Chapter 6

The following morning, Richard, Dorothy, and their new friends were on the road quickly. All the way down the road, Mr. Wogglebug talked of his adventures since leaving the schoolhouse, and what sorts of things they might come across on their way to the Emerald City. Jack Pumpkinhead walked lankily beside Wogglebug, asking of his assurance that he would get his wish from the Wizard. Wogglebug only gently tapped Jack on his shoulders, and told him to be patient.

Richard stayed at the back of the group, with the compass floating beside him, clutching the copy of The Marvelous Land of Oz. He tried to take careful note of their surroundings, as it was all so glorious, and that he wanted to know where to go back to the Munchkin City, in case the Wizard couldn't grant their wishes. At one point, he had to explain this logic to Dorothy, and she had to keep from laughing.

"Richard, how can you think like that?" she wanted to know. "If the Wizard is as kind as the Sorceress from the South said, then surely we can't be mistaken."

"I'm just trying to be safe," Richard explained.

Wogglebug turned to face Richard. "You can't doubt what no one is absolutely sure about," he said surely. "The key is to be optimistic, my good friend."

"Well said, Mr. Wogglebug," Jack said humbly.

Richard didn't say anything, only shrugging.

"Unfortunately, the same can be said for your compass," Wogglebug said softly. "I've been contemplating this situation as we've been walking, and it's still extremely difficult to place what this thing could possibly be."

"Even with your superior knowledge…?" Jack asked, a little hopelessly.

"Afraid so," said Wogglebug. "As I've said, it's something only a great Wizard or a great Sorceress can work on their own knowledge. In a way, we are like young children with a complex, brand-new vehicle on the streets of New York City. Who knows what we could walk into?"

Jack gave Wogglebug a look that seemed to say he was standing in the presence of a god. "What kind of a place is New York City?" he wondered aloud.

"The most bustling city in the United States of America, my friend," Wogglebug explained. "Actually, it would not surprise me a bit to think that this compass came to be in such a place. There are so many kinds of people there, nothing is ever the same two days in a row."

Richard shook his head. "Um, Mr. Wogglebug, I really don't think this compass came from New York. It would have to come from somewhere in this world, because there is no magic in my world."

Mr. Wogglebug craned his head to look at Richard. "Maybe that's because you have never seen real magic in your world," he said. "It's easy to believe that things don't exist because you have never seen them, my young boy. That's why we must keep open minds, no matter what world we are in."

Jack nodded, as did Dorothy.

"But, I can only hope we reach the Emerald City soon," Dorothy stated, brushing some stray hair behind her ears. "My Aunt Em and Uncle Henry must be so worried right now."

"Never fear of that, my dear," Wogglebug said sweetly. "Since you have saved our land from the Witch of the East, we at least owe you a way back to your home."

Dorothy smiled.

And so the group walked on, but, despite the bright sun, the countryside they walked through became dismal and dark. There were fewer houses that they walked past, and less people to greet. Even Wogglebug, who walked forth with a confident smile upon his face, looked kind of disheartened.

"Surely Oz once looked so lovely right here," he said.

No one spoke again while they moved through the land, gradually coming upon a forest, which was divided by a great ditch in the road. There were rocks at the bottom of the ditch, and was wide enough that they couldn't merely step across it.

Dorothy shivered in her shoes, nearly dropping her basket. "What shall we do?"

Wogglebug shook his head, as did Jack Pumpkinhead.

"For…if we tried to jump, we might surely be killed," Wogglebug said thoughtfully. "My exoskeleton cannot likely withstand those rocks, and we can't risk letting the compass get dented." Richard gulped at such a thought.

"Well, then…what is there to do?" asked Jack nervously.

As the group pondered, Richard noticed that the compass was glowing a bright pink, as if it were agitated by something. It tugged hard at Richard, struggling against the hand that held it close. Richard pulled back at the compass's chain, to get it back under control, before suddenly, he was lifted high into the air, held only by the compass chain.

Dorothy and the others looked up at Richard, who was floating in the air, screaming blue murder at this unexpected behavior.

"Richard!" Dorothy yelped. "What is happening?"

"Why would I know?" Richard asked, waving his arms frantically.

"No. Stop!" Wogglebug exclaimed. "I believe we may have found a solution to our problem."

"How, Mr. Wogglebug, sir?" Jack asked meekly.

"It's easy," explained Wogglebug. "The compass can carry Richard high into the air, and then hold him there—for how long, I can't be sure—perhaps a few hours at a time. Now then, what if we could all hold onto each other, as the compass hauls us up and over the ditch? That way we have an easier means of travel, and we will be safe from whatever other dangers might await us on the ground."

"It's worth a try," said Jack eagerly.

"Richard, come down, please!" Dorothy called to her friend, and just as quickly, Richard was lowered down by the compass. He held on tight, and then, Dorothy took hold of Richard's hand, placing Toto in her basket. Jack and Wogglebug took hold as well, and Richard tugged on the compass's chain. As if it were lifting only him again, the compass carried the group high over the ditch. Richard was also quite shocked; aside from holding onto Dorothy, it felt as if he were hardly carrying anything—Jack Pumpkinhead and Mr. Wogglebug were almost as light as feathers, making this quick new journey easier on his arms.

Richard breathed deeply, watching the land that the compass flew them over. The compass wrapped its chain tightly around his fingers, so as not to let go, as Richard scanned the countryside. The forest—from which he heard several different roars—was vast, but beyond, he could see the markings of a field of flowers. It was just as vast as the forest, but much more fertile, and colorful. Trees lined the yellow brick road, swinging with exotic-looking fruits, and from below him, Richard heard Dorothy moan with pleasure seeing such delicious fruits.

Finally, the compass dropped them behind the forest, just at the start of the road that ran through this new brand of country. Everyone in the group had to slit their eyes just to see three feet in front of them, so bright were the colors of the flowers.

"I can't believe this," Dorothy said, in utter rapture. "I don't know if I've ever seen such beautiful colors before. We never had flowers like these back in Kansas."

"We don't even have these kinds of flowers in my neighborhood," said Richard, remembering all the prize-winning gardens his neighbors planted, some of which had included some pretty fantastic flowers. But the poppies in the grass outdid those petty things rather immensely.

"Come, one and all, let's not dilly-dally," said Wogglebug cheerily. "We are one step closer towards reaching the Emerald City, and having our greatest wishes granted."

"Quite right, Mr. Wogglebug," said Jack Pumpkinhead excitedly, and he started an awkward stride onto the road surrounded by the flowers.

The rest of the group followed Jack, but the moment that Dorothy and Richard stepped upon the road, a spell of drowsiness—stronger than any other—hit them over the head, like an off-target baseball. Richard instantly felt as if he hadn't slept in days, although he slept fine the previous night. His eyes started to fall closed, staggering on his feet. Dorothy had the same reaction, as she stumbled towards the soft flowers.

"Dorothy! Richard!" exclaimed Wogglebug, just as Dorothy and Toto fell asleep upon the flowers. He stretched his arms to pick up the girl, but he struggled immensely, only managing to make Dorothy roll over in the plants.

"What's happening…to us?" Richard asked, before he found himself collapsing into the grass.

"The flowers," Wogglebug quickly realized. "There are so many of them, that their scent is casting powerfully upon you—in the equivalent of a witch's spell. Oh. Oh, my. This is not at all good!" He shot up, and directed his voice at Jack Pumpkinhead. "Come and help me, Jack! We must get Richard and Dorothy out of here before they lose their stores of strength!"

Jack turned his head around and, at hearing Wogglebug's call, scrambled towards him. When he did, he found that he had as much luck lifting the children from the ground as Wogglebug had. But with some effort, Wogglebug and Jack were able to get the children to their feet, as the compass wrung its chain around Richard and Dorothy's wrists to keep them standing upright.

Wogglebug eyed his children friends wearily. "I know not how much longer we can keep them going this way," he said to Jack. "Much less, how much farther we have before we reach the Emerald City."

"It can't be too far, can it?" asked Jack.

"Doubtless, my friend. Doubtless," replied Wogglebug. "But for now, all that's left to do, is get somewhere safe before anything else happens."