Chapter 33

I do not own anything from Wizard of Oz.

I hope you are all enjoying this. This is the longest story I have ever written, and I have so much I still want to say, but I know it is almost at the end.

When Scarecrow came to the Impassable Desert, he let Kronos go back to the camps in Mifkit. Scarecrow had no need for water or food, and was able to make his way through the desert with no problems now. It was a longer journey, but he could not take a chance with Kronos in the desert, and getting ill in Oz.

He thought he could make it to Emerald City in five days, but it took eight, and he was getting anxious.

Scarecrow was able to get into Oz easily. There were no scouts or any danger when he passed into Munchkin County. It was what he saw that made him want to get to the queen, and defeat her after he came back into Oz.

Water was running; children were running

He reached Munchkin City, and knew now what he was up against.

You were running out of time

The illness was some kind of respiratory disease that he could not identify, and he knew many from the past and when he was King. The munchkins were all ill. Mayor Vinky was well enough to tell him that some had succumbed, but Ozma was keeping it strong enough to keep them in bed. They were not able to do a lot. He had no word on other counties, and what they were like.

Scarecrow could see the sickness and how it left neglect and misery in its wake.

Under the mountain, a golden fountain

Scarecrow was surrounded by munchkins who were well enough to see him, and thanked the heavens for returning him to Oz to help them.

Scarecrow could not stay long. He had to get to Emerald City soon or more would succumb to this illness.

Were you praying at the lares shrine?

Scarecrow could feel the rage grow within his straw body as he passed through each city, and each town on his way to Emerald City.

But oh your city lies in dust, my friend

He found a small pack of Nargol, and was able to slaughter them all out of anger and frustration. Otherwise, Oz was pretty quiet.

He came up on a group of soldiers in one town, and they were few, but he was ready to fight them all for letting this happen to Oz, but the look on their faces told the whole story.

Choking on the dirt and sand

They spotted Scarecrow, and immediately surrendered. Which was shocking, because Scarecrow was just one person, and he could have easily been defeated.

He realized they were too sick to fight, and too sick to follow him, so he was still on his own.

He made them swear loyalty to him, and when he broke the spell they had to fight for him if the need came. They all agreed, and apologized for the mistakes they had made. Scarecrow had to forgive them. All they knew was their loyalty to Oz, and were told that if they didn't stay and defend Oz they could be tried for treason. These men and creatures had families, and Scarecrow understood why they stayed behind everyone else.

Dragged and washed with eager hands

They would be ready to fight once they recovered.

But oh your city lies in dust, my friend

Scarecrow was finally able to make it to the yellow brick road, and it was deathly quiet. Usually, the yellow brick road near the Emerald City was always bustling with activity, but now it was empty and desolate.

He was careful to keep watchful eyes throughout the areas he traveled. He did not know if anymore Nargol were around in Oz. He wanted to know how Ozma was able to get Nargol again, and where they came from.

Hot and burning in your nostrils

As he got closer to Emerald City, he heard a screech that made him have to cover his ears. Then the roar as a shadow blocked the sun for a moment.

Scarecrow ran off the yellow brick road, and ducked into the trees. He looked up to catch the glimpse of the dragon as it passed over him. It roared, and screeched in the air, and headed to the south.

Scarecrow swallowed hard, and fell to the ground. He knew exactly who it was, and where he was going.

He cursed Boren with every fiber of his being. Scarecrow wanted so badly to turn back, and try to defeat him, but he knew he was too late. He was too far into Oz to get to Dorothy in time.

He had a feeling Ozma knew he was here, and sent out Boren just at the right time to toy with him.

Pouring down your gaping mouth

Scarecrow tried to calm down, but it was hard. He knew in his heart that Dorothy would never be able to defeat Boren on her own, and it wasn't that he wasn't confident that she couldn't, but she would not let more die to fight him.

He knew now this was not only going to be a rescue mission of Oz, but of Dorothy as well.

He decided to wait it out about a day or so, and see when Boren returned to Emerald City.

He would still move, but slowly. He had to make another plan to enter Emerald City.

Your molten bodies blanket of cinders

He knew Boren would probably get his powers back, but he never thought of a dragon in the process.

He remembered Khali telling him that they could do dragons, but they were very small, and no one really bothered when they shape shifted. Boren had been huge, and it meant that not only Ozma had given him his powers back, but more so than what they had possessed before.

Scarecrow hid out, and watched as the dragon returned, and it passed over him once more. He noticed he wasn't as high in the air this time, but could not tell if Dorothy was with him or not.

Caught in the throes ...

Scarecrow could only hope that Dorothy was unhurt. There was no way he could get help now. He was on his own this time. This was not Drigka. No, Ozma was a different kind of enemy.

He prayed as he made his way to the outskirts of Emerald City that Dorothy was still all right.

And your city lies in dust

Scarecrow looked around. He knew he could not go underground this time. Ozma had been so paranoid that she had all tunnels leading into the Emerald City sealed.

He had to get into the royal tower, and the only way to do that was from the air.

But how?

All the creatures were ill along with the humans. Scarecrow had to think for a moment, and he also had to make sure it was nighttime as well. Also, Scarecrow was pretty sure that Boren would be guarding the towers.

Scarecrow sat there for a while. He was getting anxious and it was affecting his logical thoughts on how to get into the castle.

His main thoughts were of Dorothy.

Suddenly, Scarecrow heard what sounded like footsteps along the yellow brick road. He quickly hid in the bushes, and watched as very weakened soldiers were making their way to Emerald City.

Scarecrow readied his sword. He recognized them from the town he was in a few days ago.

He knew he had to keep hidden as they made their way to him. He tried to calm his straw nerves as they approached.

Then they stopped along the road. Some of them scattered and were looking around the wooded area. Scarecrow froze in place, and tried to be as quiet as he could.

Then one of them was near him, and he heard a whisper.

"Your highness?" The soldier called and then began hacking.

Scarecrow knew he had a choice. To keep hiding and let them go on their way, or see why they were calling for him.

"We followed his tracks to this area," another one commented who was sweating profusely.

All of them looked pale and gaunt. Scarecrow counted about twenty of them. In their weakened states, he wondered if he could take them.

"Your highness!" One of them called again.

Scarecrow closed his eyes. He could only hope to pray to the gods that they were there to help him and not ambush him.

Getting into battle position, he slowly rose out of the bushes.

The other soldiers drew their swords as Scarecrow held up his arm and sword.

All of them were shaking and unsteady on their feet as they spotted him.

"We will not hurt you, your highness," the captain said to him.

Scarecrow looked at him, and knew it was taking a lot for them to come this far.

"How did you find me?" Scarecrow asked suspiciously still ready to fight.

The captain looked around at the rest of his group, and answered, "We decided to follow. Then we received orders from Ozma."

Scarecrow relaxed slightly. "What are your orders?"

"She will cure us if we help her capture you," the captain said. "She is calling all the rest of the soldiers loyal to her back to Oz. The Nargol have been annihilated. Until she can produce more, we are going there."

Scarecrow smiled slightly at the news.

Scarecrow readied his sword once more, and waited to be attacked. The captain stood there and shook his head.

"So, are you going to try to take me in?"

Suddenly, the captain was handed a uniform and threw it at Scarecrow who looked at him confused.

"Another one succumbed along the way, sire. We thought you might need this to get into Emerald City with us," the captain said sadly.

Scarecrow looked down at the uniform, and mourned for the lost soldier. He did not even die with honor; he had died from an illness.

"She has a dragon, sire," the captain said as Scarecrow changed and the rest of the group waited.

"I know him," Scarecrow answered buttoning the jacket.

The captain looked surprised. "You do?"

"He is a shape shifter from South Aglas. He almost defeated me, but we had some help. It is a long story."

The captain hesitated, and Scarecrow looked at him to say what he wanted to say.

"There are other rumors, highness," the captain said.

"What?"

"There is a rumor that your wife, Dorothy, has been captured by the dragon," he said waiting for the reaction.

Scarecrow sighed a little. So, it was as he thought.

"I know, and I hope she is unhurt," Scarecrow said lowly.

"How did you get changed back to straw, sire?" Another asked.

"Dorothy."

"Why?"

"Who is the only moving around with his health right now?" Scarecrow asked answering the question with the question.

The soldiers began to sit down and rest. Scarecrow cringed at the coughing, hacking, and sneezing going on around him.

"Does that answer your question, soldier?" Scarecrow asked waving his hands around.

The soldier sat down trying to catch his breath, and drank some water. Scarecrow thought he spotted specks of blood in his hand.

"Yes, sire," he breathed.

Scarecrow immediately took over the company, and much to the relief of the sick captain.

"We will rest for a while longer. Then we move. I just need to get into Emerald City. I will be immediately recognized. I want you all to still see the queen as ordered. I will need you all healthy," Scarecrow ordered.

The company agreed.

….

Scarecrow stayed at the back of the company when the soldiers were finally strong enough to move again.

Scarecrow had to support a few of them along the way, and didn't know if they would make it. The company was practically crawling when they finally got to Emerald City.

He had to act ill to as the gates opened for them. He looked around and took in his surroundings. What he saw was making him sick, and knew time of was really running out. He looked up to see wings flapping in the wind along the tower. It was Boren, and it was just as he expected. He was guarding the tower.

The gates closed behind him as the company was in the city, and Scarecrow looked around. Ozma may have closed off the tunnels outside Emerald City, but he knew they were still open within.

Another high-ranking officer came to greet them, and Scarecrow knew he was healthy, because he wasn't moving with any issues.

Scarecrow had to slip away before he was noticed. The soldier by his side coughed, but gave Scarecrow a nod. Scarecrow knew Emerald City like the back of his hand.

As the General started his inspection, Scarecrow spotted an open door at one of the businesses within the courtyard.

The soldier and him exchanged looks, and the soldier began to cough, and then the rest of them began to join in. One of them fell on the General who was distracted. Even more soldiers that were healthy came running over to see what the ruckus was.

Scarecrow began to back up, and was hunched over like the rest of them. Then he turned and began to move.

He made it through the door, and looked around. Then he spotted the little girl lying on a bed.

Her child eyes widened in fear, and uncertainty at him. She began to sit up and scream, but only a small sound came out, and she began to cough.

When she was done, she wanted to get up and run, but she was too weak.

Scarecrow walked over to her and covered her mouth, and said in a whisper. "Shhhh…I won't hurt you. Where is your mother?"

The little girl with the red hair shook her head.

Scarecrow looked around as a red haired woman came out of another room, but was holding the door.

She looked up and her blue eyes widened in fear, and she began to scream, but then stopped dead in her tracks as she recognized Scarecrow.

She then looked around, and hurried to close the door as fast as her body could let her, and she smiled. "Welcome home, your highness!"

The woman began to tear up, and Scarecrow shook his head for her to keep quiet.

"If I let her go, will she cry?"

The woman weakly made her way over to her shaking daughter, and spoke softly to her.

Scarecrow felt good enough to let her go, as the woman took her daughter in her arms and rocked her.

Scarecrow felt a twinge of his own lost son at that moment, but had to put it aside.

"How is everything here?" He finally asked.

"It has been horrible, your grace," the woman said tearing up. "She keeps us alive, but barely. There are those who did not make it, and more are dying everyday."

"Is it just military who are healthy?" He asked looking out of the window.

The woman shook her head, and said, "Most inside of the castle are still healthy, but not us."

"How many can fight?"

"Not sure, sire," she said rocking her daughter to sleep.

"I heard they have Dorothy," she said standing to look out of the window.

Scarecrow nodded. "I need to get to the tunnels on the west side. Do you have something to disguise me? Preferably with a hood?"

The woman nodded and made her way to her bedroom. She produced some blacksmith's clothes and a cloak.

"Are you going to break this spell, sire" She asked handing him the clothing.

"That's what I am here for," he said reassuringly.

"You should have challenged her," the woman suddenly said and the gasped at her outburst.

She kneeled down a little and said, "Forgive me, Scarecrow. We are all just frustrated."

He stood the woman up again, and after another coughing fit, he said, "I know. I will take full responsibility for this. I want to make this right for Oz."

She began to cry and Scarecrow hugged her. "I lost my father."

Scarecrow comforted her as much as he could, and then she told him her father's name, and Scarecrow felt the rage inside him again. Her father had been a good friend of his.

"I hope Dorothy is all right," she commented as Scarecrow came out of the bedroom a moment later in her father's clothes.

"Me too," Scarecrow said lowly.

Scarecrow was shocked at not only how quiet Oz was, but also how quiet Emerald City now was. Everyone was too sick to do anything.

"I need you do something for me, Shanna," Scarecrow said to her.

Shanna nodded and answered, "Anything."

"Do you think you have the strength to create a distraction?"

Scarecrow reached into his pocket and brought out two small bags.

"You know that black powder the wizard likes to blow things up with?"

Shanna's eyes fixed on the bags. "I remember, yes."

"Plant them in some hay, and light it," Scarecrow said smiling as he spotted a small empty stable nearby.

Luckily, it was empty.

Shanna took the bags from him, and said, "Yes, your highness."

"Make sure it is not close to your house," he warned.

She nodded as eyed them. "Is this sorcery?"

Scarecrow smiled. "You could say that."

….

Credit- Song is Cities in Dust by Siouxie And The Banshees