(The Wizard's Return)
*January 15th, 1906*
*Land of Mangaboos*
Everyone stood in shock at the news that they've just received as Zeb nervously laughed to himself while Dorothy remained fearless but still surprised nonetheless.
"I see, well, let's see the sorcerer so we could prove our innocence and I'm sure that he's willing to understand our situation" Dorothy had spoken out to the man with the star as she looked up to see the strange being staring down at her before he began to speak.
"We shall see but let's not waste anymore time with mindless chatter, let's head forth to Gwig, the sorcerer and there, he shall judge you!" The man with the star had spoken back to Dorothy as he began to walk towards the destination as Jim began to follow him while carrying Dorothy, Zeb, and Betsy in the carriage.
"Friend, I don't trust these people, they're not so friendly and we're being treated as criminals! It's maddening" Betsy had whispered to Dorothy in a tone of annoyance while she nodded her head in agreement as she began to speak.
"I agree, but we just have to follow their orders for the time being but don't worry, we'll prove our innocence and find a way to get out of here" Dorothy had whispered back in a tone of reassurance as Betsy smiled as she slowly crawled over to see the beautiful glass palace which she found to be wonderful.
"Wow, this place is quite beautiful. I wish I could take photos of it but I forgot my camera back at home.." Betsy had spoken out once more in a tone of awestruck as she felt herself getting closer towards the glass palace.
The doorway of the glass palace was quite big enough for the horse and buggy to enter, so Zeb drove straight through it and the children found themselves in a lofty hall that was very beautiful.
The people at once followed and formed a circle around the sides of the spacious room, leaving the horse and buggy and the man with the star to occupy the center of the hall.
"W-Whoa, this place is surely mysterious like how there can be an entire civilization of people within the center of the Earth?!" Zeb had spoken out in awestruck while he looked over to see the man with the star standing in the center of the hall.
"Gwig, we summon you at once, please show yourself at once!" The man with the star had cried out in a loud voice as he awaited for the arrival of Gwig.
Instantly a cloud of smoke appeared and rolled over the floor; then it slowly spread and ascended into the dome, disclosing a strange personage seated upon a glass throne just before Jim's nose. He was formed just as were the other inhabitants of this land and his clothing only differed from theirs in being bright yellow. But he had no hair at all, and all over his bald head and face and upon the backs of his hands grew sharp thorns like those found on the branches of rose-bushes. There was even a thorn upon the tip of his nose and he looked so funny that Dorothy laughed when she saw him which caught Gwig's attention.
"Laughing, aren't we?! What's so funny!" Gwig had spat out towards Dorothy in a rather aggressive tone of voice as the palace grew silent for a few seconds while Zeb was scared out of his mind while Betsy remained calm but still was fearful.
"M-My apologies, I couldn't help it for I'm only thirteen years old but I will ensure that this will never happen again…" Dorothy had answered back while bowing politely much to the relief of Zeb, Betsy, and the two animals.
"I see, now, next question! Why have you DARED to show your ugly face into the beautiful Land of the Mangaboos!" Gwig had spat out once more while looking over at Dorothy; however, Betsy quickly answered for her.
"We fell here due to the earthquake and we're just finding a way to get back home so please forgive our behavior.." Betsy had answered while this seemed to make Gwig glare at her and everyone else with such seriousness in his face while Jim observed everything with great interest.
"This guy, he looks stern and strict, just like my old owners back in my horse racing days, I hope Zeb, Dorothy, and Betsy choose their words carefully…" Jim had thought to himself as he continued to watch the ongoing conversation between his allies and Gwig.
"Why did you so carelessly send down the rain of stones that caused the destruction of our houses, have you have no heart and soul at all?, well, answer me!" Gwig had spat out to the children once more as Zeb was the one to answer the question in a very timid voice.
"W-Well, W-We didn't, g-g-g-ood sir…" Zeb had responded back in a timid tone of voice as his answer made Gwig more annoyed at the situation which didn't help our heroes at all.
"LIES! All LIES! Prove that you are telling the truth!" Gwig had spat back in a very cruel tone of voice as this seemed to strike a nerve with Dorothy as she began to speak out.
"We don't have to prove it. If you had any brains then you would know that it was an earthquake." Dorothy had spoken out in an annoyed tone of voice as this struck a nerve with Gwig as he glared at her as he began to speak back.
"Our knowledge in regards to the rain of stones was yesterday's events which caused the destruction of our homes; however, there came a second rain of stones and it only appeared when you people showed up.." Gwig had spoken back to Dorothy in a defensive tone of voice as this seemed to have caused The man with the star to approach him as he gave him a glare which quickly made Gwig quiet.
"By the way, you've mentioned that there will be no rain of stones the previous day; however, there was rain of stones today. What good is your sorcery if you can't get anything right" The man with the star had spoken out in a stern tone of voice as Gwig appeared to look offended as he tried to keep his cool.
"My sorcery does tell the truth! I've said that there shall be rain of stones on the previous day! The second day was those intruders! You have my word, Prince.." Gwig had spoken back to the Prince as this revelation surprised Dorothy and the others greatly.
"P-Prince, so he's the leader of the Mangaboos?! I've never expected him to be a prince since he's around the same age as me…" Dorothy had thought to herself as she continued to observe the conversation that was unfolding.
"I see, well, will there be more rain of stones in the upcoming days, don't lie to me.." The Prince had asked Gwig as he saw the sorcerer shaking his head in denial.
"No, my prince, there shall be no rain of stones, people, and anything of the sort in the coming days" Gwig had responded back once more as this made the Prince nod his head in understandment.
"I see, well, I hope you are right…" The Prince had spoken back as he looked at the window to see a strange object appearing which caught his attention and suddenly, another person came rushing into the doors.
"My lord, come out! You have to see this!" The person had spoken out to his lord and suddenly, everyone had quickly ran outside to see what was going on.
"Come on! Let's follow them! It might be someone coming to save us' ' Dorothy had spoken out as she, Zeb, and Betsy jumped out of the carriage and quickly ran outside to see what the commotion was about.
Far in the air, the object appeared to be a red hot air balloon and it was descending further below the ground and this confused everyone greatly.
"W-Who is that.." Betsy had uttered out in confusion as she could hear more whispers from the Mangaboos as they were confused at the situation as everyone continued to wait as the red hot air balloon slowly got closer and closer.
"I hope it's someone coming to save us but how could it be possible…" Dorothy had thought to herself as the young girl was filled with sheer anticipation unlike the Mangaboos who remained calm and collected which surprised her due to how patient they seemed to act.
After a few minutes, the red hot air balloon had finally touched the surface and there, a man jumped out of the hot air balloon and it was none other than Oscar Diggs.
"Oh dear, I knew I shouldn't have investigated that crack but maybe these strange people could help.." Oscar had thought to himself as he looked over to see Dorothy herself which surprised the pair greatly.
"Oscar?! What in the world are you doing here?! I thought you were in Kansas!" Dorothy had spoken out in surprise while Oscar chuckled to himself.
"Yes, my dear. It's been a few months and it seems you've brought some friends along as well, very strange indeed" Oscar had spoken out in a happy tone of voice while Dorothy smiled; however, she remembered her conversation with Ozma just a few months ago as she quickly glared at him.
"Well, we do need to talk about a certain girl once all of this is over with but let's now dwell on that for now" Dorothy had spoken out to Oscar as this made the man nervous as he knew what to expect.
"Dorothy, what do you mean?! That was a story that Old Mombi…" Oscar had spoken back; however, he knew that Dorothy wasn't gonna take any of these lies so he only sighed and began to change the subject.
"Very well than, My first mission is getting you and your friends out of here so let's talk to the leader of the Mangaboos, shall we?" Oscar had spoken back while he could hear the whispers of the Mangaboos in response to his arrival while the Prince smiled at this which was noticed by Betsy.
"He smiled, I thought the Mangaboos or whatever only were emotionless…" Betsy had thought to herself before quickly looking back at what was going on.
"Oscar, so, you were the former ruler of Oz, right? I've had a feeling you was gonna come here and I do need help with something and only you could help me.." The Prince had spoken out to the old man as this made Dorothy curious.
"What do you mean? If you need help than me and the others would happily assist in exchange for our freedom?" Dorothy had spoken out to the Prince as this made Oscar grin with joy as he was in full support of the young girl.
"She has a point and she's even killed the Wicked Witches of the East and West! She's quite powerful indeed! More So than me!" Oscar had spoken to the Prince while clearly lying about Dorothy's power which made her raise an eyebrow.
"Well, it was clearly an accident on both occasions but yes, I've killed the two evil witches" Dorothy had chimed into the conversation as this could be heard by Zeb and Betsy.
"There she goes claiming she's killed witches, I've thought Aunt Em would have sent her to the house to get help but they've spent that money on school but also, who's this Oscar person.." Zeb had spoken out in confusion while Betsy began to answer his question.
"Well, Oscar was referred to as Oz and he was the ruler of Oz for quite some time until his identity was exposed thus leaving the throne to someone called Scarecrow but of course, he's not king anymore and someone else is" Betsy had explained to Zeb as this confused him even further as he did not get what was going on.
"Scarecrow?! Oz?! Dorothy sure is one strange cousin but I will still love and protect her with my life.." Zeb had spoken back as he and Betsy continued to watch the conversation that was going on.
"Well, either way, you've killed the witches and thus I need your help as well…" The Prince had spoken to Dorothy as this made the young girl question him.
"And what shall we help you with?" Dorothy had asked the Prince while waiting for her answer.
"I need you and Oscar's help to find my sister, the Princess of the Mangaboos…" The Prince had responded back in a serious tone of voice as this made both Dorothy and Oscar raise their eyebrows in great interest.
