(Preparations for Ozma's Party)

*June 20th, 1906*

*Emerald Gardens*

It was a beautiful sunny day; a few days had passed since Dorothy and her friends arrived at Emerald City, and it was one day before Ozma's birthday party as Dorothy and Shaggy Man were setting up the party outside of the garden.

"I'm sure Ozma will love what we planned for her. I just know it. " Dorothy spoke to Shaggy Man while setting up the birthday banner on the palace walls while her friend nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure of it! Ozma will be most surprised when she finds out, but speaking of her. Where is she?" Shaggy Man responded while helping Dorothy hang up the banner as he waited for a response from his friend.

"Ozma is out on her usual duties, so we won't have to worry about her finding out about the surprise party or anything." Dorothy responded with a smile as she and Shaggy Man finished hanging up the banner, causing them to move on to the next task, which was setting up the presents.

"I see; even with her birthday on the horizon, she still has to attend to duties. I wonder if they're important, but I guess that it is rather important," Shaggy Man spoke to Dorothy once more as he began to pick up the wrapped presents that were sitting by the palace walls and walked over to the tree, placing them on the ground while Dorothy followed suit.

"It's most likely important. Ozma's royal duties usually consist of overseeing potential wars, threats, coups, and other things that might threaten Oz itself." Dorothy responded while placing the presents on the ground before seeing Shaggy Man nodding understandingly before speaking.

"I see. That sounds like quite the job, and my respect for Ozma has grown after hearing that. I hope the people of Oz can continue to experience peace without the fears of war, unlike the people from our world.." Shaggy Man spoke to Dorothy with a hint of seriousness while feeling the cold breeze run through him, which he found refreshing.

"I hope for the same as well, but there are also people within Oz who oppose the idea of people living in peace and harmony, regardless of who they are, and such people are the Wicked Witches of the West and East, Mombi, Princess Aurora, Nome King, and other such terrible people; however, as you said, as long as there are people in Oz who are in the right mind and will stand against injustice than peace will forever reign in Oz" Dorothy responded before smiling which was followed by Shaggy Man smiling back.

"That is true. I just hope this moment of peace can last.." Shaggy Man spoke to Dorothy once more as this tender moment between them was quickly interrupted by a familiar voice calling upon them, and it was Scarecrow himself, which surprised Dorothy.

"Dorothy! It's wonderful to see you again. I've heard you've decided to pay us another visit! How have things been for you?" Scarecrow greeted his longtime friend with joy as he and Dorothy ran over to hug each other.

"Scarecrow! It's wonderful to see you once more, and you look stunning! Did you get a new makeover? I'm curious to know" Dorothy greeted her friend back before releasing herself from the hug as she observed Scarecrow's new look.

Scarecrow's new look was a blue attire filled with straw; he wore a blue hat that matched his stunning outfit.

"Yes, I did. My straw and body are stuffed with Oz's strongest and loveliest oat straw, and I had my face touched up by the Munchkin Farmer who created me" Scarecrow responded with a confident voice and smile while showcasing his updated body, which made Dorothy smile.

"I'm glad to hear that. I also have a good friend you should meet: Shaggy Man. I met him back in Kansas, and he's been nice to me ever since," Dorothy responded joyfully while introducing Scarecrow to her friend as she motioned her hands to allow him to see Shaggy Man.

"I'm Shaggy Man. I didn't know scarecrows were common in the Land of Oz; however, It's a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we can become great friends or co-workers at the least," Shaggy Man greeted Scarecrow as both of them shocked hands together with smiles on their faces as Dorothy smiled at the exchange.

"Scarecrow used to be King of Oz, and he's pretty popular these days, so expect many people to surround him all the time," Dorothy said, smiling.

"Dorothy, do you plan on inviting Betsy and Zeb? I believe it would be nice for them to attend Ozma's party tomorrow, and even Lion and Hungry Tiger are attending as well, so it would be a grand time if all of our friends participated," Scarecrow asked Dorothy curiously as this quickly made the young girl's eyes lit up in joy and surprise.

"Betsy and Zeb?! Why didn't I think of them? I'm sure both of them would happily attend the party. I just have to wait until Ozma is done with her daily duties; then, I can have her use the silver shoes to take me to Betsy and Zeb, and I'll ask them from there," Dorothy responded joyfully before quickly running toward the palace to await Ozma's return.

At the same time, Scarecrow and Shaggy Man smiled as they watched their friend running toward the palace before eventually following her along.

Dorothy ran toward the palace entrance and entered inside, where Polychrome, Toto, and Button-Bright, who managed to regain his human head, sat.

"Oh, Dorothy. Ozma will be out at any moment. Jellia just informed us on the matter, but in the meantime, let's relax before Ozma comes out of her workroom," Polychrome advised Dorothy in a whispered voice while Button-Bright waved at his friend.

"I'm glad to hear that. I have something important that I got to tell her" Dorothy responded while walking over to sit down on the coaches.

Scarecrow and Shaggy Man also entered the room after following Dorothy as both sat down, Scarecrow sitting next to Button-Bright. In contrast, Shaggy Man sat on the couch next to where Dorothy was sitting.

"And what's your name? You must be another one of Dorothy's friends. I'm Scarecrow; nice to meet you," Scarecrow greeted Button-Bright politely as he and Button-Bright shook hands before the young boy began to speak.

"B-Button Bright. My papa always said I was bright as a button, and mama always called me Button-Bright" Button-Bright responded in a shy but polite manner while Scarecrow smiled back before patting him on the back.

"I see; perhaps you are lost and searching for your parents and home, correct? If so, I hope you can get home safely," Scarecrow responded once more as this seemed to make the young boy smile before speaking.

"T-Thank you. I-I hope s-so as well.." Button-Bright responded politely as this conversation between them made Dorothy smile.

The next few minutes passed with nothing going on until, finally, Ozma stepped outside her workroom with many of her advisors walking outside to go about their way.

"Good Afternoon, my good friends. My apologies for the long wait, but I'm now available to discuss my birthday tomorrow and the guests attending." Ozma spoke to her friend, which lifted everyone's spirits as everyone got up.

"Ozma! How did the meeting go? I want to tell you something, so I hope you have time for what I say." Dorothy spoke to Ozma with joy while running over to hug her friend and kiss her on the cheek while Ozma hugged and kissed her back.

"My meetings went well. Thank you for asking, and please ask away. You're my dearest friend, so I'm all ears." Ozma responded while waiting for whatever Dorothy wanted to tell her about.

"I was thinking of inviting Betsy and Zeb to the party. I'm sure they'll be delighted to hang out with me again, so I was wondering if you have the time to take the silver shoes to their respective places so I could invite them." Dorothy asked Ozma, hoping to hear good news from her friend. Luckily, Ozma nodded her head with a smile.

"Of course! Zeb and Betsy were your cousins and friends, right? I can happily invite them over, and perhaps you want them here now, right?" Ozma responded while Dorothy nodded in confirmation before smiling with joy.

"I'm glad! I also don't mind Zeb and Betsy spending the night as well since this gives them more time to get to know my friends better" Dorothy responded in a joyful manner, which made Ozma smile even more.

"Wonderful! I shall send you to Betsy since she lives the closest to you. I wish you safe travels, and tell Betsy I said Hello." Ozma advised Dorothy before clicking her heels three times to perform the task at hand.

"I will! I'll see you and everyone else real soon! I just have some business to take care of " Dorothy responded while getting ready to visit Betsy.

"Silver Shoes, I command you to take Dorothy Gale of Kansas to Betsy Bobbin!" Ozma commanded her silver shoes as a brilliant flash of light consumed Dorothy before whisking her away to Betsy's location.

*Kansas*

Dorothy appeared to be dropped off at a rather busy market, which surprised her.

The market was filled with many people, vegetables, and fruits as many stood in long lines to buy whatever food they needed.

"Gosh, I think Betsy is out shopping, but I must find her before she leaves, and I'll be lost.." Dorothy muttered to herself before navigating the busy market, politely getting through many people until finally, she saw Betsy buying fruit from one of the vendors, which made her happy.

"Betsy! It's me, Dorothy! Long Time no see!" Dorothy greeted Betsy from afar, and this surprised Betsy as she turned around with a look of surprise after seeing her friend.

"D-Dorothy?! What brings you here?! Are you shopping with your Aunt Em and Uncle Henry? It's also nice to see you, " Betsy responded surprisedly before hugging her friend.

"It's a long story, but tomorrow is Ozma's birthday, and I was wondering if you could come. I plan on inviting Zeb as well so we can all have a good time tomorrow," Dorothy said to her friend kindly, as this made Betsy's eyes widen with surprise and joy.

"O-Ozma's birthday is tomorrow, and you are just telling me?! Of course, I would like to come, but how will I explain to my parents about going to some fairyland? They'll find me crazy" Betsy responded excitedly while waiting for a response as Dorothy began to speak.

"Well, we don't have to bring up Oz; however, if they ask us questions, then we can say it's at Ozma's house that's somewhere in Kansas" Dorothy responded while Betsy nodded in agreement.

"Good point; however, since you were in Oz for a few days, we should pay your Uncle Henry and Aunt Em a visit so they won't get too worried about you" Betsy responded while Dorothy didn't seem too worried.

"Don't worry. Uncle Henry is visiting relatives in Australia while Aunt Em is at her book club, so I have the house to myself" Dorothy responded once more while Betsy sighed in relief before speaking again.

"Oooh, that's great to hear; however, we should get going now. I don't want to worry my parents or anything.

"The walk from here to my home is around ten minutes, so I hope you don't mind," Betsy responded as she and Dorothy began walking away from the market and toward her home.

"I don't mind at all. I must tell you about my current adventure in Oz because so much has happened!" Dorothy responded joyfully as both girls shared a smile.

Both girls began their walk and were excited about Ozma's upcoming party and whatever awaited them.