Disclaimer, you know
Meanwhile at the palace.
The jester was beginning to get quite bored. He was slightly amused by the groups attempt at running from munchkin land but he would get them eventually, even if he had to pick them off one by one. He had positioned the cabinet Dorothy was in so it gave her a perfect few of the crystal. The jester had noticed that orb, in its center, was a light blue glow once more, he knew the people of Oz were a threat to him, but he wouldn't take them all out at once, oh no, he was too crafty for that, he would lay a trap, the first one he would spring would be in three days, on the group of travelers he so wanted to capture. He turned to the puppet of Dorothy and waved the scepter in its direction
"You know Dorothy, for reasons I'm not going to explain, I wish you were here to see this." He said.
"See this." Dorothy found herself replying
The jester chuckled for a moment then decided to take a closer look at Dorothy. He knew there was no possible way, or at least he thought there was no possible way she could have survived the transformation. But now that he thought about it, this puppet seemed different.
"What am I saying? You're of no threat to me in that form." The jester said laughing and walking back to the crystal.
"That form." Dorothy found herself repeating
"That's right, just keep up the mimicking." The jester said.
"Mimicking." Dorothy repeated
"Right, well, keep up the good work, I'm going to go prepare my traps for your friends." The jester said leaving the room.
"Friends." Dorothy said.
The jester smiled and walked out of the room. The door slammed and locked behind him. Dorothy was worried now she couldn't do anything without blowing her cover and most-likely him finishing the job.
Later elsewhere in Oz.
The group walked for several miles stopping every now and again for a water break or to feed the triplets. Towards the evening they stopped and set up camp. Two tents, the one Alex and the group had brought with them when they had left the munchkin city. And the one Terrence had brought with him. As the sun set and they all enjoyed a meal of corn chowder around the campfire Alex found himself ill at ease and excused himself from the group. He went into the tent and lied down on the bed he had chosen. He then picked up Dorothy's satchel and rummaged through it. He pulled out the jar with the dragon in it and set it on the side table next to him. It was then he found what he was looking for, Dorothy's pocket compendium. He flipped through it seeing if there was any information he could find that was useful, finding none he sighed and closed his eyes. Only to be startled moments later by Toto jumping onto the bed, climbing onto his chest and whimpering. Alex opened his eyes and sighed before looking at the dog.
"I know boy, I miss her too, but we'll get her back, I promise." Alex said scratching Toto behind the ear.
Toto let out another whimper and jumped off of Alex. He then walked over to the corner of the tent and curled up into a ball.
"Poor Toto, he's so miserable now that Dorothy's gone." Glinda said walking into the tent.
"I know, it breaks my heart to know that there's a chance none of us will ever see her again either." Alex said pushing himself into a sitting position.
"Alex, don't even talk like that, we just need more time." Glinda said walking over to him.
"Glinda, you said Dorothy was different, sorry to change the subject but it's been irking me, how is she different?" Alex asked curiously.
"Alex, I'll explain later." Glinda said quickly walking out of the tent.
Alex sighed and laid back down on the bed. He then turned to see pockets walking around Toto as if she was trying to cheer him up. Alex sighed and got up, he walked over to Toto and pockets. He sat down next to them and immediately began thinking about Dorothy. All the times she had helped him, were they all for naught now that she was gone? He felt a burning anger welling up inside him. Anger at the jester. But something else that Locasta had said popped into his head. When Dorothy fell ill and the scepter and slippers wouldn't let anyone else move her.
"Love is a promise, one that is really hard to break under most circumstances." He quoted to himself before he got up
He wiped his eyes of the tears and then left the tent. Immediately he noticed that Angela and Cassandra had appeared and were eating with the group. He was tempted to just run away and let himself get captured. But he knew it wouldn't get them anywhere. He simply let out a fake chuckle and joined the rest of them by the fire.
Meanwhile back at the palace.
The jester could be heard laughing wickedly throughout the entire castle it wasn't until he came back into the room with the giant crystal ball which was half light blue and half emerald green. He cackled and immediately the ball began glowing.
"At last, it's time, it can now be used at its full potential!" the jester shouted
"Potential." Dorothy found herself saying.
The jester cackled as immediately the ball began glowing brighter and brighter until energy exploded from it sending a shockwave across the land immediately dark clouds formed over the city and began swirling. Dorothy was really worried now. It was time, and now there was almost nothing that could stop him. At least he didn't know she was still able to control herself or he would be the one who was worried. She was beginning to miss her friends and family but at the same time she felt resentment towards the jester, she couldn't blow her cover yet, this wasn't the time. She was more worried about what the jester had just unleashed.
Well there's a new problem, what has the jester unleashed Oz? Why will it take three days for him to set a trap for any of the others? And will Dorothy ever blow her cover before her friends and family get hurt? Find out in the next chapter