Oz Victorious
Chapter Nine: The Battle for Everything
The group walked up the hill, and entered Munchkinland. Hundreds of homes and shining buildings filled the land, trees grew freely, and white, snow-like petals blew in the calm wind. "You sure they won't come back?" Freddie whispered to Katrina.
"Not as long as they believe the land is under our protection," the good witch answered. "But I fear they're raising an army in the Emerald City; the capital, and the home to the palace we grew up in. There is where we must make our stand." Swallowing hard, Freddie looked down at Addie, whose eyes were strong and encouraging.
"Okay," the brunette boy whispered, preparing himself for what might be his greatest challenge yet. "Everyone! Citizens of Munchkinland! I am The Wizard! The Witches will plague this land no more! You're free to come out and return to your lives!" Slowly, windows opened, doors cracked, and people began to form around the center of the town. Some tall, others small, the citizens of Munchkinland assembled around their wizard. "We have driven the Wicked Witches away. But the war is far from over."
"Are you truly our savior?" one of the women asked.
Looking at Katrina for guidance, Freddie was shown he had to make his own decision. "...Yes." I can't risk their lives...but maybe this is the only way. "We are gathering an army!...Will you join us?"
"We shall stand with The Wizard!" one of the smaller men cried out. The others cheered. "Hooray for The Wizard!" Freddie looked at the crowds, knowing their faith was in him. "He's come at last!"
"We will storm the Emerald City!" Freddie cried out. "Take the fight directly to the Witches, and end their reign of terror!... Do you have an armory?" Suddenly, the crowds grew silent.
"The citizens of Oz are a peaceful people," Katrina explained. "The Tinkers can build wonderful things, though. We have before us the greatest thinkers and inventors of Oz."
Speechless and confused, Freddie turned to his cart; the computer was still fully functional, as was the projector, web cams, and various gadgets. "Are any of you good with computers?" the young man asked. No one answered. "Or electricity?" Several tall men and women walked forward. "...Builders?" Five small men and three tall women stepped towards their hero. "Okay...we don't have much time before they plan their revenge, so our training will begin today. Tomorrow night, we storm the Emerald City. If you cannot fight, we'll make someone who can! We will protect that which the Witches have stolen from you! We will take Oz back!" The crowds roared with applause. Maybe they cheered the same way the audiences would for iCarly's technical supervisor.
The woodsmen began chopping down trees, the Tinkers fashioned various machine parts while stuyding Freddie's equipment, and the others planned their strike. "Beck Oliver," a small man called out. A woodsman struck down his ax into a log, then looked at his superior. "We're putting you in charge of the the grand contraption...build well."
"Raise your arms!" Freddie cried out, standing in front of a small group of tall and small men; all those standing raised hand-crafted spears into the air. Addie struggled to lift an arrowhead, only to be lifted up by Freddie. "Addie, I need you for a very special job," he said. "Do you know how to be a crier?" Nodding, the china doll cleared her throat as her friend set her down.
"Alright, everyone!" Addie called out. "Forward march!" The men proudly, staunchly marched forward. The little girl looked up at The Wizard.
"Nice job," Freddie proudly declared.
Spreading out a blueprint, the brunette slid his finger around, explaining tactical maneuvers to the soon-to-be soldiers and inventors. Katrina practiced her spells, granting blessings on as many soldiers as she could.
"Move! Move!" a gruff-voiced man called out, pulling on a long rope. Slowly, metal parts tightened in place, and the Golems were formed before the city. Builders and electrical workers crossed wires, welded metal, and molded hot materials. Taking hammers and iron rods, the men and women formed out the word, "Oz" on every single armored plate before them.
"Great job, everyone!" Freddie cried out, walking alongside Trina. "When the Witches face us, they'll find an army waiting for them." You have to do this...you're strong enough. Everyone's counting on you. I won't blow it like before
Several citizens studied Freddie's laptop, observing its screen and the keyboard. The brunette boy unwound a set of cords, connecting it to a rough version of new speakers. Polishing a small round screen, several Munchkinlanders observed a projector.
Watching his men and women preparing for battle, Freddie composed a message on his computer, printed it out, and signed his name. "I pray you'll reach them by the wind," he whispered, kissing the folded note, then letting it blow away; blowing towards his mother. Katrina put her hand on the boy's shoulder. As the sun set, the group made their way back to Katrina's palace.
"Could you tuck me in?" Addie timidly asked her friend.
"Sure," Freddie answered, walking the little girl into her room. The light of the fire glistening in her eyes, Katrina smiled at the two.
Pulling the sheets up to the china doll's shoulders, the brunette boy stroked her smooth hair. "Thank you," Addie whispered, turning onto her side, her eyes closing. "Dad." Freddie felt his heart warm over as a smile formed on his face. "Goodnight, angel," he whispered.
Sitting in a chair, his chin cupped in his fist, the young man stared into the fire without blinking. His expression grave, the boy went over the plan again and again in his mind. Tomorrow, he would lead an entire army into war. Home seemed so far away. Pulling out his computer, the young man looked over a program; the same program he showed the Tinkers. Scanning over the data and the resources, Freddie checked the status of his equipment. His computer was fully charged, his speakers repaired and replaced. This has to work.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Katrina said, sitting across from Freddie.
"Just alittle nervous about tomorrow," the boy answered. "Everything has to go right."
"Your efforts have been great...," the good witch declared. "For any individual. Other countries have heard of our work...you've inspired a nation. You are a good man."
"...I wish I could believe that," Freddie answered. "All my life, I wanted to do something...something great...something that people would remember." And I still wonder if I ever will. "I'm sorry I'm not your savior."
"You could prove me wrong," Katrina smiled. "You have inspired them in a way I have never seen before...not even in my father's reign." Freddie smiled to himself, feeling a sense of comfort rise within him.
Victoria and Jadeyn stood in the doorway of their balcony, watching the flying apes patrol the streets, keeping the citizens at bay. "The prophecy has come true," Jade declared, grinding her ruby slippers together. "The Wizard has come."
"The Wizard will fall," Tori replied. "We shall rule the Emerald City. Then, once Katrina is dead, we will rule all of Oz!" The prophecy shall be shattered.
The next night, the sun set over the Emerald City, painting the sky blood red. Freddie, Katrina the Good, and Addie the Brave marched towards the city, followed by their army, all clad in shining silver armor bearing the title of "Oz" on the chest. Several pushed a large box on wheels; its exterior smooth and well-polished. No sides were jagged or flawed. "For Oz!" Freddie cried out. "For Oz!" the people applauded. Behind the men and women stood the Golems, staunchly guarding Munchkinland. Finally, the army reached the gates of the Emerald City, and stopped.
"Kill them!" Victoria ordered. The flying monkeys hollered and screeched as their wings tore through the air. However, their leader's voice was stained with fear; fear for the great army raging forward.
"First line! Now!" Addie cried out. A massive row of soldiers stepped forward, bearing torches in the air. The fires burned bright in the apes' eyes, causing several to retreat into the sky. However, some persisted. The soldiers waved the flames, setting several of the apes ablaze. Still, the monsters clawed, tearing and rending the armor, and dropping several to their knees in death. However, instead of blood, only circuits fell from the fallen warriors. "Third Battalion!" Small catapults launched balls of fire into the air, exploding with bright lights that blinded the monkeys.
"Ram the doors!" Freddie cried out, fading back behind the rows of shining knights. Tinkers and soldiers took long logs and steel hammers and began pounding them into the great doorway.
Katrina raised her wand, levitating into the air. There, Jadeyn awaited. "Sister," the Wicked Witch of the East happily snarled.
"You're no sister of mine," Trina declared. The witches released bolts of magic from their wands, colliding in mid air. The two glared into one another's eyes as their magic attempted to trump the others. Lightning and thunder struck in the distance.
Finally, the doors were breached, and the soldiers entered the Emerald City. Addie looked around, then ran towards the box. Drawing their swords, the new warriors guarded the roving box as they flooded into the city. Slashing their swords downward, the robotic soldiers slayed several apes on the ground. Suddenly, dark figures began lifting up the knights, then flying off into the darkness. Munchkinlanders took the stand, trying to avoid hurting other living creatures
Victoria lowered onto the ground, and released a blast of fire that surrounded the soldiers. "Bring me The Wizard!" she commanded.
"We will not surrender our protector!" one of the knights cried back.
"No!" Freddie cried out, stepping forward. "No one else is going to die for me. I surrender...we all surrender." Shooting a ball of fire, Victoria watched the so-called hero explode in flames. Cackling madly at the wind, the wicked witch knew she had triumphed.
Katrina looked down at the horrific scene, only to be struck by Jadeyn's magic. Falling rapidly, the good witch found herself on the cold, hard floor, inside the gateway.
"You all saw the true face of your savior!" Victoria hollered. "He was a coward! He sent you to your deaths and didn't have faith enough to carry through with it! He betrayed you all! Where is your hero now?" Jadeyn and her wicked sister laughed the laugh of the evil. Suddenly, another laugh echoed throughout the land; a strong, powerful laugh. Several knights held speakers in their hands in place of shields. Katrina looked up from her defeat.
Fire erupted from the ground, frightening away the flying apes. The box began to shine as fog surrounded it. "I...am...Oz! The Great...and Powerful!" Freddie's voice called out, his power shaking the very foundation of the Emerald City. Through the flames and smoke, the young man's face emerged. "I have shed my mortality, and am now all-powerful!" Fire roared with each word The Wizard spoke. "By destroying my human form, you have released the might of the Wizard of Oz!" Victoria stepped back, her jaw dropped in terror. "My army, take the city!" The soldiers cheered in victory, and continued to storm the castle.
From inside the box, Freddie stared into the camera on his computer while Addie positioned the projector. "Quake at my great and terrible power!" he ordered. "Evil's hour has ended!" Watching her entire army retreat, the Wicked Witch of the West accepted her defeat, and flew into the air. "Victoria!...I know there is still good inside of you...if it should ever return to you...you are welcome to return."
"I have filled my heart with hatred!" the witch screamed. Cackling, Victoria flew off into the darkness.
Staring into the massive eyes of the Wizard, Jadeyn saw the truth. "He's not the savior," she snarled under her breath. However, she knew she was overpowered, and fled with her sister. The army cheered with all its might. Waving her wand, Katrina cast a protection spell over the Emerald City, guarding it against the forces of wickedness. Now that the evil ones were gone, their magic no longer bound the kingdom.
"Goodness has claimed the day!" Freddie declared. Fireworks sounded in the sky, leaving trails of bright red, blue, and yellow light. Katrina smiled at Oz's hero, as did Addie the Brave.
"You know the story," Freddie said, setting up the projector in the throne room of the Emerald City castle. "Freddie Benson had to die...so that Oz could live." The few soldiers that knew the truth bowed, and departed from the room. "...I'll be a better Wizard than I ever was a man," the young man whispered.
"You did it!" Addie cheered, running into her friend's arms. "You saved Oz!"
"For now," Freddie replied. "But the Witches still exist...but from now on, they'll have no power here."
"You have proved yourself, Fredward Benson of New York," Katrina declared. "Under you, all the nations have come together. You now hold the key to Oz."
"Then that is the title I'll go by," the young man replied. "...Oz. Freddie Benson died the day he was born. And Addie...I know I can't replace your family...but I promise, I will be the best father to you I can be." The little girl smiled, and held her new father tighter.
"May you lead us into a new age," the good witch said. "May the magic of Oz live on forever more."
Remembering his family, Freddie let the memory turn into a prayer as he sat down on the throne of Oz. Addie...I know you're strong enough...and you will always be my friend. And Mom...I'll always love you. The two of you helped create the man who saved Oz.