The green skinned witch continued to crouch on the thick tree branch that overlooked Mombi's hut. Concealed by green and purple leaves, it was the perfect place to spy. Soon, the Wizard would inevitably leave the witch's cabin and she would knab him.
As she continued to stalk Mombi's hut, she perked up when the front door finally opened. She fully anticipated the Wizard to emerge.
Except only the witch herself stepped outside. Theodora eyed her, like a cat intently staring at a mouse before it pounced, as she remained camouflaged behind the leaves of the tree. She raised her brow as Mombi began to make strange facial expressions and started to blow air gently out of her mouth. This continued as she turned onto the main dirt path adjacent to her rustic abode.
"What is she doing?", Theodora's black lips muttered quietly as a quizzical expression appeared on her slender green face. Several moments later, the northern witch escaped from view as shrubbery and other trees obstructed her line of sight.
"Oh! Coming Wizard!", Mombi voice rose as she re-emerged into Theodora's gaze once more. She then walked quietly back to her hut. "Coming Wizard", she then repeated as she again opened and closed her front door.
However, Mombi was quite cunning in her own right.
Moments before, the Wizard had been sitting on his chair in her cabin. "I need to leave", he exclaimed as he grabbed his bag. "If the Winged Monkeys are looking for me here, that means she will also be looking for me, too." He shot the witch a look of concern as he knew full well what powers Theodora had.
"Oh no!", the witch said as she placed her hands on her hips. "You are not just walking out of my front door. You do realize that they are now watching this place, you know…"
"Ok, so then what would you have me do?"
This made Mombi touch her chin with her fingers as she then flashed him a mischievous and devious smile. "Oh no", he said nervously. "What are you planning…"
Seconds later, the Wizard became small. So small. Infinitesimally small.
Oh my god. I can't move! I can't move!", he shouted and squeaked. But once again, the witch didn't hear him as she started to laugh playfully. "I hope you like being a little miniscule bacterium, Wizard…"
Mombi! Mombi! Turn me back! Immediately!" But the Wizard's peeps and squeals went completely unheard. And how massive she now looked! The witch appeared to be a giant as he now floated in the air. She then puckered her lips and started to blow air towards him as he headed straight towards the closed front door!
Mombiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, he yelled on the top of his lungs or, err, however microscopic bacteria would communicate with each other. But before he splattered onto the door, it opened. She continued to blow the poor little Wizard from her front yard all the way down the path some distance away. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, he cheeped as he was blown for what seemed like a terrifying large distance but was only a short skip and hop away.
Finally, and after what seemed like an eternity, the Wizard transformed back into his usual size. However, since he was floating above the ground, he and his bag landed onto the dirt with a loud thud.
"I really hate this family", he finally said with an air of facetiousness as dirt covered his face. He wiped it away as he tried to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, Theodora continued to spy on Mombi's hut, unaware of her deception. However, after some time had passed, a Winged Monkey landed behind her.
"Mistress!", he declared. "The Wizard was spotted near the Winkie Peaks next to the Lankie River! Running eastward. Winkie Guards are pursuing, but he will be cornered soon. We got him!"
After being transformed by Mombi, the Wizard continued eastward. His initial plan was to walk along the path he had taken the first time he met her. Eventually, the dirt path would connect to the yellow brick road, which would then lead him back to the Emerald City.
However, if he wanted to, he could continue even further east and enter the Munchkin Country. He had a bone to pick with Evanora and a score he wanted to settle. The Wizard flashed a devilish grin as he treaded lightly. Yeahhhhhh I could take out that bitch, he sneered to himself. How hard can this Wicked Witch really be?
He was snickering contemptuously on the inside. He really wanted this witch to be under his boot. He remembered her vicious insults, her lies, and her slanderous words she hurled at him while Glinda kept him cloistered at the palace. He cringed when he remembered Glinda telling him that the best response was no response at all, but he still felt neutered and helpless like a dog. The city even lost wealthy Munchkins because of the Wicked Witch of the East.
While he continued to think about Evanora's trickery, lies and deceit over the last three years, the Wizard started to inwardly seethe as images of graphic violence entered his mind. Thoughts of him beating her to a bloody pulp. Her cries of pain. He even contemplated applying prolonged physical torture, for in his mind, the eastern witch was nothing but an uncivilized animal who deserved no mercy. He would revel with unparalleled joy and celebration when that monster was put out of its misery and met an agonizing death.
As he continued to step lightly along the trail, his daydream was interrupted when he saw two paths that he could take. One made a sharp left, so he turned his head and gazed on a dilapidated wooden sign that read:
Winkie Country
Whimsie Woods
Winkie Peaks
He continued straight. However, after only ten minutes into his trip, he heard the fluttering of wings above the tree line, which created shadows on the forest floor. Startled, the Wizard looked up and then quickly ducked behind a nearby tree.
"Find him!", one Winged Monkey yelled as a small group landed near his location. "He is around here somewhere!"
"Keep looking", said another monkey. "We are going to search this path in its entirety!"
"Check every inch of this forest from here to the Emerald City!", another bellowed.
This made the Wizard curl his fingers in frustration. No matter how hard he tried to place distance between himself and Theodora, she always seemed to be one step ahead of him. He knew that he was at a massive disadvantage since she had the manpower, the resources and even actual magic on her side. He had to find a way to lose them and avoid capture.
Because of the blockade, the Wizard knew that he now had no choice but to turn around and take the trail that would lead him through the easternmost section of the Winkie Country. But this was exactly what Theodora wanted. When he stepped onto the Winkie Country, then her guards—whose jurisdiction prevented them from stepping foot onto the Gillikin lands—were then free to capture him.
As the monkeys were flying and meticulously scanning the forest from above his position, the Wizard drifted through the underbrush to avoid being spotted. After he turned and walked for some time, he stepped over the land border and emerged from the forest. As he made his way, he started to sweat as he hiked up multiple hills. This section of the Winkie Country included vast mountains and lush rainforests.
For him, the great irony in all of this was that the trail he was on would eventually lead him through the Wimsie Woods and the place he ultimately landed in Oz three years prior.
The trail he was on ended as a new path went to his left and another went to his right. In front of him was a ravine with a raging river. The landscape was now dotted with jagged and enormous mountain ranges. He was sweating from all the hiking and the climbing, but a welcome breeze blew past him, which gave him momentary relief. A small band of cirrus clouds had dotted the deep blue Ozian sky.
He knew he had returned to the Winkie Peaks. But as he stepped closer to the cliff and gazed at the river below him in the ravine, a deep feminine voice addressed him from behind.
"Oscar Diggs." Startled, this made him gasp as he swiftly turned around.
However, he didn't know who exactly this interloper was, for the only thing he saw was a hooded figure cloaked in yellow. He vaguely remembered seeing such an individual as he drifted in and out of consciousness after he tripped and fell from fleeing the powerful magics of the Haunted Forest, but he thought it was only a dream.
"Who are you and what do you want?", he asked with rising fear in his voice. He knew that the Land of Oz had powerful and mysterious creatures, many of whom he had never met before. Was this one of those creatures? He really did not want to wait and find out.
"Oscar Diggs", she softly cooed in a low, but deep voice. "Born in Kansas on December 12, 1859 to Henry and Martha Diggs. Worked on his parents' farm until he was 17 years old. Ran away from home and engaged in odd jobs. Paper boy. Furniture salesman. Joined Baum Brothers Circus in 1894 as a carnival magician." Her voice remained steady with an air of confidence as she cocked her head to the side under her hood. "Did I get that right?", she asked rhetorically.
The Wizard's mouth curled into a mixture of shock, panic, and morbid curiosity. He then gulped nervously as he wondered with amazement and sheer terror as to how this mysterious figure knew exactly who he was and his backstory before he came to Oz. He tried to find the right words to say, but he was left speechless.
But then the individual underneath the cloak started to take several steps towards him. This made the Wizard reach into his suit pocket and pull out his small derringer. "Stay back!", he screamed. "Stay back! Or you will feel the wrath of the Great and Powerful Wizard!" He mustered all his confidence and hubris and flashed a fake grin.
She stopped walking and started to speak again, her voice conveying no emotion and her tone only the mildest of amusement. "Ahh, the colt derringer. Introduced in 1825 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln himself." She then paused momentarily before she continued. "Or was it to assassinate President Tolby? I don't remember anymore. There are many timelines, just like in the Land of Oz itself…"
The Wizard felt unnerved as silence descended on the pair once again. He was too stunned to even speak. Different timelines? What was she talking about?
"You are doing a good job, Oscar Diggs", she finally said matter of factly. "This time."
"I will continue to watch your progress from a distance", she finally said dispassionately.
As she spoke, the Wizard's lips began to part in stunned silence. This time?, he thought to himself with much confusion in his thoughts. She was watching me? What is she talking about? And how does she know who I am?
"Who are you?", he finally said with great awe and incredulity in his tone.
Suddenly, he heard a loud masculine voice. "There he is!", a Winkie Guard exclaimed. "Get him!" The Wizard turned his head and saw a group of guards darting down the path towards him as they marched in uniform order. He then turned and glanced at where the hooded figure once stood, but she was gone.
He took off running in the opposite direction. He followed the trail as he ran as fast as he could. His palms were sweaty and his breath heavy. Unfortunately for the Wizard, the trail proved to be a dead end as a steep and narrow stone wall blocked his path, no doubt part of the numerous hills and mountains that made up the area. He looked to his left and saw the river below in the ravine. He ran to the ledge, unsure of what to do.
He looked down. The Wizard believed he could jump into the water and estimated that it was probably a two-story leap. He started to tremble at the thought of jumping as he didn't know how to swim and the current looked rough. But if he didn't jump, the Winkie Guards would surely catch him. His mind raced as he struggled to decide what to do. Does he get captured or does he jump?
He was now running out of options.
His heart sank when he looked at the sky and saw a streak of black smoke in the distance. After being told of the Wizard's location by a Winged Monkey, Theodora rushed to the area. Sitting on her black broom, she eyed him as she stopped flying and now floated in the air.
While she was still far away, she had vision as sharp as an eagle. She flashed a guile smile as she flew towards him. There was nowhere for him to go. He was going to be captured by her or her guards.
Finally, her men surrounded the Wizard and brandished their halberds. "Wizard! Stop right there!", the captain thundered mightily as he appeared from behind the small group. He then began to slowly walk towards the Wizard.
He looked at the captain meekly as his time had almost run out. As the witch flew closer and closer to their location, he had to quickly decide what he was going to do. Which was more important to him—clearing his name or appeasing the witch? But he knew if he was going to lose them, he would have to take extreme measures.
The Wizard then flashed the captain a small smile. He slowly reached into his pocket, which caused Mitchell to back away. "Stop!", he screamed as he brandished his own halberd and pointed it directly at the Wizard.
"It's ok", he said calmly. "I just want you to give something to Theodora for me." The Wizard then took out the letter he had written while he was at Mombi's hut and gently threw the note towards the captain, which landed at his feet.
As he slowly picked it up, he eyed him with suspicion and doubt. His facial expressions became more relaxed as he then started to read it. "Why don't you give it to her yourself", he said as he looked up at him. He and his men were still a stone throw away from the Wizard.
"Remember that day we walked to Gayalette and you asked me why I came here", the Wizard said deliberately. "And it was because I took a leap of faith?"
He then flashed the captain a sly smile as he nodded. "Well, today I am taking that leap…"
The captain was normally a stoic and impassive person. He was slow to show any emotion at all, but in this instant and quickly realizing the Wizard's true intention, he expressed alarm. "GRAB THE WIZARD!", he yelled at his men.
But it was too late, for the Wizard immediately turned around and jumped off the ledge. Time slowed. Even though he didn't show it, the Wizard was petrified as he jumped. The Winkie Guards were fast, but they were not fast enough as he remained just out of their reach.
As she saw the Wizard leap from the edge, the witch flew into a dive at maximum speed. She wanted to grab him as he was falling, but she overestimated the time it would take for him to fall. In hindsight, she could have used her telekinetic powers to freeze him in midair, but things happened so quickly that she missed this opportunity. She screamed as she closed the gap, but her free hand could not reach him in time. She barely missed the Wizard as he landed in the fast-flowing river with a huge splash. Floating above the water, her ring glowed red as she tried to grab him out of the river using her powers, but the water on the Wizard's body interfered with her magic. She growled and groaned in frustration.
When the Wizard hit the water, the current briefly dunked him under. But it wasn't enough time for panic to set in because as quickly as he went under, he resurfaced, and the current carried him along. "Oh, the water is quite nice", the Wizard said to himself as he held his bag in one hand and adjusted his hat with the other. He then became cocky as he smiled triumphantly and waved teasingly with his free hand at the guards and the furious witch herself. "Bon voyage! Au revoir! Ciao! Auf Wiedersehen! Adios! And goodnight!", he then roared with triumphant and amusing laughter.
The witch clenched her teeth together as she angrily turned to the Winkie Guards who were still standing near the ledge. "You fools!", she cried out. "Get him before he reaches the waterfall!" Still floating in midair, she turned and flew away with thick black smoke emanating from her broom.
The Wizard continued to laugh jubilantly like a child. The water was quite nice, and the buoyancy of the water managed to keep him afloat. This crazy and inane plan of his just might work out. He would float right on down to the Munckin Country where he would pay little ol' Evanora a visit. A huge overconfident grin filled his face until he saw the reality of what was ahead of him.
A waterfall. A huge waterfall. A massive waterfall.
"Oh no!", he gasped in horror as panic started to set in. "Oh no! What am I gonna do! I'M GONNA DIE!", he cried out in fear. The stream's velocity increased as he neared the edge of the cliff, but just before the plunge was a huge rock. He grabbed onto the side and clung on for dear life. "Oh god, oh god, oh god oh god", he groaned. Don't look down. Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down, he told himself.
While he was still a stone's throw away from the actual edge, he peeked over the side. He was so high that the trees appeared like small bushes. The drop was immense.
He looked down.
"OH MY GOD, I'M GONNA DIE!", he wailed. He continued to cling to the rock with his free hand as the captain hurried over to his position and extended his halberd pole. To reach him, the guards had to return to their previous position along the riverbank as the water had narrowed. This allowed them to cross the river and continue from the other side.
"Grab it!", he shouted, for he was still too far and couldn't reach the Wizard.
His lips quivered. "How far down is it?", he asked as his voice trembled.
"You're dead", the captain ominously replied. To the best of his knowledge, he never saw the Wizard fly before and believed that flight was not one of his powers.
It was at this moment when the Wizard remembered the small blue stone that was in his bag. He used his free hand to grab a crevice on the rock. He then used his other hand to tug his bag closer to him. As he examined its contents, he saw the stone sitting atop his blueprints.
"What are you doing?", the captain yelled at him.
But the Wizard paid him no heed as he remembered Mombi's words. Just gaze at the location and the stone will turn bright blue. You will teleport there, he remembered her saying. Unfortunately, the only place where he could go where he knew he could lose Theodora, her guards and the Winged Monkeys was some place below the waterfall. Large mountains surrounded him and even if he could teleport to one of them, he would surely still be captured.
This was stupid, the Wizard thought to himself. He should have allowed Mombi to enchant his stone with polymorphism. This would have been the better and far easier option as he would have lost everyone's trail for sure. But he refused that offer because he felt that this would have been fake. And he had always been a fake. This even extended to when Ozians from the Emerald City would visit him at the palace. On several occasions, he would use illusions to "transform" himself into a great beast or even another animal. Even though his visitors were stunned and in awe at his astounding display, all of this was phony illusionary tricks. Being able to transform into other people or animals or even mysterious beings would have been a constant reminder of how fake the Wizard was.
For once, he wanted a magical power that was different. That was real. Being into science, the power of teleportation greatly intrigued him. He even believed that this feat was attainable by scientific geniuses and inventors such as Thomas Edison himself. That is why he chose this option.
But now, and while clinging to this huge rock, the Wizard only had two options: either grab the pole and be captured or use the stone as the Wizard fell off the waterfall and hope for the best.
He then adjusted himself and looked at Mitchell. "Give that letter to Theodora for me", he calmly said, knowing what was to come. His hand then released the boulder as he wrapped his arms around his bag and his hat.
"Wizard!", the captain exclaimed. But it was too late. The Wizard screamed as the river came to an end and gravity began to take hold.
He fell off the waterfall.