda. And so I stood up and allowed Glinda to join me in the bubble. She waved as we floated. I was too busy trying to spot my mom in the crowd.
"Wait, Glinda. I need to say goodbye," I quickly said.
"Oh my, I almost forgot, Kristy dear!"
The bubble lowered down, and allowed me to jump out and run through the crowd. So many people were saying congratulations, I probably said thank you a hundred times. I was worn out by the time I had made it to my mom. She had tears flowing down her face.
"I thought you weren't saying goodbye," she cried, hugging me. I smiled.
"I was real caught up, sure, but I wouldn't forget you," I said softly, happily.
"Kristen, here," my mom forced something into my hand, "don't look at it until you're with Glinda." I nodded. "And don't forget I love you. I always have loved you."
"This isn't goodbye for good Mom," I said, quickly, "right?" My mom had a bittersweet smile, and hugged me again. I gripped her hands.
"Goodbye Kristy," she whispered, and let up the hug. I smiled, letting go of her hands. I walked as fast as possible through the now empty square. I hopped back into the bubble. Glinda smiled, clearly happy that I was back.
"Alright Glinda let's go," I confidently leaned against the back of the bubble, "so how long have you been a witch?"
"Quite a while now. It's been… how long, since Dorothy? That plus five… so maybe ten? Don't tell anyone, but I'm only thirty years old. And when I became Glinda the Good no one knew my age or who I was. That's why it's always been a mystery. But it's better that way," Glinda said, with an uneasy smile. I nodded.
"So all those stories?"
"Legends. Few of them are true, I admit, but a majority… like the one with the Forbidden Fountain, or whatever, is a lie. But everything from Dorothy on is real, I promise," Glinda saiid.
"Your secret's safe with me. And… my mom gave me something. She said I could only look at it with you," I said, pulling out the thing I had stuffed in my pocket. It was a chain, with a strange amulet with words inside reading, Long Beach, Cali. I'd never heard of any "Cali" before.
"What does this mean…" I mumbled, my eyes carefully observing the pendant.
"Dorothy told me that California is a 'state' in the other place. I wonder how your mother came across it. Perhaps the Wizard," Glinda suggested. I shrugged, and put the necklace on. I swear, I'll find the meaning of ya.
An hour or so passed, when finally green spires came into sight. I gasped, their sparkles trapping me in a deep admiration. They seemed to glitter like little stars, their light bouncing off onto the grass and given it a green color. The yellow brick road led through a field of poppies, which I had heard was deadly in some cases.
"I remember when I first saw it," nostalgia filled Glinda's voice, "it was only twelve years or so, but it's like yesterday."
"It must've been amazing back with the Wizard," I said, trying to be optimistic. Glinda sighed.
"Yes, it sure was," she said.
But suddenly in the middle of the road, a girl hopped up from a pitch black hole in the poppy field. It took me a moment to recognize her as a Quadling, because of her ruby red shirt. She was a blonde, with curly hair. Her skin was a bit tanned, like she had been in the sun for a while. She had on a devious smile, like she was up to something. She lit a quick fire in her palm, and then ran back into her hole.
Only minutes later we were at the gate, being waved through by a munchkin boy, probably not much older than me. Glinda smiled and said, "thank you," loud and clear, as if she wanted to be heard. We didn't mention that strange girl who randomly appeared.
Glinda popped the bubble once we were inside, and changed into a bit more modest of an outfit. It was a pink dress, with a shortish skirt going down to her knees. It was a bit cuter than her poofy, normal dress. Her hair was almost straight, but with a bit of a wave at the ends. She looked at my bland, beige school uniform in disgust. She waved her hand, and it changed into a pale blue shirt, with a navy checkered skirt. It was anything but drab.
"Thanks!" I exclaimed, with a toss of my hair. Glinda snorted.
"Fancy now, huh?" she giggled, and rolled her eyes, "a girl ought to dress up every once and a while." I smiled largely at the comment. "Anyhoo, come on. Let's go to the palace." I followed Glinda as we walked through the busy streets. I saw Winkies, Munchkins, Gillikins, and Quadlings, all working in different shops. I saw one called "Gillikin Flavors," another "Munchkin Sweets." I really wanted to go into the sweet shop, but knew that we had more important things to do.
Glinda led me to the palace doors, and a guard pushed them open, entirely dressed in green.
"There ya go mi' lady," he said. He seemed to be blushing. I wondered why for a second but remembered that Glinda wasn't your ordinary person. Glinda nodded.
"Thank you mister…" she paused, as if she wanted to know his name.
"Hayden," he replied, with a tip of his hat politely. I walked at Glinda's side, all the way to the throne, where a young woman with dark brown hair sat. She had a almost inhuman feel to her, but I knew the cause. This was the fairy child- the true ruler of Oz, Princess Ozma. I hadn't expected her to actually be here, in the throne room, casually sitting on the throne, reading a book.
My eyes were wide as I examined the room. The walls, the floor, everything was made of slick emerald. The floor was a bit rougher, probably so no one would slip. Everything was so shiny, so Ozma's white dress seemed out of place. She wasn't a witch, and she definitely was no peasant. But her dress, although not grand, was elegant and flowy, seeming very clean and airy. Ozma rose, and moved towards us.
"Glinda," she said softly, with the voice of an angel, "and you must be…?"
"Kristen, but I go by Kristy, your highness," I said delicately. Ozma smiled, and I curtsied.
"No need to call me your highness here. Ozma will do," she said softly, "and why are you here?"
"I've taken her on as an apprentice, Ozma," Glinda explained, with a grin, "she's got quite some talent." Ozma nodded.
"Alright. Your guest room is just as it was last time, Glinda. And miss Kristy, we'll have to get you one. Jillian," Ozma called, loudly, but still sweetly, "would you prepare a room for miss Kristy, dear?"
"Ozma, ma'am, I'm a beautician, not a maid," Jillian retorted. I looked at Jillian. She was a fairly pretty girl, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her hair was in a neat bun, and she had on a maid dress, of green, which bore the Oz crest.
"Jillian, would you though? You are one of the best workers, I will admit," Ozma said, clearly trying to use flattery to her advantage.
"Alright, ma'am. I'll get on it," Jillian softly said, a large smile on her face. Jillian was a Gillikin, but if it wasn't for her north pointing symbol on her uniform I wouldn't have known. She rushed away, and I turned my attention back to Ozma.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"A bit thirsty," I answered, with a laugh, "I haven't had anything since lunch, and as you can imagine, because it's evening, that was a while ago."
"Ozma, may I suggest a dinner?" Glinda spoke up, happily, "we have some things to discuss. Some… strange things." Ozma nodded, before waving her hand and conjuring up a table covered in lavish foods, and three chairs. I gasped. Everything looked so delicious! I sat down at one of the chairs, and was amazed at how comfortable it was. I put a bit of salad on my plate, and began eating it, picking up each piece with my fork.
I noticed a wine glass was filled with a weird blue concoction, so once done with what I had in my mouth I sipped a bit of it. It had a fruity taste, almost like mango, but with a sweet flavor of bubble gum. It was odd, and somehow satisfying. I kept drinking it and soon felt a bit sick to my stomach.
"I think I should go to my room now," I groaned, interrupting Glinda and Ozma's conversation.
"Too much Bubble Juice is always bad. Your room should be ready by now," Ozma turned and immediately replied, "the palace will help you get there. Like the yellow brick road." I nodded, and smiled.
"Thanks Ozma, I'll get on my way now," I said. I got up and pushed in my chair, and walked carefully, trying to not trip (which was very unlikely). But I couldn't help but eavesdrop. Glinda was telling Ozma about the blonde we saw in the road. Did it really mean that much? It was ONE run in. And sure, she had magic. So?
But I quickly started picking up the pace, trying to not linger around. The halls were long and tall, wide and spacious to walk through. I took a right turn, then a left, and found a room with open doors. The same girl from earlier, Jillian, was getting the bed ready. I put a cheery smile on my face.
"So your Gillikin too?" I said, out of nowhere.
"Yeah. Where you from?" she said, surprisingly quickly.
"Uh, just a random town towards the northern border. Nowhere special," I answered, "how 'bout you?"
"I really don't know. My parents died when I was a baby so I was born and raised a maid. I've only ever known the Emerald City. But, the Wizard made sure we maids were happy, that's true. Need any help ma'am?" I was shocked at how she she called me "ma'am."
"What the hell? I mean- no. I can totally do anything on my own. I mean, it's not like I ever knew anything more than a small town," I said, like it was completely normal, "your Jillian, right?"
"Yep. You?"
"Kristen. But call me Kristy," I said. By the time our conversation was over, Jillian had finished up preparing the room.
"Thanks," I said, as she was ready to exit. She curtsied, before speaking.
"Night miss Kristy," she giggled, before skipping out. I walked over and lightly shut the door. I noticed a glass of water on a nightstand, so I picked it up and sipped it. It felt so nice. I entered the bathroom, and saw a toothbrush and some toothpaste. Once brushing, I opened the closet. It was huge! I walked inside, and noticed a silk dress, clearly for sleeping. So I took off the clothes Glinda gave me, and hung the shirt and skirt up. I slipped into the silk dress, and walked over to the bed. I laid down in it, and pulled the covers over me. The lights dimmed almost automatically, as if they had a set time.
I closed my eyes, and because the bed was so soft, literally sank into it. All before I drifted off into a deep slumber