Disclaimer, *filler fluff here*

When afternoon rolled around, as promised, they found Tugg docked on the riverbank. Dorothy's aunt, uncle, and cousins were the first off. Followed by Aislynn, Betsy, Trot, and ellie. The teaks quickly came after with lion, tin man and scarecrow following close behind, Zeb following after them. Lastly the China princess and Marshall mallow.

"Alyssa is showing the other girls how to pilot The Gale just in case the two of them ever somehow become completely incapacitated while its being used." Glinda said, "they said they were sorry they couldn't be here though." She added.

"it's alright, ellie why aren't you there?" Dorothy asked curiously.

"Because as of now I'm on leave at the moment, actually dorothy, there is something that needs to be addressed, something important has come up." Ellie said smiling,

Immediately Madeline appeared carrying a large box just as rose, Elphaba, Nessarose, the jester, Lily, Thomas and Violet all came down the hill.

"that's a large box, who's it from?" Lily asked curiously.

"its not a matter of Who, it's a matter of where this time." Madeline said smiling, setting it down in front of dorothy.

Everyone looked down at the box, on the top of it was a shield crest with a letter S in the middle.

"Shiz university?" Glinda asked having not actually seen the box.

"oh, that is good." The jester said chuckling.

"well open it, its addressed to princess dorothy gale." Madeline said smiling.

"you said something had come up, you told ellie about it, how come you didn't tell me?" Glinda asked curiously.

"because I'm just as surprised as you are." Madeline said watching as dorothy knelt down and opened the box.

"what's Shiz university?" Zeb asked curiously.

"a rather prestigious school, teaches all manner of subjects, its hard to get into though, why would morrible pursue contacting Dorothy though?" Glinda asked curiously.

As dorothy opened the box, she found several letters inside it, as well as a few books with a card on top which read 'more will be provided, this is just a base for what you will eventually need' in handwriting that didn't match what was written on the envelope. There was one for herself and Madeline which she put to the side. One for alex and jack, Betsy, trot, Aislynn, ellie, the rest of the girls, Lily, violet, Thomas, Rose, Annabella, and much to her shock, Zeb. As she handed it to him his own eyes went wide. There was also one for Jon Foreman, as well as donna, Kelly, and Emma as well as Eliza, which she would have to deliver later.

"I don't think so." He said shaking his head, "this life may be fine and dandy for you guys, but I think I'll stick to a simple farm life, at least if this letter says what I think it will." He said

Dorothy nodded, before picking her own letter up, Madeline crouched down to look over her shoulder at it. opening it she read it.

"To her majesty, Princess dorothy Madeline Louise Gale, as part of an agreement that was made, you and your associates have been accepted into Shiz university. While we have been made aware that this school year you and your friends may not be able to attend we have extended this as a courtesy for the next year. The following accommodations are presently being worked on to be provided. One, the old private dorm sector is being restored for you and your associates to use with a room for you and your prince to share, 2. As part of the agreement I must ask that you attend sorcery classes for at least the first year, 3. Uniforms, books, and supplies will be provided as per request, and finally, 4. Free reign of the universities resources will be at you and your friends disposal. As mentioned previous this was done in order to come to some kind of agreement, we hope to hear from you and your friends very soon, sincerely. Madam M. Morrible, Shiz university." Dorothy read, "and that's just the basic run down, there appears to be another page attached which I'm sure is more detailed." She added.

"an agreement?" Rose asked smiled, suddenly however a carrier dove swooped down, dropping a packet of three letters into Dorothy's lap with a note attached.

"at the time of you receiving the package, we were only just made aware of circumstances and aware of some changes in the plan, nothing concerning you, but still the only person we find good enough to send these." Dorothy read before turning the paper over as there appeared to be more on the back, "once your little cousins become old enough for schooling as well, they may attend, forgot to include in the letter, M. Morrible." She continued, looking over the letters.

They were for Nessa, the Jester, and Elphaba, handing it to them.

"oh, for Lurline's sake, Cassandra actually did it." Glinda said giggling.

"she's coming out of retirement?" Ellie asked before opening her letter.

Aislynn had already opened and read through hers, she smiled gleefully.

"Please dorothy, next year? Please?" Aislynn asked practically begging.

"we'll see ace." Dorothy said trying to sound unsure.

However, in her mind, this was perfect. While she didn't approve of Cassandra going out of her own way for the sake of setting dorothy and her friends up for this. She wasn't too shocked that these were the terms Cassandra asked in order to come out of retirement. She was however growing weary of the idea of being caught in the middle of everything. However, it was perfect because it meant that she'd only be away from alex most of the time for only a year.

"so, the private dorms are being restored, I thought they would have demolished it by now, as well as the wildwood." Elphaba said reading her own letter.

"Elphaba, they are never going to demolish the wildwoods, there are too many creatures inhabiting it that would just cause problems if they were allowed to run free." The jester said.

"look, I may be a little lost since I haven't been my self in many years, but I'm not stupid, I figured they'd have at least tried." Elphaba said glaring at her brother.

"you know, people have offered their congratulations to me, for 'finding' you again Elphie." Glinda said smiling.

"she wants us to return, help her in teaching, I'm surprised she didn't ask you or Locasta." Nessarose said folding her letter.

"its probably for the best, Locasta and I, we have two separate views" Glinda said shaking her head.

"well at least with the sorcery classes and seminar back, you two will probably be asked to talk." Elphaba said.

"are you three actually going to do it?" Glinda asked curiously.

"of course, we are, I think we owe Cassandra quite a debt." Nessa said smiling.

"Locasta and I have repaid ours, helping her when your brother was trying to take control." Glinda said smiling softly.

"okay, before we get too far off track, how about we eat?" Alex asked reading through his own letter before folding it and placing it in his pocket.

Everyone nodded in agreement, they set out the food from a rather large picnic basket,. All the food was Brianna's handiwork and dorothy recognized it. copious amounts of sandwiches, fruit tarts, various other sweets. And a small cake for dorothy. They ate in silence for a while, however dorothy felt her happiness at the situation welling up into a fit of giggles. Madeline knew this and smiled at her teasingly.

"Something the matter dorothy?" her aunt asked curiously.

Dorothy shook her head, not wanting to say anything. However, it didn't take long for Aislynn to work it, and soon she was grinning at her as well. When alex had finished the sandwich, he had been eating he looked at her, smiled and then turned to the china princess and Marshall mallow in an attempt to change the subject.

"so, how are things in candy county and china country?" he asked curiously.

"they're doing well, china country got struck with a minor earthquake, candy county is doing well though, which is good considering how hot it is over there, yourself?" Marshal mallow asked curiously.

"I've been good today so far, I mean, I started the day as a giant wolf, and I've definitely had less eventful mornings." Alex said before glancing away.

"what was it like?" Zeb asked curiously.

"unusual, to say the least, its honestly hard to explain but I wouldn't wish it on anyone." Alex said sighing.

"I can only imagine." Zeb said before picking up another sandwich.

"dorothy, you seem to be having some trouble holding back." Betsy said giggling.

At this moment dorothy couldn't contain herself any longer, she burst into a fit of giggles. Once she had regained at least some of her composure she smiled.

"okay ace, we'll do it, but we should probably at least take a look at the campus first." Dorothy said still a little giggly.

Aislynn smiled, before looking over at em and henry.

"what are your guy's opinions?" she asked curiously.

"well…" Em said thinking about it for a moment, "It does address a few things henry and I have been discussing behind closed doors." She said.

"and it will allow you all a further education." Henry added.

"when's a good time to tour the campus?" alex asked turning to Glinda.

Glinda thought about this for a moment before looking over at Elphaba and nessa.

"first weekend of term, no one's really out and about or lost." Glinda said.

"but the princess showing up at the gate is really going to turn some heads." Ellie added.

"honestly, if that didn't cause people to ask questions I'd be shocked, I mean, dorothy is what, second most popular?" alex asked curiously

"THE most popular person, actually" Ozma said with a giggle.

"okay, anyways, before things get too off the tracks again, so, first weekend of the school year, we'll go and take a look at the campus then shall we?" dorothy asked, "we all agreed on that idea?" she added.

Everyone who had received a letter that was there shared a glance. After a moment they all nodded in agreement with her.

"so, they want you all to attend the sorcery class for at least one year." Scarecrow said, "but, and correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't all have objects of power so how's that going to work?" he asked curiously.

"given the lack of books on the subject in the palace library, your confusion is well founded." Glinda said, "but training wands can, and, will be provided, but objects of power aren't as simple as all that." She added.

"I assume we'll be getting a lecture on this before we all make a final decision?" Betsy asked curiously.

"well, depends on your definition of a lecture, objects of power can essentially be anything, usually something easy to keep close to you, such as a wand like ellie, nessa, Locasta and I use." Glinda started

"garments, such as jewelry, or clothing, like the slippers." Elphaba added.

"even house hold objects like Elphaba's umbrella, or the broomstick turned scepter." The jester continued.

"but the clown here made his own didn't he?" lion asked curiously.

"yes, but that's another thing entirely." Glinda said sighing, "sometimes its just better, depending on your situation, to try and make your own, it takes more time to get used to, but its usually worth it in the end." Glinda said.

Dorothy smiled before getting up and walking over to her trio of friends.

"I imagine you three were watching me on the rainbow mover's screen?" Dorothy asked curiously.

"not all the time, but we can happily say yes." Tin Man said.

"we were worried for a bit, when you were running from that kalidah that we might have to come save you ourselves." Lion said stretching.

"lucky alex showed up though, we were honestly ready to press the button on it." Scarecrow said.

Dorothy smiled and hugged the three of them.

"well, running into a kalidah wasn't exactly on top of my list of things to do, it does come as a comfort that you three were ready to come to my aid." Dorothy said smiling.

"was it scary?" the triplets asked in unison.

"oh, absolutely terrifying, if it weren't for the fact that the four of us had been chased by a couple during my first trip to oz, I don't think I'd have been prepared to deal with it." dorothy said walking over to them and sitting down," And I hope you three never have to face one"

"you run-ed away though." Alicia said giggling.

"only thing you really can do with a kalidah, unless you plan on getting yourself torn too pieces, sure it wont exactly kill you, but I hear it does hurt tremendously." Lion said getting up and stretching.

"Tin man, you used to be made of flesh didn't you?" Ozma asked curiously.

"yep, and I can confirm that it does hurt to lose limbs, and I can say I don't miss the pain that much." Tin man said.

"Um, not to take too much attention away from dorothy, but can I ask a question pertaining to the new house over there?" alex asked curiously, "if no one minds?" he added.

"by all means, the floor is yours." Dorothy replied turning to him.

"why is some of our family's stuff in that house? The harmonium? the piano?" alex asked curiously.

Mrs. Teak let out something of a snort, before turning to her husband. He sighed and looked over to his son.

"your mother, has been trying to get me to go to my fathers house and do something constructive there for ages now, so when Alyssa and Terrance approached everyone about making this surprise for you, I figured, hey I'm never gonna use any of this stuff, may as well put it to some good use." Mr. teak said with a long sigh.

"and your mother's sheet music?" alex asked.

"you only know how to play one song and its from that book." Mr. teak said shrugging.

"wait, that's the way to the zoo is in that?" alex asked curiously.

"page 18." Mr. teak said nodding.

"oh, I remember that song, doesn't make much sense, but it is funny." Henry said chuckling.

"you'll have to play it for me at some point, alex." Dorothy said smiling.

"perhaps later, it's a simple song, for the most part, jaunty little tune." Alex replied getting up and walking over to her.

"so, I guess, given recent events, I guess I'm required at this point to address the fact that you two will be permanently sharing a room?" Glinda asked curiously turning to dorothy and alex.

"considering how close these two seem to be together, I'm surprised they aren't already." Nessa said looking over to them with a hint of surprise on her face.

"all things considered, they do already." Em said sighing, "alex just frequently sleeps in a chair next to her bed." She continued.

"oh, seriously glin, what's wrong with just giving them a double bed, or two beds in the same room?" Elphaba asked curiously.

"she's not too comfortable with the idea, alex does have a room us his own, but he rarely leaves Dorothy's side." Annabella said yawning.

"Annabella, isn't that butting into business that doesn't pertain to you?" Aislynn asked curiously.

"it's my brother, I have a right to butt in at this point in the conversation." Annabella said smirking.

"I guess that's, sort of fair." Trot said.

"so, dorothy, how do you like the place?" Scarecrow asked curiously.

"the house? I can't say I approve of all of you going behind my back to do it, but I can say I'm happily surprised by it, but not too shocked it was done." She said sighing.

"that's good enough for us." Ozma said.

"hear, hear." Rose said giggling.

They all shared a chuckle at this and went back to eating. Ozma brought over the small cake to dorothy and handed her a fork. Taking a fork full, she found it was vanilla, with a sort of apple crumble in the middle that she found quite pleasant. Brianna had out done herself again, and as the afternoon ticked by, lily spoke up.

"um, your majesty, if I may?" lily asked teasingly.

"lily?" dorothy replied.

"there is something, violet, Thomas and I have been working on for you, in secret." Lily said smiling, taking a small brown paper package from her dress pocket and walking over to her.

"you know you didn't have to." Dorothy said taking it from her.

"we know." Violet said, "it was my idea though." She added smiling.

"she's not lying either, though I'm not sure Mrs. Garrison will approve." Thomas said suddenly appearing behind them

Dorothy shook her head and opened the package, inside was a solid bracelet, of a twisting vine pattern, set inside was a blue, teardrop shaped gem. Dorothy immediately recognized this as a moons tear

"lily, where in Lurline's name did you get that?" rose asked now surprised.

"I was walking by the moon's lake after alex got attacked, and I found it, these things are rare enough as it is, but to find one during a blue moon." Lily said.

"dorothy, whatever you do, don't put that on yet, I told Madeline she couldn't charge your necklace with blue moon light, but that was found during the blue moon, meaning its stronger, you might find yourself able to read all of our thoughts." Glinda said.

"wait, wait, wait. That's a thing?" alex asked sounding a bit shocked.

This, however, did make dorothy a tad curious. However, albeit unconsciously she found herself putting it on only to feel a surge of energy rush through her and getting pushed back by an invisible force. The scepter pinging rapidly as if it were laughing or giggling. It didn't take long to find the source of the energy though. Looking over at the triplets, all three of them had their hands glowing now. Much to everyone's shock. Quickly pulling the bracelet off, she tossed it to Madeline who smiled.

"well, that was, unexpected." Madeline said, "well. Not really." She conceded.

"what do you mean, not really?" Em said in complete shocked as she watches her children's hands stop glowing.

The three of them immediately began giggling. Though they knew everyone was either shocked or upset by this, they couldn't help but be amused, they were only children after all.

"we've all been aware of their affinity for magic for quite a while, how they never really speak, their lack of interest in the world around them unless they're together and actually curious. Come on Emily, don't tell me you didn't expect this." Madeline said smiling.

"B-but, they're." was as far as either em or henry got before Glinda cut them off.

"too young? Yes, we know, but their powers will develop as they got older, surely you've wondered about their eyes." Glinda said smiling before walking over to amber and picking her up, her eyes immediately flashing emerald for a moment.

"they-I mean, but, its not." Em tried to get a full sentence together.

Dorothy was just as shocked, maybe more so, as she had just been blasted back 5 feet by her own cousins. At the same time however, she wasn't and this, in a way, confused her greatly. They didn't really know what they were doing, she knew this, and as the three toddled over to her to make she was alright. She chuckled and sighed.

"you three, what am I going to do with you?" dorothy asked pulling the three of them into a group hug.

"love them unconditionally?" Annabella suggested causing a laugh.

"I-I-I mean, I think, I need a lie down, dorothy, do you think?" Em asked curiously, as she was now starting to get a headache.

"I could watch them for a while? Yes, you and uncle henry just take the rest of the day to relax, I can keep a close eye on them." Dorothy said smiling.

"is that really how you want to spend the rest of your birthday?" zeb asked now rather confused.

"babysitting? Why not?" dorothy asked giggling.

"then, I think I'll return to the city, dad and uncle bill are really going to want to know about all this." Zeb said.

"it is getting a bit late, isn't it?" Mr. teak asked getting up and brushing himself off.

"well we've been out here for a few hours now." Glinda said, "Nessa, Elphie? why don't you two come back to the city with me, make sure everything is perfect, you've always had an eye for that sort of thing." She added smiling.

"I'm up for it, Elphaba?" nessa asked.

Elphaba looked at her sister, gripping her umbrella tightly before shaking her head.

"I think, I'll stick around a bit, chat with these five." Elphaba said smiling.

Annabella yawned again, she was starting to doze a bit, as was ellie. Ozma was in a fit of giggles now on the ground so there wasn't much she was going to say. Betsy and trot were stood there, wide eyed, mouths still hanging open until Aislynn snapped her fingers in front of them a few times. Eventually just about everyone else agreed it would be best if they returned to the city for one reason or another. But it was mostly to avoid an awkward conversation. Ozma had insisted on staying just a bit longer. So eventually those who felt comfortable with magic were transported back to the city, the others went on Tugg. Soon, sitting by the bank it was just dorothy, alex, Elphaba, the jester, Rose, lily, violet, Thomas, Ozma and the triplets. Just standing there, silent for a moment. When Madeline returned.

"so, I assume explanations are in order?" Madeline asked causing them all to jump.