Chapter 2:The Shadow of the West

Many miles away stood the great Winkie Peaks in western quadrant of Oz. Though they were very beautiful the peaks were so steep that it was not unlikely for a man to slip and fall to his death. This is why everyone stayed off the peaks. Beneath the peaks however lived the Winkie People. Of all the Ozians the winkies were said to be the most crafted tinsmiths in all of Oz. They were so gifted that they were able to take tin which is considered a weak metal and make it as strong and durable as steel.

Even though Winkie Country was considered beautiful by most there were some beings who thought that it was the most hideous place they had ever seen. One such person as this was the former queen, Galore. Galore was the queen of Oz during the reign of her husband King Syrus the Terrible. To Galore Winkie Country was the worst place she could possibly live considering she once lived in the emerald city. Eight years had passed since her exile and yet she remembered that day as if it was only yesterday. On that day the current king Pastoria took what mattered most to her and left her children fatherless stripping her of her husband and position as queen. However what she saw now in her crystal ball was even more unbearable. It was the happiness that her brother in law Pastoria and his queen Lurline now shared with the birth of their newest daughter Theodora.

For the last eight years Galore had been watching Pastoria and his family through her crystal ball. She had witnessed the birth of all of his daughters and each time the anger and the hate she felt within her heart grew all the more potent. However this was going to be the fourth and final time she was going to let it pass without pressing an attack. This time Galore had the encouragement she needed and the strength of will to strike back.

"Girls get it in here," Galore screamed at the top of her lungs so her daughters could hear her throughout the entire castle which they now called home. Galore's oldest daughter was Mombi. Mombi had now reached the golden age of eighteen. Mombi had always been a brilliant young witch but when her father Syrus died she swore she would use her brilliant mind to avenge his death. Originally Mombi was named Langwidere but changed her name to Mombi because she hated the girl she was. Doing this was as a way of showing that the girl she used to be had died along with her father. Her younger sister was Singra and was sixteen. Singra was known for her beauty and always looked up to her father and sister. However when he died she made vows as Mombi had. She promised herself she would use her beauty to enchant people to get what she wanted. When she received what she wanted she would betray the person and cast him or her aside.

Using the anger of her daughters to her advantage Galore had taught them both dark magic so one day they would grow up to help seek revenge on Pastoria and his family. Galore however made it so neither one of them would ever surpass her in power. At this time Galore was the most powerful witch that lived in Oz and all of her dark magic was contained within her crystal ball. If by some chance the crystal ball was destroyed Galore would die. However nobody but her knew that and so she raised her daughters with an iron fist.

"Yes Mother," Singra and Mombi said as they entered the throne room where Galore was viewing her crystal ball.

"Tell me what you see," Galore commanded.

"My god. It seems we have a new baby cousin," Singra said smirking.

"Yes it would seem so. We can use this to our advantage. Finally we have exactly what we need to strike at the heart of the kingdom and Pastoria's family" Galore said.

"What are we going to do, kill our baby cousin," Mombi asked eagerly but with contempt.

"Oh no no no no no. Of course not. That would be far too easy. If we killed Theodora her sisters would all unite to overthrow us. We must kill someone else in their family. We must kill his queen Lurline. This will divide the family and make sure that Pastoria's happy little face will be scarred with mental anguish for the rest of his miserable life. The fool will eventually realize he messed with the wrong witch. For these last eight years I have watched them and I see that Lurline has always favored Evanora since her birth. However once the bitch is dead poor little Evanora will be heartbroken and will fall right into my web of manipulation. All in due time she will turn into a wicked witch like ourselves and we will finally have our fourth and final conspirator to unite the four quadrants of Oz under our rule forever," Galore cackled.

"That's all good but Mother. I must say I always admired your skills of planning and executing. You seem to have everything planned out and we haven't even begun our conquest. What quadrants are each of us going to take and who is going to have the throne and the emerald city," Mombi asked.

"Mombi you're absolutely right. We do need to know that don't we. I will rule the west, Singra you will rule the south, Mombi you will have the north, and your darling little cousin Evanora will rule the east. As for the emerald city and the throne we will all share it," Galore said casually.

"Yeah alright! Unlimited power," Singra screamed with insanity.

"Correct however in order for our sweet and delicious dreams to come true we must raise an army and gather ground for ourselves. This way we can move towards the emerald city," Galore said.

"When and where do we start Mother," Mombi asked.

"We start tomorrow girls. There is a little winkie family living along the western perimeter of the castle. They have 3 children and those little brats think it is wise to come and explore my beautiful dark home. They have tried several times to get in here and I have ignored it but now I am furious. So here's what I want you two to do. Go to their hideous little winkie cabin and knock them out. Once they are subdued bring them to me. I have a little present for the five of them. Do not kill them or suffer my wrath," Galore commanded with high authority.

"Yes mother," Mombi and Singra said in unison.

"Soon dear brother you and your pathetic little family will be destroyed," Galore said into her crystal ball as if she was speaking to Pastoria in person.