Luke breathed heavily as he stopped and sat on the side of the road. Trevor sat next to him, panting hard. They had been walking for hours and it looked like they weren't even close to the Emerald city. They had passed grassy fields, forests, and were now passing a large cornfield, but no sign of a city anywhere. Trevor put a paw on his leg and whined. "I know Trevor, I'm tired too." Luke sighed.

He hoped this Wizard wasn't as far as Claire said; he had to get back as soon as possible. It looked like it was pretty late in the day, almost twilight. The Professor and Emmy were no doubt looking for him by now. He hoped that his absence didn't disrupt any plans they might have had with Randall, Angela and Henry. Luke sighed and buried his face in his arms while drawing his knees to his chest; he shouldn't have snuck out like that.

He was regretting leaving the manor with every passing second. What kind of gentleman got jealous from his mentor spending time with his old friends? He deserved a chance to catch up with them, especially with Randall having been gone for eighteen years. He had to get back...he had to get back and apologize to the Professor, and his friends too. If he even could get back…

"You seem a bit down, what's wrong?"

Luke's head shot up and looked around. He got up, but no one was in sight. "That's weird…" he muttered. "I could've sworn I heard something."

Trevor suddenly barked and Luke turned to the dog's offender. The dog was barking at an old scarecrow that was propped on a pole in the cornfield a few yards from them. "That thing talked! I know it did!" Was what Luke could make out from the dog's frantic barks.

He shook his head, "Don't be silly Trevor, scarecrows can't talk."

"Well, you're clearly not from around here." Luke's head shot up and looked at the scarecrow again. Sure enough, the scarecrow was blinking and smiling down at him from his pole.

The scarecrow was wearing a ragged black shirt and pants, with a black pointy hat on his head and a yellow bandana around his neck. Straw protruded from his sleeves and hat, but Luke could make out some dark red hair under his hat. But the strangest thing was that the scarecrow had a pair of glasses on his face. Since when did scarecrows need glasses?

The scarecrow looked around, and then back at Luke, who was still staring at him. "What? Do I have somthing on my face?" he asked.

Luke backed away and shakily pointed at the straw man. "Y-Y-You...you can talk!" he exclaimed.

"Of course I can!" The scarecrow said as if it were obvious. "Have you really never seen a scarecrow before?"

"Not one that can talk." Luke answered.

The scarecrow crossed his arms, a curious look on his face. "You must come from a strange place." he said. "What's your name?"

"Uh, Luke, Luke Triton." Luke answered, tipping his cap, feeling a bit odd that he was talking to a scarecrow of all things. "Um, how are you?"

The scarecrow grinned, "My name's Lando." he said. "And as for how I'm doing...I guess very uncomfortable comes to mind." he said, grimacing at the pole behind him.

Luke felt a pang of sympathy; it couldn't be fun sitting up on a pole all day just staring at nothing. "Can't you get down?" Luke asked.

Lando snorted, "I wish; you have no idea how many times I've tried to get off this bloody thing."

"Well, maybe I can help you." Luke said. He climbed over the fence and walked through the corn towards Lando and went behind the pole. "Just tell me what to do."

"Really?" Lando asked. "You'd help me down?"

Luke nodded, though Lando couldn't see. "Of course; a gentleman always helps someone in need." he said.

"Thanks mate." Lando said happily. "If you unwrap the wire behind me, that should do the trick."

"Got it." Luke said, and set to work. He carefully unwound and untangled the thick wire and smiled to himself. If the Professor were here, this would no doubt remind him of a puzzle. He squinted as the wire came a bit more loose. "I think I've almost got it." he said, sticking his tongue out in concentration.

"Well, don't hold back, I need to mo-aaaargh!" Lando slid right off the pole and tumbled into the cornfield.

Luke yelped and ran towards him, "I'm sorry, are you okay?"

Lando waved his hand and got to his feet, "Don't worry about me; perks of being a scarecrow: you can't be hurt easily." He then shuddered. "Unless there's fire around." Lando stretched and jumped the fence to the yellow brick road. "Freedom at last! It never felt so good!" Luke followed him and Lando looked down at him, reminding Luke how short he was compared to him. "That reminds me, what's a kid like you doing out here all by yourself?" he asked.

"I'm going to see the Wizard." Luke answered.

Lando flinched. "The Wizard? You mean the great Wizard of Oz?" he asked.

Luke nodded, "I came here by accident; Claire, the witch from the north, told me that the Wizard might be able to help me get back home." he explained.

Lando looked very intrigued and knelt down so he was at Luke's eye level, "Do you think...I could come along with you?" he asked.

"To see the Wizard?" Luke asked. "Why?"

Lando sighed, "Well, way back when, my creator forgot something pretty vital when he was making me." he said. "I...don't have a brain." he said sheepishly.

Luke was taken aback. "You don't?" he asked.

"Nope." Lando answered, knocking on his soft temple, "Nothing but straw and hay up here."

Luke looked at the ground in thought. He couldn't help but take pity on the scarecrow. "Well...if the Wizard can get me home, I'm sure he can give you a brain." Luke said, smiling at him. "And it would be nice to have someone to travel with."

Trevor let out a few barks that translated into "What am I, chopped kibble?" but Luke ignored him as his smile faded. The threat that Anton made was making itself known in his consciousness. "But...I don't know if you'd want to be around me." he said. "The witch Anton is after me because I took his ruby shoes," Luke gestured to his feet, "So I don't think it would be safe to travel with me."

Lando scoffed, "Oh please, unless there's fire involved, I'm not afraid of anything!" he said bravely. He placed a gloved hand on Luke's head, "But even if there is fire on this trip, I'll still go with you."

"Really?" Luke asked.

"No risk, no glory; that's what I always say." Lando said. "We'll both get to the Wizard, witch or no witch."

Luke couldn't help but feel touched by Lando's words. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something about him seemed so familiar...if he could just remember. "Thanks Lando." he said sincerely.

Lando sprang to his feet, "Alright then; we're off to see the Wizard!" he exclaimed. Lando's excitement seemed to fill Luke with energy, getting rid of any tiredness he felt before. "C'mon, let's go!" he said, and the two continued down the yellow brick road with Trevor right behind them.

I never thought I'd have to use Japanese names for characters! It's kinda fun! X3