The pair made their way through the grounds, past the finely manicured gardens and the sounds of singing birds. The Wizard was in a good state of mind. He knew that someone from the Emerald City—probably Glinda—was going to bring him good news. Clearly, once the city read Glinda's letter, they would realize that Agatha had acted on her own with malicious intent and that the Wizard had acted in self-defense. As they approached the ramparts, he felt confident that his name was going to be cleared today and he would finally know why Glinda had sent him there to begin with. Everything would be alright. He was sure of that.
"Let me go first", the Wizard gestured as he darted past the captain and the witch. He briskly climbed two of the stone steps at a time, bursting with both excitement and nervousness as both of them trailed close behind.
And as he stepped onto the stone walkway and gazed at the field below him, he smiled enthusiastically. As he was flanked by a row of Winkie Guards—including the witch and the captain who were standing next to him—the Wizard greeted a familiar face who was in the clearing below.
"Professor…Professor Wogglebug! Is that you? It has been a long time…" The Wizard beamed brightly at his friend, his former mentor and Glinda's closest advisor.
"Indeed", the professor replied in hushed tones. "It has been a very long time."
In the Wizard's opinion, Professor Wogglebug was the smartest creature in the land. A wogglebug who had a great round body, slender arms, slender legs and delicate feet, he'd routinely wear a white shirt that was tucked under a well-fitting green suit jacket. His head resembled any mans, except that his ears and nose ended in curly antennae and his black eyes were bulging. He was soft spoken, but never spoke in monotone whispers or loud and boisterous tones. He was well mannered and highly regarded among every Emerald City resident.
When he officially became its guardian, one of the first beings that Glinda introduced the Wizard to was the professor. And in that first year, he took the Wizard fully under his wing and taught him all about Ozian society. However, in the intervening two years, they both began to drift apart, for the Wizard became more and more secluded in the palace and began to concentrate solely on his inventions.
The Wizard narrowed his eyes, sensing there was something wrong from the sullen tone of his old friend and mentor. "What's the matter, professor? Certainly, you would not be here had the Emerald City not send you. Knuck said that they would be sending someone, but I didn't realize…"
The professor gazed at his former student with his jaw locked. "Indeed, they have. But I have an important question to ask you first before I tell you what I came here to say. Wizard, do you remember the lessons that I taught you?"
As the professor spoke, the Wizard started to feel a sense of unease. He took several steps forward and nervously placed his hands on top of the stone wall, which was as high as his chest. "Of course, you were the one who taught me all about Oz's history and of its magic…"
The professor was curt. "Yes, yes, but the lessons?"
The Wizard narrowed his eyes as he spoke in a quiet and hesitant voice, afraid at what the answer to his question might be. "What…what are you getting at, Professor Wogglebug?"
His old mentor sighed and pursed his lips. "I am not here to rehash our mentorship or friendship. I wish I didn't have to make this trip here today, for there is no joy in my visit. I have been sent to tell you that the Emerald City has ordered your death, or to otherwise seek your downfall, and I do not relish the duty of having to tell you this…"
The Wizard expressed shock. "WHAT?" He sharply raised his hands in utmost confusion. "B-b-but what about the letter? Didn't Knuck show it to Glinda? I was sent here…"
But his old mentor waved his hand dismissively at him, shook his head and interrupted him. "No, no, no, Knuck showed the letter to Glinda, but she denies having ever written a letter to you. She never sent you here and denies having ever done so."
His eyes wide, the Wizard stood in stunned silence. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. And for the next several moments, no one said a word.
If Glinda didn't send me…, he thought to himself. Then who did?
"…But then Agatha must have written it…?", the Wizard said, before his voice trailed off. "In order to…" His mind was racing as he was trying to quickly make sense of what was happening. "In order to gain power and take over on her own!"
His former mentor frowned and interrupted him. "We looked into it, but her handwriting does not match the one on the letter. Neither Glinda or Agatha sent you here…"
The Wizard's mind continued to race as he then thought of the eastern witch. It was Evanora, he thought to himself. Of course, it was Evanora! She literally just wrote me a letter! It definitely must be her!
"Professor! This is Evanora's doing! She planned all of this! I can prove it to you if I can just…"
But his former mentor once again interrupted him as he shook his head. "Evanora's handwriting is on numerous documents at the Emerald City. This wasn't her handwriting. Again, Evanora did not send you here."
The Wizard continued to be confused and his facial expression showed it. It occurred to him that whoever wrote that letter had deceived and manipulated him. For the first time in his life, he was outmaneuvered by someone who played the deception game better than he did. His mind raced as he desperately thought of someone—anyone—who may have had a grudge against him. But the only person he could think of that would have placed him into this position was Evanora. He was at a dead end.
And what a predicament he was in now. Still, the Wizard thought that Evanora must have had something to do with this. She had to have had something to do with it. She must have had someone write the letter on her behalf. But the Wizard didn't have any evidence of this, even though there was no one else who desired his downfall as much as she did. If this was revenge for her being banished from the Emerald City, then she played this hand of hers marvelously. He stood there not knowing what to say to his former mentor. He felt utterly trapped.
The Wizard finally sighed as he tried to maintain his composure in the face of this devastating news. "I see…", he finally said. "And what power has decided that I should be killed?" As he spoke, the Wizard started to become angry. "I thought all of the good people of Oz do not kill!? Or is that a rule that can be easily broken on the whims of those who make the rules? I serve the Emerald City and the Land of Oz through my position as the Wizard." As he spoke, he tried to hold back his growing anger at the injustice of it all. "Who have I offended?"
His former mentor expressed shock. "Who…? Wizard, you are associating with a Wicked Witch! I do not wish to think you had any complicity in Agatha's death, but here she is, standing right next to you, and she is still alive!"
With growing anger and frustration in his voice, the Wizard vehemently pushed back. "I have washed my hands of that incident with Agatha! I have already told Knuck that she was in the wrong. She brought this fate upon herself!"
The professor's voice became caustic. "Just like the witch standing before you brought her fate upon herself? Or is she, according to you, an eternal victim who bears no responsibility at all for her own actions? The truth is we know nothing of the events leading up to Agatha's death. There is only the fact that you, the Wizard who represents the Emerald City, and this Wicked Witch, who is an enemy of the Emerald City, are now in league with each other and this has resulted in the death of a dignified and highly respected officer. This cannot be ignored!"
"She was in the wrong!", the Wizard shouted emphatically as he frustratingly gestured with his hands. "Of that I am certain! Agatha sought to imprison Theodora for her own gain and I took the side of right! I could do no other!"
"It is not seen that way", the professor bluntly replied. "You are a fiduciary. You have a duty to the Emerald City and to all of its residents. You have a duty to the Quadling Country, who the Emerald City has an alliance and a treaty of friendship with. You have a duty to Glinda, who is a co-ruler and an advisor to you. You have made an unauthorized visit to an enemy state. And by continuing to defend and support this Wicked Witch, you have now placed yourself into a position where you have betrayed the trust of the Emerald City. You have violated your duties and I don't see how any of this can end well for you…"
As the professor spoke, the Wizard placed his hand on his face and began to slowly shake his head. He could hear his heart pounding inside his ears as he began to feel lightheaded and faint. Theodora turned her head to him as her eyes narrowed. "Don't listen to him Wizard", she whispered. But he didn't even hear her. He was right. He did have a duty to the Emerald City and all of its people. His position, his reputation and even his life was now on the line. His anxiety started to consume him. Was this a dream? It had to have been. But no. The Wizard knew that this was very real. And he could not believe this was happening.
The professor continued, his voice ringing. "Agatha, an ally of the Emerald City, is dead. Exact the necessary justice. That is the only route for redemption for you. Good Ozian society…will not accept you otherwise…"
The Wizard's removed his hand from his face as he stared at the professor again, his voice filled with thunderous fury. "This is wrong, professor!", he yelled as his face was red, his hand curled into a fist while his other hand was angrily pounding on the top of the stone wall. "This is not the right solution!"
But the professor was adamant. "I cannot see this ending any other way. Agatha, a protector of the Emerald City and a being of Goodness, is dead. What do you intend to do about it?"
All eyes instantly fell on the Wizard. And for the next several moments, everything was deafening quiet.
The Wizard placed both of his hand over his face as he lowered his head. His finger nails began to scratch his face as he softly groaned. He realized that the next decision he was about to make would be a monumental one, which could very well affect his future and even his life. This decision would be even more consequential than when he chose to follow Evanora's advice and leave the Emerald City to immediately pursue Glinda, whom he initially believed to be the Wicked Witch.
He knew what he decided next could potentially have disastrous consequences if he made the wrong choice.
Finally, he removed his hands from his face as he raised his head once more and looked uneasily at his old friend and mentor.
"Professor….I…I…" The Wizard tightly closed his eyes as he briefly lowered his head again and pursed his lips. He crossed his arms on his chest. He shook his head ever so slightly and sighed. What does he do? Does he betray Theodora to protect his wealth, his reputation and his life? And what about Glinda, Knuck and China Girl? Does he betray all of his friends? What about the Emerald City, which he swore to protect when he became its guardian? What about the Quadlings? If he took Theodora's side, wouldn't he be betraying them too? The Wizard was caught in a nearly impossible position.
After some deep contemplation, he opened his eyes once more. He looked up and stared at his old mentor with a renewed look of determination on his face.
He knew what he had to do. For the Wizard, there was no going back now. For him, everything was on the line.
"….I cannot do as you ask! You are in the wrong, as was Agatha. And Glinda is wrong too if she agrees with this. I was right to choose Theodora's side, and it is your loss if you cannot see this!"
The professor raised his finger as his voice became stern and righteous. "Consider carefully what you are saying. You have a duty to the Emerald City! You have a duty to justice!"
The Wizard's voice was filled with indignation as his hands gestured in earnest. "This is not justice! "This is revenge for a lie, a falsehood that no one seems bothered to find the truth behind! If this is Ozian justice then I…then I…" He started to breathe heavily. He felt an intense dizzying sensation come over him as his heart began pounding in his ears once more, but the feeling went away almost as quickly as it came.
The professor's jaw was tight and his face tense. "What are you saying, Wizard…?"
"If this is Ozian justice that you represent then I…then I…then I renounce you!", the Wizard cried out as passion filled his voice. "I renounce Glinda! I renounce…I renounce my life as the Wizard!"
As he said this, the witch grabbed his arm with her hand and looked at him with wide eyes. This was not what she expected. Even the professor seemed taken aback by such a drastic and dramatic announcement.
"Wizard…you cannot mean…think this through", his old mentor replied. He gestured with his hands in an effort to change this sudden and entirely unexpected turn of events.
"It would seem I am the only one that has thought any of this through", the Wizard responded with the same degree of passion and conviction in his voice. "You have not, it seems Glinda has not and now the Emerald City out for blood has not!"
He continued somberly. "I have become friends with many Ozians over these years. And they continually believe in the goodness and truth in others. Agatha did not uphold what was good, and what she fought for cheapened their beliefs. I will not be a party to it…"
The professor shook his head angrily. "Wizard! You don't know what you are saying and you have been gravely misled. Enact justice against this Wicked Witch! You can do no other. This is the last chance for you to return gracefully to the Emerald City as a being of Goodness! This is your last chance to be redeemed!"
But the Wizard was defiant. "There is nothing I have done that needs to be redeemed! I have done nothing wrong except defend myself and prevent an injustice from taking place, something that everyone from the Emerald City does not seem to understand or comprehend…!"
His old mentor merely crossed his arms on his chest as he scolded and interrupted the Wizard. "Is your treachery not enough that you now consort with this odious Wicked Witch? Everything that was told to me is now being confirmed. I thought you better than…"
"Shut up!", the Wizard thundered with rising anger in his voice. "I have already given you my answer! If my word is not enough for you, then there is absolutely nothing else to discuss! This matter is finished and I will not acknowledge this conversation further! If you press it and do not leave now, I will be forced to deal with you!"
"Just like you dealt with Agatha? Is that what you are now, Wizard? A murderer? I thought you were better than that!"
He then frowned as he gazed at the professor with a look of disgust on his face. "Not only did Agatha threaten to kill me, but she used her station and the weight of Glinda's army to elevate herself! Her actions betrayed her and all those that followed her! You are the one being misled and..."
The Wizard grew silent as he eyed the professor suspiciously. "Where's Glinda? Why isn't she here?"
His former mentor was silent.
"Where's Glinda?" The Wizard started to raise his voice once more. "I demand to see her! Right now!"
"Where do you think she is?", the professor shot back. "Glinda is not going to appear for a traitor such as yourself!"
The Wizard stared at his former mentor. He didn't know what to make of this exchange, but thoughts he believed were utter impossibilities began to creep into his mind.
"Who really sent Agatha here, professor? Did Glinda send Agatha? Is she conspiring against me? Did she plan all of this to take over the Emerald City and seize power for herself? How much do you know? I demand you tell me right now!"
The professor clenched his teeth in anger. "You don't know what you are saying. Your association with this Theodora has poisoned your judgment and your mind…"
The Wizard shook his head sharply as they continued to trade stinging and bitter barbs at each other. "Then I am better for it! Call me a traitor, but I have followed the path of goodness! You are the traitor and a deceiver, and if the events were known as to what happened others would see!"
The professor smirked. "Ah, but the events are not known. What is known is that you have killed an Emerald City ally and have taken up residence with this Wicked Witch. There is no evidence that exists to the contrary. Our noble and glorious King Pastoria, who followed the path of Goodness, was right to lock her away to protect all of Oz and Agatha was right to confine her for the remainder of her days. It is only YOU who has resisted all of this…"
The Wizard was horrified. "And what about all of the good she wishes to do? Do we turn our backs on everyone that Ozians deem unworthy? What happened to you, professor? I do not know you anymore…"
"One grows weary, I suppose", he said matter of factly. "There is only so much wickedness in this land one can handle and there comes a time when it must be cleansed..."
He paused before continuing. "You would have made an excellent ruler. But now, you have brought this circumstance upon yourself and your path will not be a peaceful one. Here's the Emerald City's ultimatum to you, Wizard: if you don't turn yourself in within 96 hours, the city will send its guards after you and…"
The witch, who had stayed silent all of this time, could not stay silent anymore and shouted at the professor. "Good! Let them come! We will be ready for them! Or better yet, we will come to you!"
"Theodora, quiet", the Wizard barked at her.
"Ahhh, just what I thought! The witch is showing her true wicked colors. I would expect nothing less from a wicked witch such as herself!"
The Wizard shook his head. "No, professor. You have come here making unprovoked accusations and threats of violence and then, like Agatha, you are using her response to punish an innocent! This is not the way!"
"Innocent?", the professor snarled at the Wizard. "Is that what you would call Theodora? She goes against everything that is good! Her temper is certainly not one that that is to be tolerated in decent Ozian society. Whether her nature is truly one of goodness or wickedness deep down is irrelevant, for the witch's nature will certainly be disruptive! She is an abomination to our pure and unadulterated Goodness that we as Ozians all must follow!"
"It certainly has disrupted you", the Wizard said in disbelief. "And clearly you do not comprehend the differences between right and wrong, for it appears you have strayed from 'good Ozian society' for quite some time!"
His former mentor chuckled. "Ah, your quick wit and ingenuity are still the most dangerous traits about you, Wizard. I told you to use and cultivate it against the forces of Wickedness. Little did I know that I would be on the receiving end one day."
The Wizard replied with bitterness in his voice. "Enough! This is the last time I will speak with you. I have no more guilt about facing you, or anyone else who has been sent on this misguided fool's crusade. Goodbye, professor. You are the betrayers, not I. I know this in my heart…"
"Then you will pardon me if I will soon have a look myself." His former mentor gave the Wizard a final threatening glare, one that ominously pierced his soul, before he flew away towards the Emerald City once more.