Insert my usual disclaimer here, kinda odd I still have to put it there.
Three days later.
"Dorothy, would you like to answer the question for once?" Mr. Pryce said referring to the math problem on the chalk board.
Dorothy wrote some equation on the board and tried to solve it. It took her a few minutes before she finally came up with an answer.
"Um… doing it out I got Forty-two, is that right?" Dorothy asked.
"Correct, by the way, where's Aislynn today?" he asked curiously referring to the empty desk.
"She wasn't feeling well today." Dorothy said.
"Can you bring her homework home?" he asked.
"Sure thing Mr. Pryce." Dorothy said as the bell rang.
"Well see you all tomorrow, enjoy your early dismissal." Mr. Pryce said as everyone ran out of the room.
Dorothy looked to her next to her and saw Ellie's empty seat. Ellie and Aislynn were sitting in for Dorothy at the war council. She wished she could be there but she was still being in her punishment. Alex had taken to making paper darts and throwing them at Dorothy's feet. She had taken off her flats again and put them in her satchel. She took them out and slid them on. She then got up, grabbed the scepter and walked to Mr. Pryce's desk.
"Here's her work, she really is a brilliant kid." He said getting up.
"I'll tell her you said that." Dorothy said putting the papers in her satchel.
"Dorothy, your uncle called, he and your aunt are busy, he asked me to drive you home." Mr. Alistair said looking at Donna who was also still in the room.
"Thanks Mr. Alistair, oh and I have a message from my aunt, the tractors tailpipe is blocked by something." Dorothy said tightening her grip on the scepter and walking out of the room with him.
"I'll see what I can do about that when we get there, I noticed Ellie and Aislynn were out today as was Mr. Upland, I'm assuming Oz?" he asked as they walked out the school.
"War council, everyone seems prepared for all-out war, getting a bit chilly out, makes me glad the first harvest is Saturday." Dorothy said smiling.
"Same here, anyways, come on." He said as they got to his car.
Dorothy opened the passenger door, took off her satchel and got in. soon they were at the gale farm. Dorothy got out of the car and ran up to the farmhouse to find her Aunt and uncle on the roof fixing a loose shingle. Dorothy laughed and they waved.
"Lunch is on the table sweetheart, thanks for driving her Mr. Alistair!" Em shouted.
"When you're done dear would you mind checking the horseshoes on the horse?" Henry asked.
"Sure thing uncle henry." Dorothy said walking into the house.
Dorothy sighed and laughed as Toto ran up to her. She picked him up and walked over to the dining room table. She noticed there was a small inscription next to the plate that her sandwich and apple were on.
"Teak's hardwood furniture and house furnishings." Dorothy read to herself taking a bite of the sandwich "I wonder if it's owned by Alex's parents?" Dorothy asked herself.
"Dorothy! The sheriff is here, apparently the jester has been spotted!" Em shouted.
Dorothy choked and quickly got up. She and Toto ran into the house.
"Auntie Em please tell me for once you're just trying to keep me on my toes." Dorothy said, but her heart drop when she saw the sheriff and a family she recognized from town holding their crying child.
"She hasn't stopped crying, we've done all we could to pacify her but we saw a strange man in a jesters outfit in our house. He stole some of our lawn ornaments and vanished." The man said.
"Must be trying something new." Dorothy said.
"That's what I said." The sheriff said wiping his brow and covering his ears from the crying child.
"Here let me try." Dorothy said holding out her arms.
"If you think it will help." The mother said handing her baby to Dorothy
Dorothy took the child and cradled her in her arms. She walked carefully back over to the porch and sat down. She looked at the child in the face and smiled.
"Shh, it's okay little one, he can't hurt you." She said in a calm voice.
She smiled as this seemed to attract the child's attention, she then began to hum the tune of 'Hush little baby' and the child gradually stopped crying. Soon she was asleep in Dorothy's arms breathing calmly. The man and women sighed in relief. Alex then ran up in a panic.
"Put my!...Put my little sister down." He said going into whisper.
Dorothy handed the child back to the woman."
"So, you must be Mrs. Teak." Dorothy said smiling.
"I see you guessed that, and you're Dorothy gale, I'm amazed that you managed to stop her from crying, how did you do it?" she asked curiously.
"I don't know, it just sort of, came to me I guess." Dorothy said shrugging.
"Alex, don't just stand there with your mouth open you'll catch flies." Mr. Teak said.
"Father, this girl is a menace, she has made a fool of me…" he started to say before Mr. Alistair walked over and cut him off.
"Because you choose to make a fool of your self does not mean that it is entirely her fault, and might I remind you if it weren't for her the jester's attack would have hit you." He said.
"You know, I really love you sometimes Alexander, why don't you come over for dinner more often?" Mrs. Teak asked curiously.
"Because Donna's parents are constantly buying things in bulk, you and fenny got dad's ability to be successful with business, I got mom's ability to lead and constantly worry, why do you think my wife and I don't have any kids?" Mr. Alistair said nervously.
Dorothy was now dumbstruck, Donna and Alex were cousins? To her it made sense and all, she always seemed to defend Alex and Mr. .Alistair did seem to have some sort of control over him. Dorothy however was snapped out of thought when Alex walked over to her.
"You about to cry again? You were making a strange face." Alex asked curiously.
"No, I was just thinking about something, never knew that you and Donna were related." Dorothy said.
"I try to keep that a secret, but the secrets out now that you know, I suppose you're going to get back at me and tell everyone?" he asked sounding defeated.
Ellie and Aislynn then appeared behind Dorothy. Aislynn lost her but caught herself on Dorothy. They giggled and then they saw Alex, with his jaw hanging open. Dorothy reached her hand over and pushed his chin up so his mouth closed.
"What is HE doing here?" Ellie asked angrily.
"Long story Ellie, and Alex." Dorothy said.
"Sorry what?" he asked.
"Your secret's safe with us, don't worry." Dorothy said giggling.
"And you think I trust you?" He asked.
"You think we trust you?" Ellie retorted.
"Ellie!" Dorothy said gasping and hitting Ellie on the shin with the back of her hand.
"Dorothy! He's a bully!" Ellie said.
"Ellie, things won't get any better if we're always at each other's necks." Dorothy said.
"Fair enough, but don't think this will change the way I act in school." He said.
"I can live with that, I wouldn't expect better." Dorothy said chuckling.
"Fair enough, out of curiosity, what allowed your friends to just appear there?" he asked.
"I'd tell you, but you should ask your cousin, it will give you bedtime story to tell your baby sister." Dorothy smiling.
"Who's his cousin?" Aislynn asked curiously.
"Donna." Dorothy said making them gasp.
"I'm so sorry for her." Ellie said.
Dorothy took off one of her flats and hit Ellie in the shin again with it.
"Ellie be nice, this is my home, and we show hospitality." Dorothy said.
"Fine." Ellie said looking at him and sticking out her tongue.
Alex laughed loudly and walked back over to his parents. As soon as they were off the farmland Dorothy told Ellie and Aislynn why they were here.
"We know the jester was spotted here, we just didn't know it had anything to do with the Teaks" Ellie said sighing.
"How was the war council?" Dorothy said getting up and walking back into the house to grab the apple she didn't get to eat.
"It was nice, sorry you had to miss it, though Glinda's face turned a very funny reddish pink color when she found out the jester showed up here in Kansas." Aislynn said giggling.
"I wish hadn't gotten punished." Dorothy said looking at the scepter.
"What's your chore for today?" Ellie asked.
"Checking the horse shoes on the horse, also Ace your homework's in my satchel." Dorothy said finishing off her apple.
"That's nice, where's your horse brush?" Aislynn asked.
"Why?" Dorothy asked slyly.
"I like grooming the horse." Aislynn said going to Dorothy's satchel and pulling out her homework.
"Aislynn you've done it several times when you got the chance." Dorothy said.
"Yea ace, I think you need a break." Ellie said.
"But its fun, and it keeps Dorothy company." Aislynn said as Dorothy got up, grabbed the scepter and walked over to the back door/
Ellie and Aislynn looked at each other and shrugged. Aislynn set her homework on the table and sighed.
"Should we go after her?" Aislynn asked curiously.
"Of course." Ellie said as they ran out the back door after her.
When they got to the barn they found Dorothy sitting on a stool horse hoof in one hand hammer in the other. She tapped down the horse shoe and jiggled it a few times. As it didn't move this time she smiled in relief.
"Only one was loose this time." Dorothy said.
"You don't let him out that often." Ellie said.
"Not my choice." Dorothy said.
"Fair enough." Ellie replied petting the horse's mane
"Dorothy! Have you checked the horse shoes yet!" came the voice of uncle henry.
Dorothy got up, put down the hammer, grabbed the scepter and walked to the barn door.
"Yes Uncle Henry, Do you need something!?" Dorothy shouted.
"No, just making sure you did your chore." Came his voice.
"Kay!" Dorothy shouted.
"So Dorothy, how was school?" Ellie asked.
"Eh, I had paper darts being thrown at me by Alex." Dorothy said shrugging.
"Dorothy! Go inside and help auntie Em start making dinner!" came the voice of uncle henry.
"Okay!" Dorothy shouted tightening her grip on the scepter and walking out of the barn.
"So Alex was a jerk as usual?" Ellie said following after her.
"Yes, but..." Dorothy said trailing off
"But what?" Aislynn asked
"Never mind, you two have fun." Dorothy said walking back into the house
As Dorothy walked in she saw her aunt washing some lettuce in the sink.
"Dorothy be a dear and grab the knife I use for cutting vegetables." Em asked
Dorothy nodded and walked over to the knife rack, she pulled out a large serrated one and handed it to her aunt.
"What you making for supper?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Ham and salad, the ham is in the oven already." Em said.
Dorothy walked over to the oven and opened it a little, she was hit with a blast of warm air and the smell of cooking ham. She sighed and set down the scepter,
"What's the occasion?" Dorothy asked curiously
"I invited the Uplands over for dinner, go tell Ellie to get washed up, her parents and sister will be here in an hour or two." Em said chopping up the lettuce.
"Auntie Em, how did you off all people get Glinda to come over for dinner?" Dorothy asked gasping.
"I have my ways." Em said.
Dorothy sighed and walked back out.
Meanwhile at the jester's hideout.
The jester was laughing wickedly looking into the crystal ball.
"Dorothy gale will be a cat in two day's time, and I think it will be funny." He said doing a cartwheel.
"Auntie Em Aislynn wants to know if she will have to help with the first harvest on Saturday." Dorothy said, her voice emitting from the crystal along with some static.
"Enjoy it Dorothy gale, you have a surprise coming your way" He said looking at the pile of lawn ornaments, "and once I finish making that special powder you lawn ornaments will be my first test subjects." He added laughing
The jester then flicked the wand again and the crystal ball switched to the image of Glinda. She was attempting to work her magic to block his spell from spreading out side of munchkin land. He smiled and watched as Alison walked into the room.
"Glinda your working yourself ragged, you need to get some rest." Alison said worriedly.
"Alison, its taking all my power to keep that spell from spreading, every moment that I rest his spell spreads closer to the borders of munchkin land, and if it reaches further I'll be powerless to stop it." Glinda said sadly.
"Glinda, let me take over then, I know the spell, and you know that." Alison said pulling out her book.
"Alison the spell will weaken you, you are too young and are not yet ready to try to cast a spell this powerful." Glinda said sighing.
"Oh Glinda, sweet Glinda, you try so hard to protect our home, but you know it's hopeless in the end." The jester said watching the scene unfold.
"Glinda, I am ready and willing to take that risk, you know that, but you could wind up killing yourself if you keep this up." Alison said.
"Alison you and I both know that I will take any risks to keep the Land of Oz safe, I am worried that it may come down to using 'The Spell'." Glinda said in a worried tone.
"Glinda, you and I both know that spell is forbidden, using it is the most dangerous thing that there is." Alison said sternly.
"What Spell!?" the jester asked angrily.
"Alison, it's forbidden to the point where it shall only be used if the land is in so much danger that no other spell can be used to protect it." Glinda said getting up and walking over to a large, ancient looking, leather bound book resting on a pedestal
"Glinda have some sense, what would your father say? What would your sister say? Or your cousin the witch of the south? Glinda, none of them would agree to ever let you use it!" Alison shouted.
"Alison, the spell can be used twice with only the risk of weakening me to a great extent, I would be unconscious for days, the third time would kill me, and I have not yet used this spell so I am in no risk yet." Glinda said opening the book and searching through it.
"Fine! Then use it! Just not tonight, you have dinner with the gales remember?" Alison asked walking over and closing the book,
It was then that the jester realized what the book was.
"The Grimmerie? Oh Glinda we are being bad now aren't we?" the jester asked chuckling wickedly.
He then did a few backflips and slid the wand up his sleeve, the crystal went dark and he walked out of the room. As he did he looked back at the lawn ornaments and smiled.
"Soon, very soon." He said cackling.
Later at the gale residence.
There was a knock on the door. Dorothy ran over and opened it.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Upland, dinner is almost ready, I'll go get Ellie." Dorothy said running back to her room.
She didn't get too far before Glinda appeared right in front of her. She was now in a light blue dress that matched her pink one in style. She smiled and hugged Dorothy tightly. Dorothy looked into Glinda's eyes. She didn't like what she saw, pain and sorrow, once more made themselves known in her eyes. But now there was more, she frowned for a bit then side stepped around Glinda. She then walked to her room and opened the door.
"Are they here yet?" Aislynn asked.
Dorothy nodded and picked up the scepter which had been leaning by the bedroom door. Ellie and Aislynn then got up and walked out of the room around Dorothy. Dorothy walked over to the bed and sat down on it. She then picked up of Toto and held him so they could make eye contact.
"Oh Toto, what are we going to do?" Dorothy asked taking Toto and the scepter and walking out.
When she got to the dining room she found Glinda looking at her aunt and uncle sternly as they recounted the events of what had happened earlier. Ellie turned around and saw Dorothy, she then motioned for her to come over and gave her a sad look. Dorothy sighed and walked over as her aunt got up to retrieve dinner. Dorothy sat down in her usual chair at the table and looked at everyone. The mood immediately lifted from one of frustration to light and happy.
"So, Dorothy, My father tells me you have been doing well in school so far." Glinda said smiling.
"Yes I have, thank you for mentioning it." Dorothy set setting Toto in her lap.
"It's my pleasure dear, anyways, your aunt was telling me the jester has been stealing lawn ornaments, why do you think that is?" Glinda asked her curiously.
"I don't know, do you have any ideas?" Dorothy asked curiously
"Sort of, but I really hope I'm wrong about it." Glinda said.
"What is it?" Dorothy asked.
"I'd rather not speak of it, for the magic I speak of is forbidden in all form." Glinda said shuddering.
Dorothy was worried, if Glinda was afraid then it wasn't good.
"So Mr. Upland, how's life as a teacher?" henry asked quickly trying to change the subject
"Oh its good, very good, I missed it today for the council though." Mr. Upland said chuckling.
Henry opened his mouth to say something but there was a knock on the door. Henry got up and walked quickly walked into the next room. They soon heard the sound of door opening.
"Oh, Officer Grey, do come in." they heard him say.
After a few seconds the sheriff walked in followed by Dorothy's uncle.
"Good evening officer Grey." Dorothy said looking nervous.
"Hello Dorothy, Mr. Gale, Dorothy is needed at the teaks residence, the jester was spotted at their house again, and once more their child won't stop crying." Officer grey said.
Both Dorothy and Glinda shot out of their seats. Dorothy tightened her grip on the scepter and looked at Glinda.
"Glinda please don't worry about it, I can take care of it." Dorothy said getting up and walking over to the sheriff.
"What did the jester take this time?" Glinda asked curiously and getting up as well.
"He was in their garden taking some clippings from their Alder berry bush." he said.
"That's strange, is there any magic that require elderberries?" Ellie asked looking at her sister.
"Not that I'm aware of, I've never heard of the plant." Glinda said walking over.
Dorothy was about to add something to the conversation when her aunt emerged from the kitchen carrying a large ham on an even larger plate and set it on the table. She saw the sheriff and gasped.
"Oh, Officer Grey, what brings you here?" Em asked curiously
"The jester was spotted again, same place, they request Dorothy be brought there asap." He replied.
"Why don't you join us for dinner first?" Em said offering him a seat.
"Sorry Mrs. Gale but I'm on duty, besides my wife doesn't like me eating while I'm on duty." He said taking off his hat.
"Will you be long?" Henry asked curiously.
"Maybe a good ten or twenty minutes, the house is just on the other side of town." He said.
"Dorothy, if you want we can wait for you." Mrs. Upland said smiling.
"No, please don't wait for me, I'll just eat when I get back, that's all." Dorothy said.
"Officer, Grey was it? If it's alright with you, I would like to come as well." Glinda requested.
"Doesn't matter to me mam, but we really must be going now." Officer grey said turning around and walking out.
Dorothy nodded and took Glinda's hand. They followed Officer grey out of the house and to his truck. Dorothy looked up at Glinda and frowned. Soon they were all in Officer Grey's truck and driving to the teak residence. They sat in silence until they got there. The house was similar to theirs in style and design but next to it was their furniture store. He pulled up to the front walk and both Dorothy and Glinda quickly got out of the truck and ran up the door. Dorothy winced at the sound of hearing the sound of crying coming from the inside of the house. The sheriff ran up and knocked on the door. The door opened and they were greeted by Mr. Teak. Glinda explained who she was to him and then Mr. Teak lead Dorothy into the living room to where Mrs. Teak was cradling her child in her arms, the child was screaming loudly, she was scared and frightened as her mother was. Dorothy walked over and Mrs. Teak looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"That man, there's something about him that scares us all." She said.
Dorothy sighed and set the scepter down. She then held out her arms to receive the child. Mrs. Teak shuddered and carefully handed her child to Dorothy. She took the child in her arms and carefully cradled her. The child gradually began to stop crying and grew quiet. Dorothy smiled and handed the baby girl back to Mrs. Teak.
"There, maybe now you can try and get her to sleep, what's her name by the way?" Dorothy asked curiously wondering why she hadn't asked earlier.
"Her name is Anabella, and Dorothy thank you for coming, you seem to be the only one who can pacify her if the jester shows up." Mrs. Teak said setting Annabella in her playpen.
"d-d-d-d" Annabella started to stutter out.
Dorothy and Mrs. Teak looked at the child in surprise.
"How old is she?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Almost a year old." Mrs. Teak said tonelessly and looking at her daughter a bit shocked.
"D-d-d-Dorothy." she finally managed to stutter out.
"Oh my God! Her first word, Dorothy, your name my dear was her first word!" Mrs. Teak said excitedly as Mr. Teak and Glinda ran into the room followed by the sheriff.
"We heard a commotion, is everything alright?" Officer grey asked curiously.
Dorothy was about to say something when she heard Annabella shaking her playpen. They all turned to face her and the small child pointed at Dorothy.
"Dorothy!" Annabella said sternly.
"Her first word!" Mr. Teak said as the clock struck six.
"Oh, time to go pick up Alex." Mrs. Teak said reaching for her coat.
"Dear, don't worry, I'll go get him, and you relax, Dorothy, thank you." Mr. Teak said happily grabbing his own coat off a nearby table and running out.
Dorothy smiled and walked back over to the scepter, picking it up she looked at Glinda and smiled. The phone then rang and Glinda told Mrs. Teak she would get it. As Glinda left the room, the sheriff looked out the window at his truck and noticed that his radio was blinking, he gasped and ran out to it. The sound of the phone dropping was heard from the other room. Glinda then ran in, looking as though she was panicking.
"Dorothy, that was your aunt and uncle, Dorothy, I want you to listen to me, and take these as orders!" Glinda said sternly.
Dorothy stood there speechless, nothing really worried Glinda, but if Glinda was worried then she knew she should be worried. Only one question popped into her head.
"Please explain to me why first!?" she asked concerned
"The jester was spotted at your farmhouse, you are to stay here until we come back and give you an all clear, is that okay with you?" Glinda asked trying to finish the sentence as quickly as possible.
Dorothy stood there speechless, she felt upset, and this just wasn't fair, not this time. Dorothy saw the sheriff's truck drive away. Dorothy began to feel faint. She soon felt herself being sat down in a chair and a cup of water placed in her hand a few minutes later.
"Dorothy?" She heard Mrs. Teak finally say.
"W-wha-what? Oh, sorry, I'm just a bit shocked." Dorothy said taking a sip from the cup.
"I called your aunt and uncle, they're sending your friends to stay with some friends, did you know your apparently your uncle owns a gun?" Mrs. Teak asked.
"Call them back and tell them only to try and take a shot if he attacks first." Dorothy said.
"Good idea, would you mind watching Annabella for me while I call them?" She asked referring to her daughter in the playpen.
Dorothy nodded as Mrs. Teak quickly walked out of the room. Dorothy then looked down at the child who was trying to get her attention.
"Dorothy?" she asked whacking a small fist on her playpen.
Dorothy smiled and leaned over to the child. She then tapped the child playfully on the nose making her giggle. Dorothy smiled and got up. She then bent over and picked up Annabella and cradled her in her arms. The small child giggled and playfully tugged at one of Dorothy's pigtails. Dorothy winced a bit and smiled.
"Easy Annabella." Dorothy said as the tiny child tugged at her hair giggling.
"Awe how cute! She really likes you Dorothy." Mrs. Teak said walking back into the room.
Dorothy was about to say something when the front door opened and Alex walked pass the living room and up the stairs not even taking notice of Dorothy. That is until he realized and something and they heard a loud thud and him running down the stairs.
"What the heck is SHE doing here!?" he asked sounding quite concerned.
"Alex!" Came the voice of Mr. Teak as he stormed into the house.
"Dorothy will be staying here for a few hours, or until she gets the all clear to go home, the jester returned here and then left, Dorothy showed up, stopped her from crying, and then the jester showed up at her house, she showed us some hospitality now it's time to show some hospitality back." Mrs. Teak said gritting her teeth.
"Dorothy." Annabella said making Mrs. Teak laugh.
"Oh Great! Now my little sister loves the girl who seems to bring disaster and that dang jester in her wake!" He said storming up the stairs, soon after they heard the sound of a door slamming.
"Well, that went well, Dorothy why don't you go to the kitchen and wash up, I'll fix you something to eat, your aunt said you hadn't eaten yet when we asked Officer grey to bring you here, it's time for Annabella to go to bed anyways." Mrs. Teak said looking at the clock, which now read seven fifteen.
Dorothy smiled and handed Annabella back to Mrs. Teak who carefully carried her up the stairs. Mr. Teak then came in carrying a box full of large bits of wood. Dorothy got up grabbed the scepter and ran over to help him.
"Thanks Dorothy dear, the sheriff met me outside, you may have to stay the night…" Mr. Teak started to say before Alex came running down the stairs and cut him off.
"Father, I will not have stay in this house!" He yelled.
"Alex be quiet your mother is putting Annabella to bed." Mr. Teak said in a whisper.
"Have her stay in the guest room in the shop, but I don't want her in this house." Alex said sternly.
Dorothy was about to cut in but the sheriff ran into the house followed by Glinda who was now carrying a box.
"Dorothy… was he the one that was yelling?" Glinda asked.
"Yes, oh..." Dorothy said as she noticed Alex was amazed at Glinda's beauty.
Dorothy smiled and moved her hand to push Alex's mouth shut. Alex shook his head and turned around.
"It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays." He mumbled to himself.
So I've decided to make this a two parter before first harvest. That's the way the cookie crumbles though I guess.