(Crossing the Deadly Desert)
*June 15th, 1906*
*Deadly Desert*
Dorothy and Polychrome stood in happiness after reading the sign while jumping up and down with joy.
"But, how do you cross it? If anyone touches the desert then they'll turn into dust and die. What shall we do?" Polychrome asked Dorothy curiously while seeing her friend having the same look of confusion as well.
"I don't know but it seems we'll have to wait until the morning so we may as well sleep in this place for the remainder of our time." Dorothy answered back while walking over to Shaggy Man and Button-Bright with Polychrome following her along.
"I see, we should get some sleep. We've been up all day so wasting our energy at this point won't do us any good" Polychrome responded while continuing to walk with her friend before resting on the ground while Dorothy slumped over on a tree before yawning.
"I agree, It seems that Shaggy Man and Button-Bright are fast asleep. Today must have been exhausting for them, just like for me and you" Dorothy spoke to Polychrome once more while looking over to see Toto running toward which made the young girl smile as she allowed the dog to sleep beside her while Polychrome watched.
"Do you remember the last time you crossed the desert? If you've been to Oz then surely you found a way to cross the Deadly Desert with little to zero problem" Polychrome asked Dorothy curiously while pointing at the desert that was nearby before turning back to her friend, waiting for an answer.
"I've crossed the desert four times throughout my adventures here. The first time was the tornado six years ago which carried my house across the desert, the second time was when the silver shoes sent me home, the third time was Ozma taking me across it with her magic carpet, and finally, the silver shoes once again took me home" Dorothy explained to Polychrome while the rainbow girl nodded in an understanding way before speaking once more.
"So it was magic, right? I wish my father would come for me. I would have shown you and the others my home while we crossed the desert but alas.." Polychrome spoke to her friend once more while resting her head on her fist before making a pouty face in the process.
"Maybe you should ask your father that. I would love to meet your older sisters one of these days.." Dorothy spoke back before her face quickly lightened up in surprise which made Polychrome curious while the young girl began to speak once more.
"Wait! We can invite your father and sisters to Ozma's birthday party? Once we get to Emerald City, I can ask Ozma and see if you and the others can come to the party. It's gonna be fun" Dorothy spoke to Polychrome once more but with more excitement in her voice as she let out a joyful face while Polychrome smiled back.
"R-Really?! That would be wonderful. I never had any friends before so this is all new to me but thank you for the offer. It means a lot to me" Polychrome responded while maintaining her warm smile which made Dorothy smile even more.
"Of course, anything for my friends." Dorothy spoke once more while both girls shared a warm smile and, for the remainder of the night, the girls eventually fell asleep.
*June 16th, 1906*
The next morning arrived with Dorothy and the gang eating apples from the trees for breakfast while thinking of ways to cross the desert.
"So, does anyone have any way of crossing this pesky desert? I can't figure out any other options' ' Dorothy asked her friends before taking a bite from her apple and brushing her hair while Button-Bright shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't Know. I can't think of anything" Button-Bright simply responded while continuing to stare at the vast desert while Polychrome had a look of worry on her face; however, Shaggy Man remained faithful in the quest as he pulled out his love magnet.
"Don't lose hope! I can call upon a special friend who loves me, simply because I own the love magnet" Shaggy Man spoke to his friends with confidence while Dorothy grew curious at the revelation she heard before walking over to her friend.
"What do you mean? No one out here could help us sadly. We would need a telephone if we want to contact someone but I guess anything goes in the Land of Oz '' Dorothy spoke out with curiosity yet confusion while seeing the man holding the love magnet in the air.
"Dear Johnny Dooit, come to me. I need you bad as bad can be!" Shaggy Man cried out while Dorothy and the others watched in confusion as suddenly, a bearded man appeared out of nowhere which surprised everyone but Shaggy Man.
"Where did he come from? He just showed up out of nowhere? How strange.." Dorothy thought to herself while watching Johnny Dooit walking toward his old friend with a smile on his face.
"Here I am but you shouldn't say you need me badly, because I'm always good and here to help in any shape or way I could" Johnny Dooit advised Shaggy Man before shaking hands with his longtime friend.
"Greetings, Old Friend. We need some help in crossing the desert but it seems that we have no way of doing so, also, if we cross the desert on foot then we all die" Shaggy Man spoke to his friend while pointing at the vast desert which made Johnny Dooit's eyes widened with surprise as he thought to himself for a few moments before coming up with a solution.
"I see. Well, you must ride in a sandboat, which has runners like a sled and sails like a ship! Today is windy so the winds shall blow the currents across the desert, thus saving everyone the trouble of crossing it" Johnny Dooit responded cheerfully which made Dorothy and the other's faces light up with joy.
"Wonderful, where is the sandboat?" Dorothy asked the old man with a smile while waiting for an answer as the old man began to speak.
"Don't worry, my child. I shall make you one.." Johnny Dooit responded before opening up his suitcase which consisted of many tools, objects, knickknacks, and other such things that amazed Polychrome.
"W-Wooow! You have so much wonderful stuff! No wonder you're good friends with Shaggy Man. You just seem very helpful" Polychrome complimented the old man while she saw him getting straight to work in the process.
"Of course! I always appear randomly to help others in need! That's how I met my good friend…" Johnny Dooit responded cheerfully before quickly getting to work on building the sandboat and while doing so, he began to sing a song.
"The only way to do a thing is to do it when you can, and do it cheerfully, and sing, and work, and think and plan. The only real unhappy one is he who dares to shrink; The only really happy one is he who cares to work." Johnny Dooit sang out while working on the boat with such speed and eventually, he was finished in completing the boat much to the amazement of Dorothy and the others.
"Woow! That boat looks wonderful, thank you so much. We'll never forget your kindness" Dorothy spoke to the old man while giving him a handshake, followed by Polychrome doing the same thing.
"Thank you as well. You've truly helped us and I will never forget your kindness. "Of course, just sail the boat toward whatever direction you desire and all shall be well but until then, farewell!" Johnny Dooit spoke back to the girls for the final time before quickly disappearing in the sand altogether along with his suitcase
"Darn it! We didn't get the chance to say goodbye.." Shaggy Man pondered in defeat while getting on the ship along with Button-Bright following him.
"Well, just like the rainbow, he doesn't have time to sit in one place so perhaps he's in some other part of Earth, helping others in need" Polychrome responded while getting in the boat along with Dorothy, who was helping Toto get in.
"Yes, you are correct. Johnny Dooit is a very busy man so our meetings are always short but a little goodbye wouldn't hurt now and then." Shaggy Man responded once more while looking out to see the vast desert before hearing Dorothy's voice.
"Okay, we should head east. That should be the way to Emerald City!" Dorothy advised her friend before being met with a nod from Shaggy Man as he began to sail the boat in the direction he was told.
The sailboat began to sail full speed across the desert much to the happiness of our heroes.
"We did it! But we must be careful to not fall or else it's all over for us.." Dorothy warned her friends sternly while continuing to see the sandboat making progress across the desert.
Things seemed to be going well; however, she noticed Polychrome having a worried expression on her face, and right before she was gonna speak..
"Look out! Go slowly or we'll smash right into those rocks!" Polychrome cried out with a worried expression on her face which quickly alerted Dorothy as the young girl ran over to Shaggy Man; however, he seemed to have been tangled in the ropes.
"D-Dang nabbit! I've been tangled in some rope.." Shaggy Man uttered out in defeat which caused Dorothy to make a poker face.
"W-What.." Dorothy uttered in shock before taking one final look at the impending rocks as the boat crashed into the rocks.
The boat crashed into the rocks thus sending our heroes flying across the final pieces of the Deadly Desert, followed by their screams before the gang came crashing down on a grassy field.
"W-Well..we're here..I think.." Shaggy Man spoke while groaning to himself before slowly getting up alongside Dorothy and Polychrome while also feeling Toto biting his beard.
"That was scary! I never want to do something like this ever again, how frightening indeed.." Polychrome uttered while still recovering from the experience while Dorothy nodded in agreement before speaking to Shaggy Man.
"It must be some part of Oz but not the Emerald City.." Dorothy responded while seeing Button-Bright's fox head stuck on the ground which prompted her to walk over and help him escape the hole by pulling him out.
"Let's search and see if there are any people around here, surely there has to be someone.." Shaggy Man responded while Dorothy looked around her surroundings to see everything yellow which made her smile.
"We must be in Winkie Country! That's where my friend, Tin Woodman lives! This means we're close to the Emerald City" Dorothy responded cheerfully while this made Shaggy Man confused at this information.
"Well, there are four parts to the Land of Oz. We have the North Country, which is purple and home to the Gillikins. The East Country is home to the Munchkins, which is blue, and finally, we have the West Country, which is where the Winkies live" Dorothy explained while Shaggy Man nodded his head.
"I see, very fascinating.." Shaggy Man responded while Dorothy smiled.
"I was surprised when I found out for the first time but we should get going now and find any winkies" Dorothy spoke to her friend once more which was followed by Shaggy Man nodding in an understanding way.
The gang continued to walk across the beautiful Winkie Country for quite some time before stumbling upon two figures standing before them on the road which made Dorothy smile greatly and it was none other than Tik-Tok and Billina.
"Well, why if it isn't Dorothy! Sorry for missing your last visit but it's wonderful seeing you again!" Billina greeted Dorothy cheerfully while Tik-Tik tipped his metal hat in respect.
"It's you guys! I missed you both so much! I have plenty to tell you two.." Dorothy responded cheerfully as she was happy to see her two friends once more before running over to hug Tik-Tok warmly.
"Oh! I'm so glad to see you guys again!" Dorothy spoke with joy to her friends warmly while this made Tik-Tok smile back.
"Wel-come back to Oz, m-my d-ear f-riend.." Tik-Tok responded warmly before hugging his friend back while feeling joy that Dorothy was finally back in Oz.
After a long journey, our heroes are one step closer to arriving at the wonderful Emerald City.
