The Woozle-Bug proved himself to be a smart alec. He made remarks and jokes that to him were clever, but annoying to everyone else.

"Still, it is a Joke," the Woggle-Bug firmly declared after making one such joke, "and a Joke derived from a play upon words is considered among educated people to be eminently proper."

"What does that mean?" enquired the Pumpkinhead, stupidly.

"It means, my dear friend," explained the Woggle-Bug, "that our language contains many words having a double meaning; and that to pronounce a joke that allows both meanings of a certain word, proves the joker a person of culture and refinement, who has, moreover, a thorough command of the language."

"I don't believe that," said Tip, plainly; "anybody can make a pun."

"Not so," rejoined the Woggle-Bug, stiffly. "It requires education of a high order. Are you educated, young sir?"

"Not especially." admitted Tip.

"Then you cannot judge the matter. I myself am Thoroughly Educated, and I say that puns display genius. For instance, were I to ride upon this Saw-Horse, he would not only be an animal he would become an equipage. For he would then be a horse-and-buggy."

At this the Scarecrow gave a gasp and the Tinman stopped short and looked reproachfully at the Woggle-Bug. At the same time the Saw-Horse loudly snorted his derision; and even the Pumpkinhead put up his hand to hide the smile which, because it was carved upon his face, he could not change to a frown.

But the Woggle-Bug strutted along as if he had made some brilliant remark, and the Scarecrow was obliged to say: "Well Mr. Woggle-Bug, it is possible for a person to become over-educated. Although I have a high respect for brains, no matter how they may be arranged or classified, I begin to suspect that yours are slightly tangled. In any event, I must beg you to restrain your 'superior education' while in our society."

"We are not very particular," added the Tinman; "and we are exceedingly kind hearted. But if your superior culture gets leaky again—" He did not complete the sentence, but he twirled his gleaming axe so carelessly that the Woggle-Bug looked frightened, and shrank away to a safe distance.

The others marched on in silence, and the Highly Magnified one, after a period of deep thought, said in an humble voice: "I will endeavor to restrain myself."

"That is all we can expect," returned the Scarecrow pleasantly; and good nature being thus happily restored to the party, they proceeded upon their way.

Soon they came upon a village, whose residents joyously welcomed them. Upon hearing of General Jinjur's conquest of the Emerald City, the residents proudly volunteered to help retake it.

When the Wizard had titled Glinda, "The Good", he had a mighty palace built for her in her homeland of Gillikin Country. He had even promoted her cousin Locasta to Governor of Gillikin Country.

It was in that palace Glinda often stayed when visiting her homeland, so that her people didn't think she had abandoned them. It was also in that palace where she learned of General Jinjur's revolt, and the planned counter-revolt.

"Who did you say was accompanying His Majesty?" Glinda asked the messenger who told her the news.

"The Tinman, two boys, a Pumkinhead, and an animated saw-horse."

"What do you know about these boys?"

"One of them, Liir T., is a sorcerer from outside Oz. The other, Tip, used to be the ward of Old Mombi."

"The famous sorceress?"

"Yes, Your Goodness."

Glinda thought for a moment. "How old is Tip?"

"Hard to say. He claims that Mombi cursed him with slow aging when he was five."

Glinda nodded again. She had done a lot of research on Oz's true history since taking the throne. She knew The 'Great' Wizard had stolen the throne from the now deceased King Pastoria, although it had been spun to make him a liberator. What few people knew, was that Pastoria had a daughter named Ozma. The girl had been hidden in some secret place; and by means of a magical trick had also managed to prevent her being discovered. Although Glinda was certain Mombi was behind it.

"And where is Mombi now?"

"Working for Jinjur."

Glinda nodded again. "I must journey to the Emerald City then. But first, I must meet up with His Majesty."

Then Glinda used some magic to locate them. Once she did, she gathered her things and bubbled there.

"Ah, Your Goodness!" Fiyero happily greeted his friend.

"Scarecrow." Glinda greeted, "I came as soon as I could. I must speak to your new companions."

Fiyero suddenly grew nervous. She would surely see the resemblance. "You sure?"

"Yes. I think Tip might know something about Princess Ozma, King Pastoria's long-lost daughter."

"Oh. They're this way." Fiyero lead the sorceress to his son and his family, bracing for the shock.

Glinda couldn't place why her friend would be so nervous about her meeting the boys. That is, until she saw Liir.

"Sweet Oz!" Glinda proclaimed upon seeing the child of her two thought-to-be-dead friends. She slowly approached the dark-haired boy, unable to believe what she was seeing. "Who are you?"

Liir looked at his father, who nodded. "Liir Tigelaar, Your Goodness."

"Your father?"

"Fiyero Tigelaar."

Glinda was shocked. With trembling hands she touched his shoulder. This was one of Fiyero's children. She thought of who his mother might be. With his looks, only one person came to mind. Someone the sorceress tried to deny.

"And your mother?" Glinda asked at last in a whispery voice.

Liir looked at his father again. The Scarecrow gave him a warning look.

"A Munchkin."

Glinda thought of his answer. It had to be Elphaba, but she was long dead.

Giving in to denial, Glinda composed herself. She then turned to the other boy. "Tip, was it?"

"Yes, Your Goodness."

"You were Old Mombi's ward?"

"Yes, ma'am. Since I was a baby."

"What do you know of your parents?"

"Only that they're dead. A man claiming to be their friend gave me to Mombi."

"I see. Do you know who that friend was?"

"Not really. He only visited one or two more times, all while I was too young for memories. All Mombi would tell me was that he wasn't from Oz, ate beans with a knife, and was talented in manipulation and trickery."

The sorceress nodded. "She never told you his name?"

"I think it was Oscar."

Glinda and Fiyero gasped with shock.

"Oscar Marvel?" Glinda quietly asked.

Tip was puzzled by their reactions, until he remembered that was the name of the Wizard of Oz. "I remember Mombi sometimes insulting someone with that name whenever she complained about having to take care of me."

Glinda took in the news. Eventually she said, "Oscar Marvel was the name of the Great Wizard. He made three secret visits to old Mombi, and I remember when we dined together, he always ate his beans with a knife." Glinda took a breath and showed Tip a photo of the man, "Tip, do you remember ever seeing this man?"

Tip studied the picture and tried to think, but couldn't recall a memory.

The wheels started turning in the blonde's head. "Tip, how old are you?"

"Biologically, or chronologically?" Tip asked.

"Chronologically."

"45."

"That's how old Princess Ozma would be." Glinda breathed.

Fiyero quickly caught on. "Wait, are you saying The Wizard gave Ozma to Mombi after taking the throne, then the witch turned Ozma into Tip?"

"That's what the evidence points to."

"I!" cried Tip, in amazement. "Why, I'm no Princess Ozma—I'm not a girl!"

"Didn't you say you sometimes felt like a girl?" Liir asked, "And whenever you brought it up to Mombi she would beat you?"

"Yes. But, but-" Tip struggled for words.

Liir soon wrapped his love in his arms and kissed him. "It's ok. Mombi isn't here. We'll make sure she can't hurt you anymore."

Tip looked him in the eyes, "You sure?"

Liir smiled. "Of course." He gave him another kiss, "It's what family does."

Tip smiled and hugged him tight. Liir hugged him back.

Then, a thought appeared in Tip's mind. "Liir?"

"Yes dear?"

Tip took a breath. "If I really am Ozma, and am able to turn back, will you still love me?"

Liir caressed his boyfriend's face, "Tip, I didn't fall in love with you because you're a boy. I fell in love because you're kind, caring, playful, creative, fun-loving, and so-on. I told you I wouldn't change how I saw you when you first told me about being a girl. That hasn't changed."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Liir then gave his beloved a tender kiss, which was happily returned.