(Secrets of the Kiss)

*January 22nd, 1906*

*Emerald Palace*

A few days had passed since the encounter with Aurora as Dorothy's eyes slowly opened while finding herself lying on the hospital bed.

"W-Where am I.." Dorothy uttered with a groggy voice as she turned around to see Ozma, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, Lion, and Hungry Tiger standing by herself which quickly surprised the young girl.

"G-Guys! It's wonderful to see you guys again! I've missed you all so dearly! How have things been?" Dorothy spoke out with joy while gently leaning forward to give each of her friends a warm hug as she had a smile on her face.

"It's so great to see you again, my friend. We've been doing very great lately. We heard about your adventures down below. That was quite scary to deal with Mangaboos, Invisible Bears, and other such things" Scarecrow spoke out to his friend while Tin Woodman and the others nodded in agreement.

"If it wasn't for Ozma trying to visit you the other day then all would have been lost but I also feel Glinda would have intervened anyways since she always watches over the entire Land of Oz" Tin Woodman spoke out with a smile as this made Ozma remember a very important detail that she nearly forgotten.

"That reminds me! Once you are rested then we need to visit Locasta to discuss the strange star on your forehead.." Ozma spoke out to her friend while pointing at the small but half star on Dorothy's forehead which caught the young girl's attention as she gently touched it.

"Oh yeah, It's been a while since I've seen the Good Witch of the North so I gotta pay her a visit one of these days" Dorothy spoke out while getting up from the hospital bed which surprised her friends.

"Wait, are you going right now?! Are you sure about this? You still need to rest up for just a few more hours" Lion spoke back with concern while Hungry Tiger nodded in agreement; however, Dorothy smiled back while jumping up and down.

"It's okay. I'm okay now! My injuries weren't as bad as the others so I should be okay and speaking of the others, how are Zeb and the others doing? I hope they are doing well" Dorothy spoke back to Lion while doing stretches as she waited for a response from her friend.

"Oh, okay. I'm glad to hear that. Your friends are outside in the Emerald Gardens and they've been quite worried for you but we've told them that you should be alright" Lion responded while this made Dorothy smile warmly while she continued to stretch.

"That's wonderful and I should check up on them before me and Ozma depart for Gillikin Country. I don't wanna worry them anymore" Dorothy spoke back while walking toward the front door of the hospital wing which was followed by Ozma and the others following her along.

Dorothy and the gang walked across the corridors of the Emerald Palace until they reached the garden area and there was Oscar, Zeb, Betsy, Jim, and Eureka hanging out in the area.

"Dorothy! It's great to see you! We were worried that your injuries were gonna be worse than we thought but we're just glad you are okay!" Zeb spoke out to his cousin in relief while running over to give Dorothy a warm hug which was returned by Dorothy.

"Thank you, Zeb. It's great seeing you and the others again as well. It brings relief to see that everyone is okay as well" Dorothy spoke back to Zeb while looking over to see Betsy playing with Eureka while Oscar was sitting with Jim which made her smile as she waved and called at them to catch their attention.

"Hey guys! How was the recovery? I'm glad to see you guys doing well" Dorothy spoke out to Betsy and the others with joy as this was met with Betsy and Oscar's faces lighting up with relief as they quickly ran over to their friend.

"Friend! You're finally recovered! We were worried sick about you for the last two days but I'm glad you managed to recover" Betsy spoke back to her friend while hugging her while Oscar smiled at the two friends.

"It's been a while since I've stepped foot into the merry old Land of Oz. It feels like I've never left at all but I'm glad to see you well, Dorothy." Oscar spoke out to his friend while looking over to see Ozma and her friends approaching them.

"Indeed it has. I had to make sure the people didn't see you like this or otherwise people would panic that their former ruler was greatly injured" Ozma spoke out to Oscar while smiling as she looked over at Dorothy to make sure she was ready to see the Good Witch of the North.

"Dorothy, are you ready to see Locasta or do you need more time with your friends? I don't mind waiting so please take your time in doing so" Ozma asked Dorothy while waiting for an answer as she was met with her friend nodding her head in confirmation.

"I'm ready to head to Gillikin Country. I've been waiting to cross paths with Locasta once more so I'm ready whenever you are" Dorothy responded with a warm smile as she walked and stood next to Ozma indicating that both girls were ready to depart.

"Silver Shoes, Please take us to Gillikin Country!" Ozma commanded her silver shoes as a brilliant flash of light consumed both her and Dorothy before it quickly sent them to their destination while Oscar and the others watched with amazement.

"Goodbye, Ozma and Dorothy. I hope you can get the answers that you guys have been searching for and good luck!" Oscar spoke out to the two girls with hopes of them gaining knowledge of what they desired.

*Gillikin Country*

Dorothy and Ozma arrived at the purple country of Gillikin and the site was quite beautiful as everything including trees, flowers, small animals, and even some people was purple which Dorothy found to be beautiful.

"Wow, this country is quite beautiful. I don't even mind living in such a place" Dorothy spoke out in wonder while Ozma nodded in agreement.

"I agree, I visit her from time to time and the people are quite nice but let's not waste any more time and head to Locasta's palace. It's not far from here" Ozma advised Dorothy while pointing at the beautiful royal purple palace.

Locasta's palace was huge and rich in purple with a strong medieval feel to it. There were many turrets included that gave off quite the stunning look and this was a marvelous site for Dorothy.

"Locasta's palace is beautiful. I hope she can explain about the mark on my forehead.." Dorothy spoke out while following Ozma toward the palace and there, there stood two guards who appeared to be tall and threatening.

"Princess Ozma, It's a pleasure to see you. Do you have an appointment with Our Majesty, Locasta.." The tall guardsman spoke out while observing Dorothy very closely before looking back to see Ozma nodding in confirmation.

"It's last minute but yes, it concerns my good friend, Dorothy Gale of Kansas.." Ozma responded in a polite and formal tone which made the tall guardsman nod his head in approval before stepping aside to allow both girls to enter.

"I see. You may enter and I wish you and your friend the best of luck in your endeavors" The tall guardsman spoke out in a formal voice while he saw Dorothy and Ozma entering the palace as the doors closed behind them.

"This place reminds me of Glinda's palace.." Dorothy spoke out to herself while she continued to walk with Ozma across the main hallway of the palace and there, Locasta was sitting on her throne with the sweetest smile on her face as she gently got up from her throne.

"Why if it isn't Dorothy Gale! You've grown so big! How did you land up in Oz once more, my dear child" Locasta greeted Dorothy with joy as she saw the young girl running towards her with open arms.

"Locasta! Oh, how I've always wanted to see you again! If it wasn't for you then I would have been lost nearly six years ago but it's so great seeing you" Dorothy spoke back to Locasta while hugging her warmly which was returned by the Good Witch.

"Same for you, my dear child, and what brings you here to Oz once. Also, I see Princess Ozma is with you as well so it must be important." Locasta asked Dorothy in a curious voice while returning to her throne as she saw Ozma walking towards her.

"Good Afternoon, Locasta. It's a long story as to why Dorothy is in Oz but in short, an earthquake made Dorothy and her friends fall below the Earth, and things went wild from there and yes, it's quite important considering it could be tied to you" Ozma responded while gently touching Dorothy's forehead which contained an incomplete form of a star and this surprised Locasta as her face was that of shock.

"A-Star?! When did that appear? I don't recall giving her a star mark but rather a protection mark when I kissed her all those years ago; however, I might have an idea.." Locasta responded to Ozma while observing the incomplete star on Dorothy's forehead which made the girls even more curious.

"An idea.." Dorothy uttered with curiosity while seeing Locasta think to herself for a moment before the witch spoke out once more.

"That mark could be manifested from my kiss. The protection charm's power has been growing inside of you for the last five years. I assume that it could very well lead you to inherit some of my powers from my prime.." Locasta explained to Dorothy and this revelation shocked both girls greatly.

"I-Inherit?! What do you mean? The protection kiss may lead me to become a powerful good witch like you and Glinda in the future?" Dorothy asked Locasta with curiosity and shock in her voice as she was met with Locasta giving her a rather unsure look.

"That depends on you, my child. You have a human heart and therefore, you still can fall into the temptations of evil, greed, and other such horrible things. That can turn you into a very wicked witch such as Mombi whom I defeated many years ago.." Locasta answered back in a serious tone while Dorothy nodded her head in silence but was still looking at Locasta.

"I understand. If I truly will inherit some of your power then I will use it for good." Dorothy spoke back before smiling while Ozma watched everything unfolding.

"Interesting. Thank you for the information. I had a hunch it had something to do with you and I'm glad you were able to clarify that with us but we shall be going now. It was a pleasure to talk to you. I hope to have a longer conversation with you one of these days' ' Ozma spoke out to Locasta with a smile on her face while Dorothy nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much, Locasta. I hope we can cross paths again but until then, farewell" Dorothy spoke out to Locasta with a smile on her face for the last time as Ozma clicked her heels three times, and thus, the two girls were sent back to the Emerald City.

"Dorothy, please don't be tempted by your world. Such power for a young girl could either spell trouble or praise.." Locasta spoke out to herself with a worried voice; however, the good witch also knew that Dorothy was far stronger than anything, and with that, she knew she must have hope that Dorothy would someday use those powers to save not just Oz but the entire Earth itself…