Disclaimer, you know.
Meanwhile in Candy County Dorothy and Alex were enjoying a rather nice picnic with The China princess and Marshall Mallow. Dorothy and Alex had eaten a few sandwiches before Dorothy was completely distracted by beauty of the candy flower meadow they were in. the flowers were made out of what looked like ribbon candies. Each one had a certain fruity scent to them. The China Princess giggled and as she watched Dorothy become entranced by the flowers.
"What's wrong with her?" Alex asked curiously.
"Nothing's wrong, those flowers have a bit of a hypnotic fruity scent." The china princess said picking one and sniffing it before taking a bite out of it.
"Alex, why don't you try a flower?" Marshall offered.
Alex nodded picked one. He took a sniff. This one had a cherry scent to it. He then took a bite. It tasted like cherry as well but he wasn't sure what was so good about it. Though he never really had a taste for fruit flavored candies. He then laid down on the picnic blanket next to Dorothy and snapped his fingers in front of her. Dorothy blinked a few times and shook her head. She then looked at Alex confused for a moment.
"You were getting hypnotized by those flowers, they don't taste that bad though, and why don't you try one?" Alex said picking a yellow one for her.
Dorothy smiled and took a bite out of it. She then turned over so she was resting on her back and sighed.
"It's so peaceful here, but still, I'm at a bit of an unease." Dorothy said looking over at the scepter which was floating close by.
"Quite right too, you should always on high alert." Marshall Mallow replied.
"Thanks Marshall, it's just that it's been weeks since we've heard from the jester." Dorothy said taking another sandwich.
"Dorothy, don't worry about him until he starts showing up again." The china princess replied.
"China princess, He said that he wouldn't bother me again until after I recovered, and now I have recovered, so he shall return." Dorothy said.
Alex placed a hand on Dorothy's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. He then pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time.
"Oh dear, we've been here for nearly five hours, it's nearly five o'clock." Alex said closing his watch.
"Oh wow, we should really get packing, we told Glinda we would be back before sunset." The china princess said.
"We'll never make it before then at this point dear, but we did promise to escort these two back to the city with us." Marshall Mallow said.
The china princess nodded and then the four of them worked together to pack up the picnic. Once everything was packed up they made their way towards the town.
"We left Tugg at the munchkin river by china country and Dorothy before you ask no, you may not use the slippers to go on ahead, Glinda made us promise to escort you back personally." China princess said.
Dorothy immediately shut her mouth and sighed. Soon they were making their way towards china country.
"You know I've never been to this part of Oz, it looks beautiful." Alex said.
"I know, remind me once this is all over to show you around at some point." Dorothy said as they reached the yellow brick road.
Alex smiled and chuckled. They continued to walk along until they reached china country. They were greeted with fanfare by the guards.
"It is a pleasure to see you all again, but I'm afraid we really must be going." Dorothy said as the guards saluted her.
Just then they heard the clocks strike five as the sun began setting. It began to get extremely windy out all of a sudden and the scepter began glowing rather brightly.
"Sunset, we're too late" The china princess said worriedly.
"Too late for what?" Dorothy asked curiously.
"Glinda found a spell that would give us complete protection until sundown of everyday, that's why the jester didn't bother us, it's not safe to be out, the jester sends out his monkeys to shake things up a bit, I mean look at my country, it's been cracked and repaired so many times since he promised not to bother you, and it's the reason those flowers in candy county have such an hypnotic scent." The princess said gesturing around as the china butler came up to them.
"Milady, if you would like there is a room in your palace that you can keep Dorothy and her friend in." The butler offered
"Please show them to it, Dorothy, don't use the slippers or the scepter from now on unless it's absolutely necessary, the jester is growing more powerful no matter what you hear neither of you are to leave the confines of palace, you may explore if you'd like but you are not to leave, I don't care if you can take care of yourself, it's too dangerous. Am I understood?" the china princess asked sternly.
"Yes Mam." Dorothy said backing away from the china princess's change in tone.
"Yes your majesty." Alex said.
Dorothy then sighed and she and Alex followed the butler to the gigantic china palace that had been built to contain both the china princess and marshal mallow. The palace was made out of beautifully crafted piece of china. Dorothy was amazed at the beauty of the surrounding walls. Dorothy and Alex were led to a beautiful bedroom that looked like it was made for Ellie or Glinda given the fact that it was completely pink except for the furniture which was plain white.
"The princess has given orders that you are not to leave the palace until day break, enjoy yourselves in any way you see fit but do not leave the palace." The butler said before walking out.
Dorothy sighed and looked at the scepter. The red haze had returned to it but the scepter was beginning to dim. Dorothy sighed and sat down on the bed. Once again she felt defenseless, if they were being truthful and the jester was indeed growing more powerful they were in trouble. But that also meant they were hiding something from her something they didn't want her to know.
Meanwhile at the jester's hideout.
"Well, hello beautiful, Dorothy gale you are looking so much better now, but you are now frightened, NIKKO!" the jester then shouted.
The leader of his troops came in and saluted.
"Take your army to China country and rattle things up, create as much damage as you can but harm no one, just destroy some buildings and such." The jester said.
Nikko saluted and screeched loudly before flying away.
"Well then, Dorothy Gale, let's see how long you can resist leaving your protection, meanwhile the final legs of my plan are nearly complete and soon, war will begin." He said cackling wickedly.
Meanwhile back in China country.
"Well keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't leave, even if the jester does send an attack." Glinda said from the mirror.
"We know Glinda, I've set guards at the doors and hallways leading to the room that you've stayed in." The china princess said.
"She's not going to be happy now that she knows the jester's power has been growing." Glinda said.
"Yes but you said you kept it from her so that she wouldn't stress out." The princess replied.
"I know what I said, but she's still not going to be happy." Glinda said.
"I'll put some more guards in the hall right away then." The China princess said.
Glinda nodded and smiled. However back in the guest room Dorothy was sitting on the floor with her head leaned up against the bed. Alex was sitting next to her slumped in the same position. Dorothy was upset that no one told about the jester's growing power she had set the slippers and the scepter to the side.
"Come on Dorothy, cheer up, if it makes you feel any better they didn't tell me either." Alex said.
"But they've broken their promise to me, again." Dorothy said
"Dorothy." Alex said sighing.
"Alex, make sure I don't do anything stupid." Dorothy said leaning against his shoulder.
"I'll hold you down if you try to run, but that's all I'll do." He said.
Little did Alex know, he would have to hold her back with much more restraint.
Well Dorothy, what have you gotten yourself into? Also quick authors note, the foreign thing was the kissing on both cheeks, it's a French thing.
Me: Let's see, rope, net, cage, fan-girl trap.
Dorothy: What's with the hunting equipment?
Me: Top secret rescue mission, see you in the next chapter.