Oz Victorious
Chapter Seventeen: The Decision
"Oz is falling," the Wizard declared, his voice grim. "I was never their savior...and now that's clear." Addie put her hand on her father's shoulder. "I've let them all down."
Gazing out at the smoldering remains of what was once a proud and beautiful forest, the trio seemed to share a sigh of despair. All seemed lost, and Oz was in its darkest day. An icy wind blew over the silent valley just beyond the Emerald City. The sun had long since been blocked out by dark, storm-bearing clouds, and a green tint stained what was left visible of the sky. "Who was she?" Oz finally asked, breaking the silence. "Victoria...Before all this?"
"She was the most wonderful person I ever knew," Katrina answered, not taking her eyes off the carnage before her. "She was caring, loving...so hurt by the world. Jadeyn made sure she felt the pain, even as she tried to ignore it."
"And who was Jade?" the Wizard continued, his eyes tearing up; blinding him.
"...Evil," the good witch answered. "Ever since the day I met her, she was wicked."
"And now, so is Victoria," Addie said, remembering the broken shards that remained of her home. "She let herself become just as hateful as those she met...Now she's the one the people call wicked."
Flying through the air, leaving pitch black smoke in her wake, the Wicked Witch of the West made her way over Munchkinland. Throwing orbs of fire into the protective field, the green woman watched the people scream and cry. Cackling wildly at the wind, Victoria watched the fires spread along the Yellow Brick Road, circling the entire countryside.
"Addie," the Wizard said, putting his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "If there's one thing I've learned in all my years in power...it's that I can't be all-powerful. I need you to do something for me."
"Anything, Dad," the woman replied, gazing into her father's tired, weary eyes.
"I am appointing you as Grand Overseer of Oz," the graying man declared. "Make sure I never let this happen again." Taking her father's hand, the china doll lay her palm against the Wizard's heart.
"You've done nothing wrong in my book," Addie whispered.
"...There has to be a reason Jadeyn found out about the Slippers just now," Oz finally declared, turning to Katrina. "The prophecy...'one from worlds away'...what if she's found the chosen one?"
"The Slippers..." the good witch replied. "A gift from our mother...now she uses them to destroy her very memory. In her darkness, she tainted the blessing...she's going to your world."
"There has to be a way to stop her," the Wizard declared. "It can't be hopeless..." Clenching the rails around the balcony, Oz leaned over the edge, letting his tears fall onto the world below.
"...I've never seen you so broken," Katrina replied, her voice hurt. "Since the day I met you, there was always hope inside of you...What was your name?" Silence filled the death-stained air.
"What do you mean?" the Wizard grumbled, not taking his eyes off ruination.
"Before you became Oz," the good witch explained, her voice serious and grave. "Before the day you died."
His expression sharpening into a perplexed, almost angry look of confusion, the graying man opened his mouth, though only silence sounded out. I love you, Freddie, Ms. Benson whispered to her son. Freddie and Addie held one another's hand as they walked down the hallway together. "...Freddie...Freddie Benson," Oz finally answered. "...The dreamer...the kid who thought anything was possible..."
"Maybe it's time for the kid to come back," Addie replied, her tone gentle as she touched her father's shoulder.
"...I'm a better Wizard than I ever was a man," the graying man answered, as if talking to the wind. "And this was my dream world...and I allowed myself to forget that anything is possible..." Katrina and Addie gazed at the Wizard. "Can we bring the chosen one here? Before Jadeyn can reach them?"
"The only way is your way," the good witch answered. "But I can give no promise where the savior will arrive. I do give you my swear that I will find and protect them...at all cost."
"Thank you," Oz replied. "You have my blessing...take her to me as soon as you can."
The good witch nodded, and turned to the world before her. Waving her hands, Katrina summoned forth black clouds and great winds. Soon, a funnel formed in the sky, and a massive tornado dawned. "Bring the chosen one here safely," the woman prayed.
Gazing into the blackened horizon, Jadeyn clenched her eyes into a scowl, watching the blood-red sky fade into shadow. "The savior of Oz bleeds tonight," she snarled, rising into the air. Commanding her hoard of flying apes, Victoria watched her sister disappear in the darkness. "Destroy everything!" the Wicked Witch of the West commanded.
Holding Addie in his arms, Oz closed his eyes, and prayed. The china doll did the same as Katrina carried out her spell. "As penance for my failure," the Wizard began, his voice grave. "Nevermore will I leave the Emerald City...only the Wizard will find salvation..." The good witch looked with concern upon her old friend. "I'm sorry, Katrina. But Freddie Benson's last act as a man was a leap of faith...something only the child inside of me could do. Thank you." The Wizard then walked inside the castle, and closed himself into his throne room.