The wheelers, meanwhile, were on chase patrol as they pursued the flying Gump from ground below, through a dark forest. Their howls and wails of maniac laughter reached the ears of the nauseous Tiger.
"Hey, look down there!" Everyone looked in the direction of his pointing finger to the earth far below.
"Who are those guys?" asked the Gump.
"Those are the wheelers," explained Tiktok. "They work for Langwidere, that horrid princess."
"Uh, Mr. Gump, can't you fly any faster?" Jack asked, nervously.
"Not unless of course one of you wants to jump off," said the Gump.
Jack looked over at the mechanical man. "Tiktok…..you're the heaviest."
"Humph!" Tiktok glared at the pumpkinhead.
Woodenhorse nodded his head to the Tiger. "What about him? He eats a lot, which makes him the heaviest."
The Tiger flashed a threatening frown with his sharp fangs. "Don't get any ideas!" He glanced over at the pumpkin man. "Maybe if we throw him overboard, his head will splatter and turn him into a squash."
"If you throw me overboard, Dorothy will flip her lid!" Jack glared at the Tiger with a severe expression.
Down below, the wheelers rolled at almost incredible speed trying to catch up to the flying Gump. However, their pursuit came to an end when they reached the edge of the desert. The wheelers gaped as they screeched to a halt. Some of the wheelers couldn't stop in time and tumbled into the sandy field. The second they touched desert sand, their bodies turned to sand and immediately disintegrated.
"Deadly Desert!" cried the Head Wheeler, as he and the rest of his gang stood beyond the desert sands, watching their comrades die before their very eyes.
"Deadly Desert!" screamed the rest of the wheelers in fear.
Watching the Gump fly off into the night, the wheelers had no choice but to let them go.
This infuriated Langwidere as both she and Mombi watch this happen through Mombi's crystal ball.
"Argh, those cowards!" Langwidere yelled, angrily. "Now Dorothy Gale will reach the Nome King's mountain and…"
"Ah, ah, ah. Wait a minute, princess." Mombi held up a patient hand to silence the princess. "We still have my precious baboons. They can cross the desert easy, and they'll rip those raggle taggle fools to pieces."
Langwidere nodded when she heard this and, along with Mombi, smiled wickedly.
"We're flying over the Deadly Desert," said Tiktok, sighing with relief. "Those wheelers won't bother us anymore."
"Ha!" Woodenhorse laughed. "Those creeps on wheels think they're so tough, but they're just as cowardly as…"
"If you call my pal, Lion, a coward, then you're gonna be sorry!" The Tiger growled in a threatening voice.
Woodenhorse rolled his eyes. "Never mind."
But suddenly they heard eerie howls and the flopping of wings, and as the sound grew nearer to them, everyone looked up. The rays of light from the full moon were darkened by creatures with large wings.
"I smell flying baboons!" exclaimed the Tiger.
"Flying baboons?" The Gump glanced at the great beast with a look of doubt. "Don't be ridiculous. Baboons don't fly. They like to hang around in the jungle and eat bananas…"
The hideous face of a winged baboon shot out from the clouds and roared menacingly.
"Aaaah!" The Gump was so frightened that he jumped. His passengers bounced a little in their ride, thus waking Dorothy and Billina from their slumber.
"What, what? What's going on?" Billina looked around in alarm.
Dorothy gazed up in horror when she caught sight of the winged baboons. One of caught hold of her arm and attempted to pull her into the air. Dorothy screamed, but Jack grabbed her other arm and a game of tug of war began between Jack and the flying baboon as they struggled to pull at Dorothy. The Tiger came to the rescue as he slashed the flying baboon with his sharp claws, sending the creature flying back and releasing his hold on Dorothy.
"Jack, you keep Dorothy safe while the rest of us hold them off!" shouted the Tiger.
Jack saluted obediently. Then he wrapped his arms around Dorothy, dragging her lower to the soft cushions of the sofa, and shielded his wooden body over her so neither of the winged baboons could grab her again. Dorothy held Billina in her arms so the baboons wouldn't try to take her away again.
A flock of winged baboons flew down upon them with screams of rage. Their sharps teeth and claws threatening to do damage to the riders. But these brave riders gave the baboons no chance to harm them. The Tiger let out a great roar and lashed out to strike at his enemies. He fought those baboons as lethally as any tiger would. His powerful claws gave the winged baboons red scars, and his brutal strength gave the baboons what for. When he caught some of them trying to untie the ropes that held the sofas together, the Tiger attacked them so furiously that the winged baboons flew off. Some of the winged baboons went to attack Tiktok. Just like in his fight with the wheelers, Tiktok began spinning around uncontrollably, swinging his arms and fists in the air, striking out at the baboons with several blows. Others of the baboons rushed at Woodenhorse, but he kicked out so viciously with his wooden legs, either front or back, that he beat off as many assailants as did his comrades.
A few baboons grabbed hold of the Gump's face trying to yank his head right off the sofa. "Get out of my face!" The Gump growled angrily.
"Can't you fly any faster?" shouted Billina.
"That's just what I had in mind!" The Gump responded with renewed energy.
Waving his wings wildly and furiously, the Gump began to pick up speed. The strong breeze of his wings blew the winged baboons a good distance from him. Like the speed of a jet plane, the Gump soared swiftly and majestically through the sky. The riders clung to the backs and sides of the sofas for support as they felt the Gump's swift movement throw them back slightly. The flying baboons howled furiously and they followed the Gump in hot pursuit.
The chase came to a range of very high, tall, sandstone pillars and mountains spreading across the desert landscape. The Gump swayed in and out between the pillars. Some of the winged baboons hit smack face in the sandstone pillars, others bounced off them like rubber balls, most of them kept on with their pursuit. When they flew a little too close to pillar's side, the Gump tipped over a bit and Tiktok got hit in the head. But Jack had been flung out to the side. He grasped onto the rope for dear life. Dorothy grabbed hold of his wrists and tried hard to pull him back to safety.
"Gump, watch where you're flying!" The mechanical man called out.
"Aah! Pull me up! Pull me up!" Jack screamed, his legs dangling in the air and avoiding to get hit from the pillars.
"Hang on, Jack! I've got you!" yelled Dorothy.
The Tiger curled up into a ball whilst his face turned green.
"Don't barf on us now, pussycat!" exclaimed Woodenhorse.
But the poor Tiger couldn't hold it in any longer. He leaned over to the back of the sofas and vomited really loudly. The leader of the winged baboons had flown rather closely to the flying gump until he caught sight of what was coming straight at him.
SPLOOSH!
Dorothy and Jack, still clinging to each other, looked away when the baboon leader came in contact with the tiger's vomit.
"Ugh, that's gross!" said Dorothy.
"Ah, did he have to do that?" questioned Jack.
Tiktok waddled over to Dorothy and, with his own strength, helped pull Jack back into the safety of the sofas.
When the rest of the winged baboons caught up to their leader, they gagged in shocked disgust. Then putting it to the side, they continued their pursuit.
"My bad." The Tiger gave a sheepish grin as everyone stared at him.
"What's going on back there?" asked the Gump, unaware of the events that happened.
"Nothing. It was nothing." Billina fiddled, trying to make an excuse. "Try flying into the clouds!"
"You got it, lady!"
The Gump soared higher and higher, flying in the direction of the grey clouds ahead of them. Just as the flying baboons were about to catch up to them, the Gump disappeared within the clouds and was out of sight.
The winged baboons halted in their tracks when they lost their prey. But after looking at the splash of green on their leader's face, and the injuries they received from the tiger, they had enough. Giving up, the winged baboons turned and flew back in the direction of the Land of Oz.
-0o0o0-
This did not please Mombi at all when she had witnessed this through the crystal ball. "No! No, no, no, no! What are you doing!? You fools! YOU'RE LETTING DOROTHY GALE ESCAPE!"
In the mirror, the green misty ghost figure watched with worry as Mombi fumed over her minions' cowardice. She prayed silently that Dorothy would not come to harm and would reach Nome Mountain in one piece.
"So now what do we do?" Langwidere complained, who was just as upset as the witch was.
Mombi waved her broomstick scepter in the air in a rage. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!"
-0o0o0-
"They're not following us anymore," said Dorothy, right after their escape from those winged monsters.
"Whew! That sure was a close one." The Tiger wiped his brow in relief. "I just hope we don't run into those flying freaks next time."
"Great idea of losing them in the clouds, Billina." Tiktok tipped his hat politely to the lady hen, who blushed.
"Aw, it was nothing." Then, Billina let out a tiny yawn. "Now I think I'm ready to go back to sleep." She plopped her body down on Dorothy's lap.
Dorothy also yawned and she lay back down on the soft cushion. "Wake us when we get there."
"Okay m…I mean, Dorothy." Jack covered his mouth in surprise. He looked down at the sleeping farm girl and felt that he could see many of his mom's traits in the young girl. She was just like her in many ways; caring for him, protecting him, cheering him up when he was troubled, and very beautiful.
"Dorothy…?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"Dorothy, may I call you mom, even if it isn't so? But you remind me so much of her."
Grinning hugely, Dorothy nodded.
Jack felt his heart lightened. "Oh, thank you, mom."
Then closing her eyes and yawning once more, Dorothy drifted off into slumber.
-0o0o0-
As for the Scarecrow, he continued to reply the episodes of his anger and resentment for the wheeler that tried to put the moves on Dorothy, and what he had felt when he first had his glimpse of Dorothy all grown up. The Wizard gifted him with the best brains in all of Oz, but he didn't wonder about this feeling he now felt for his best friend. Anybody else would've flustered in confusion over such a feeling, but he was in feeling of denial.
"Why am I feeling this way toward Dorothy? She's just a friend. She's just a kid. Nothing more." He muttered under his breath. "I was just concerned about her safety, that's all! I didn't mean that literally." He thought back to the image where Dorothy cried in her prison in the Wizard's chamber. "She's been very lonesome without me and I want to be there with her. Dorothy has been getting into a lot of trouble recently and I want to protect her. I can't bear the thought of losing her."
He remembered how the winged monkeys kidnapped her and how scared he felt for her, but he would never forget how she saved his life when the Wicked Witch attempted to burn him. The one memory that scared him the most was the time Dorothy nearly drowned after plummeting over the waterfall and the Jester rubbing it in his face. The Scarecrow had fallen into despair since then, but he was truly relieved when she had shown up to rescue him. The image of that spunky twelve year old Dorothy transforming into the beautiful eighteen year old Dorothy replayed in his mind. Her long hair swaying from side to side when she shakes her head, her eyes showing more brilliance than stars in the night sky, her mermaid voice ringing through his ears, the kindness she had shown him when they first met. The feeling of himself falling in love with her made him shiver, but in a good way. It's no surprise to the straw man to understand this emotion he had come to embrace.
"I guess I…..I really am in love with her. But, what if she doesn't love me?" The Scarecrow felt his own eyes get droopy and he leaned back against the stone wall. "All this worrying is making me tired. I have nothing to worry about now that Dorothy is safe and protected." Yawning slightly, the Scarecrow fell into a deep sleep.
-0o0o0-
Dorothy found herself alone in the Emerald palace ballroom. She didn't know why she would dream of being here of all places, but it was definitely beautiful.
"Dorothy? Is that you?"
A familiar voice asked a familiar question. Dorothy glanced over her shoulder and gasped in delight.
"Scarecrow!"
Both became ecstatic as they rushed toward each other, arms outstretched, grinning hugely. The Scarecrow caught Dorothy in his embrace, holding her close to his chest. Dorothy nuzzled her face in his shoulder and neck, crying softly.
"Oh, I was so worried about you." sobbed Dorothy. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"Exactly my thoughts, kiddo, because I was worried about you too," the Scarecrow said, comfortingly. "You've really grown up over the years. You look very pretty." He blushed from the compliment.
"Thank you." Dorothy giggled.
Looking at the location around him, the Scarecrow had an idea. Holding out his hand and bowing, he asked, "Since we're in the ballroom, would you care to dance with me?"
"I'd love to!" Dorothy replied, taking his gloved hand.
The Scarecrow took her to the middle of the dance floor right as the music plays for both of them. The straw man king felt a tingling when he placed his free hand on Dorothy's waist and the touch of Dorothy's other free hand on his shoulder.
And when their waltz began, Dorothy looked like an angel dancing on a cloud. She was spun and twirled about. The Scarecrow always believed he was a clumsy dancer, even after meeting Dorothy, but he had become so much better and less clumsy, that he became a popular dancer. A moment like this is where everything comes together, beautiful moments that feels like heaven, or the feeling of falling in love.
I finally found someone
That knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one
That makes me feel complete
It started at a cornfield
We started out as friends
It's funny how from simple things
The best things begin
This time is different
And it's all because of you
It's better than it's ever been
Cause we can talk it though
My favorite line was "I'll miss you most of all"
It's all you had to say
To take my breath away
This is it
Oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one
To be with every night
Cause whatever I do
It's just got to be you
My life has just begun
I finally found someone
It was about now something happened in that moment. Something indescribable passed through Dorothy when she was brought very closely to the Scarecrow's face. She felt a warm feeling that had never been there before. Dorothy felt her heart pounding so fast and released a small gasp from her lips. She was no stranger to boys flirting with her or trying to ask her out on dates back in school. But none of these dates worked out because some of them only liked her for her looks while most of them turned out to be arrogant jerks that wanted her for themselves. But having her old friend right in front of her, dancing with her, and so close to his face that she found his intelligent blue eyes alluring, she felt butterflies in her stomach. Now she could not help but feel something more for him. But it suddenly felt silly to her and so wrong when she pushed herself out of his arms, turning her back to him so he wouldn't see the pained look on her face.
"Dorothy, what's wrong?" The Scarecrow asked, concerned.
"Well, you're a scarecrow and I…" Dorothy fumbled, "we're different, you and I. It could never work."
The Scarecrow frowned in disappointment. "I thought so."
And then, Dorothy's brain played the memories of the time he lead the rescue of her capture from the Wicked Witch, very nearly got burned by the Witch's broomstick when she attempted to destroy him, and the cruel torture he had to suffer under the Jester. She felt very worried and scared for his safety as well as the safety of her other friends, but there was lightness in her heart when she reunited with him twice, safe and sound.
"But then, you have been my first friend and you always cared about for me." She turned to him, her lips curving into that ever so famous smile. "You're book-smart, intelligent, and a great inventor. I even told you that I would miss you most of all." Her words had a feeling of admiration and endearment, and the Scarecrow felt his heart flutter to hear her say such things to him.
Then, Dorothy remembered reading an interesting book she found in the town library. It was a traditional fairy tale, a tale about a beautiful girl who met a hideous beast. But as she spent more time with him, the girl could see that beneath his ugly appearance beats a heart of gold. In the end, the beast transformed into a handsome prince and married the girl. Dorothy immediately felt she could relate to the beauty and felt that a lesson was given to her from that book.
"Never judge someone by how they look on the outside; it's what's inside that someone that counts. That's what's makes someone beautiful." And if she were like the beauty, then the Scarecrow would be…well, not think of him like a beast. More like a poor lonely soul with no one to love.
"That's beautiful," smiled the Scarecrow, slowly approaching her. "Where did you learn that?"
"Oh, it's just something I read from a book once," said Dorothy.
The Scarecrow placed both hands on her shoulders and requested, "Dorothy, I want you to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"Promsie me that you won't go confronting the Nome King on your own. You've done it before with the Jester and you were helpless against him."
This upset Dorothy briefly. "But if something bad did happen to my friends because of their involvement with me, I might go after this Nome King guy myself."
"Dorothy!" The Scarecrow almost yelled in a stern tone, but he relaxed himself quickly. "I want you to promise me that you won't place yourself in danger."
Dorothy glanced up at him. The look in his blue eyes told her that he was serious. Sighing in defeat, Dorothy opened her mouth to speak when she suddenly vanished.
"Dorothy? Dorothy, where are you?" The Scarecrow looked around frantically. There was no sign of Dorothy. She was gone. The entire ballroom seemed to be fading away into darkness.
"DOROTHY!"
-0o0o0-
Everything flashed white and for a second there was nothing but bright light. The light faded away when the Scarecrow woke up screaming Dorothy's name. His heart stopped when he was face to face with one of the rock minions.
The rock minion grabbed an icy grip on the straw man's wrist, the hand that held the mirror. "So, you've been spying on your girl, eh?"
The Scarecrow grew alarmed. He had dozed off so soon that he had been careless to leave the magic mirror out. He tried to pull his arm back, but another rock minion appeared from within the wall and put him in a hammerlock. A larger rock figure rose up from the stone floor. The Scarecrow couldn't see who it was because of the darkness, but when he heard his deep rumbling voice, he knew instantly that it was his captor.
"It's not nice to hide secrets from me," he said, mockingly. "Why don't you let me take a peak on your friend?" He removed the mirror from the Scarecrow's grasp and looked into the mirror's image. A dark, sinister smile appeared on his lips. "Well, well. It looks like your beloved has reached the end of her rope."
The personage faced the mirror's image to his captive. The Scarecrow looked into the mirror and gasped in utter horror.
"MOM, THERE'S A STORM COMING!"
Dorothy had wakened to the sound of Jack's frantic wailing, which explaiend why she disappeared from their dream meeting. She looked around and saw nothing but black mist all around them. They were trapped within a storm of black clouds. Lightning cracked and the vibration of thunder shook the Thing violently.
The ropes that held the sofas together started to slip and break away. Luckily, Jack caught on end of the rope and the Tiger caught the other end of the rope. But Jack leaned too far and his pumpkin head slipped off.
"HELP ME, MOM! I'M FALLING!"
Dorothy gasped. "Oh no! Gump, dive!"
"I'm trying, but I wan't built to turn!" shouted the Gump.
Pullin in his palm fronds, the Gump plummed down after the carved pumpkin. Once she got close enough to it, Dorothy reached out and grabbed the head.
"I've got you, Jack!"
"Thank you, mom!"
Jack reached for his head to re-attach his head but let go of the rope in the process. Tiktok quickly grabbed hold of the rope.
Just then, a black cloud in front of them shapeshifted into the wicked face of Mombi. "Sorry, your flight's been cancelled," she yelled in a booming voice. "I'm afraid you'll have to land. So I'll be seeing you next fall!"
The wicked witch cackled loudly as an enormous lightning bolt was conjured up and sent hurling straight at Dorothy and her friends, all letting out screams of sheer terror. There was an explosion when the bolt struck the Thing and everyone else onboard.
"NO!" hollered the Scarecrow.
When the explosion ended, his captive threw the mirror against the stone wall, breaking its glass reflection and destroying its magic.
"Looks like Mombi did a job well done," the mystery personage chuckled cruelly.
The two rock minions chortled with him. "Say goodbye to Dorothy Gale, lover boy."
Their mockery and jeering reminded the Scarecrow when the Jester once shoved it in his face about Dorothy's suppose demise over the waterfall. She survived it, but it looked like she could never survive a lightning that big and powerful. His heart fell when he was forced to accept it. However, his feelings of grief and despair soon turned to anger and rage. The Scarecrow glared up at his unknown captor seeing red.
"YOU MURDERER! I HAVE SEEN SOME DISGUSTING FREAKSHOWS IN MY TIME, BUT YOU TAKE THE CAKE!"
His captor didn't take kindly to insults, so he struck him down with a single blow. The Scarecrow dropped to the floor with such force. Before going unconscious, the last he thing he saw were the rock minions reaching out to grab him.
Author's Note - Very dramatic, I know. But don't worry, Dorothy and the gang will be okay. The song I put in for Dorothy and Scarecrow's dream meeting was Bryan Adams and Barbra Streisand singing I Finally Found Someone. There will be another Bryan Adams song in the end, but I won't tell. Another Dan Aykroyd line from Ghostbusters was used in at the end of this chapter cause I've been wanting to save it for something like this.