(Reunion with Ozma)
*June 16th, 1906*
*Emerald City*
Everyone was happy to see Ozma after much effort to get to her while Dorothy ran up to hug Ozma before kissing her on the cheek.
"Ozma! It's wonderful to see you! We have much to discuss, but could you help my friend beforehand? His name is Button-Bright." Dorothy spoke to her friend warmly while looking over at the young boy, which made Ozma smile.
"Of course, I'll have Jellia Jamb take him to the fountain while we discuss my birthday party. How does that sound?" Ozma responded with a smile while kissing Dorothy back which made the young girl smile.
"Wonderful! Thank you so much!" Dorothy thanked Ozma before running over back to her friends with a huge smile on her face before speaking once more.
"Guys. This is Princess Ozma, my loving friend! I also must mention that I'm also a Princess as well! Isn't that great or what guys?" Dorothy spoke to her friends while introducing Ozma to the gang while everyone said their hellos to Ozma while Shaggy Man began to speak up.
"So you're Ozma, right? I'm Shaggy Man. It's a pleasure to meet you; however, I was wondering if I could work for you? I have no reason to return to Dorothy's world, my world" Shaggy Man asked Ozma while bowing and tipping his rat in respect as he waited for an answer from the princess and luckily, Ozma nodded her head in confirmation.
"So you are from Dorothy's world as well? It's a pleasure to meet you and of course, you are allowed to work for me and I've been watching over you as well so I'll find something that's suited for you, okay? Ozma advised Shaggy Man while the news pleased the gentleman as he let out a warm smile and began to thank Ozma.
"Thank you, I'll ensure that you and the people of the Emerald City are happy. This place makes me feel at home. The people, no money, and the simple kindness among men truly make me feel at home" Shaggy Man thanked Ozma with a smile on his face while Ozma smiled back.
"Wonderful, I'll look into what's more suited for you. I feel like you'll do great working with Woggle-Bug. He's very smart and you and he would make great friends' ' Ozma responded to Shaggy Man once more while walking closer to the gang before stopping in front of Polychrome, who appeared to be rather shy.
"H-Hello, I'm Polychrome, the daughter of King Rainbow. I-I hope we can be good friends in the future; however, I have one issue and It's me finding my father, I searched for days, but I couldn't find him.." Polychrome spoke to Ozma while bowing in respect as Ozma smiled back before speaking once more.
"I'm Ozma, nice to meet you. I invited your father and the rest of your family to my birthday party and I told them about your whereabouts as well so they are aware that you are with me" Ozma reassured Polychrome as she gently patted her on the shoulder which made the rainbow girl smile warmly.
"R-Really?! Thank you so much! I can't wait to see my father and sisters again! I'm also glad they know I'm safe and sound. It makes me happy so thank you once again" Polychrome thanked Ozma before hugging her warmly which was returned by the princess.
"Of course, don't mention it. I also was originally going to save you and the others from those troublesome Scoolders; however, I saw that you and Dorothy managed to escape along with your friends so I decided to continue watching but that reminds me.." Ozma spoke to Polychrome once more with a mixture of curiosity at Dorothy's power and joy at Polychrome being happy.
"O-Oh yeah, Dorothy was flying around. I assumed all humans could fly when needed but telling from your face, It could be something else.." Polychrome spoke to Ozma once more while the princess nodded in agreement.
"I'll talk to Dorothy about it but for now, let's discuss my birthday, and then we could take a tour around the Emerald City, how does that sound?" Ozma spoke to Polychrome yet again as this brought a smile to the rainbow girl's face while she nodded in agreement.
"Sounds wonderful!" Polychrome responded joyfully as she was filled with excitement to explore the city and the new surroundings.
Ozma smiled back before turning her direction to Dorothy as she walked toward her so she could talk with her next.
"Dorothy, how did you escape from the Scoolders? I know I've seen everything but I want to know things from your own words' ' Ozma asked Dorothy curiously before sitting on her throne, waiting for an answer.
"Well, an aura consumed me and before I knew it, I was able to fly out of the cave. It's strange because this has never happened to me before, but if I had a guess then maybe it was the star mark on my forehead that protected me.." Dorothy responded while touching the mark on her forehead while Ozma stared back with wonder before speaking once more.
"I see, well, I'm glad you are safe. I was originally going to use my silver shoes to save you and your friends from the Deadly Desert; however, Shaggy Man managed to do just that so I didn't interfere." Ozma responded with a smile while Dorothy smiled back as she chuckled.
"Honestly, I'm glad you didn't save us because I don't want to rely too much on you whenever we're in trouble or something but I'm still glad that you at least thought of doing something" Dorothy spoke to Ozma once more while the princess smiled back.
"How thoughtful; however, there is nothing wrong in seeking help from others so I won't mind one bit, but moving on. I also saw you talk with King Dox and make him promise that he'll come to my party, right? Did you also bump into King-A-Bray of Dunkition as well? Sorry if I missed that encounter, I was awfully busy during that time frame.." Ozma spoke to Dorothy once more in hopes of her friend answering yes to her question; however, Dorothy had shaken her head in denial.
"No, we've never bumped into him. I also don't know much about him as well, sorry" Dorothy responded while Ozma smiled back before speaking.
"Don't worry, I've already invited him and he promised to join. I'd figured that you would have truly made him go but I felt like he would have listened anyway, but I just wanted to know" Ozma responded with a smile while Dorothy began to speak.
"I see, well, how has Oscar been? I noticed that he never brought up what he did to you as a baby. Did you two manage to be on good terms when I was gone?" Dorothy asked Ozma curiously while her friend nodded in confirmation which made Dorothy feel relief.
"He did. Oscar apologized to me and gave me a gift as a way of feeling remorse. I told him that it wasn't his fault given that Mombi and the other evil witches threatened him, also, I'm not the one to hold grudges as well so I was quick to forgive him and explain the situation to him" Ozma responded while this made Dorothy sigh with relief as she smiled at her friend.
"I'm glad to hear that and that's all I ever wanted as well so it makes me happy seeing Oscar making amends for his actions" Dorothy spoke to Ozma once more as both girls shared a warm smile before this was interrupted by Jellia Jamb calling Ozma which prompted the girls to look over at the woman.
"Your majesty, I'm going to take Button-Bright to the fountain to restore his regular head, we won't be long now" Jellia Jamb spoke to Ozma while Button-Bright was next to her.
"Alright, don't be too long now since I want you and the boy to be a part of our discussion, okay? Don't get lost as well" Ozma advised Jellia while seeing her and Button-Bright heading toward the exit, thus leaving the palace which made Dorothy smile once more.
"Button-Bright is going to be back to normal. I bet he's one happy person right now although, I hope Ozma can find his parents.." Dorothy thought to herself while looking over to see Shaggy Man approaching them with the love magnet in hand which made her curious.
"Excuse me, Princess Ozma. I have a confession to make since I'm going to be a resident of this beautiful city.." Shaggy Man spoke to Ozma with a hint of guilt in his voice while Dorothy and Ozma raised their eyebrows in curiosity.
"Speak now, I'm all ears.." Ozma responded while waiting for whatever Shaggy Man was going to say.
"I-I stole this love magnet, your majesty…" Shaggy Man confessed and this revelation shocked Dorothy as she placed her hands over her mouth.
"Shaggy Man! How dreadful! You told me that an Eskimo gave you it, you lied to me.." Dorothy spoke in surprise and shock while Shaggy Man nodded with shame.
"Correct, that was a falsehood. I was afraid you were going to think of me as a thief and would abandon me so I came up with this falsehood…I'm sorry." Shaggy Man responded to Dorothy while Ozma sat up and began to speak.
"Why did you steal it?' Ozma asked Shaggy Man curiously as the old man began to respond.
"Because I wasn't loved or cared for. I wanted to be loved a great deal. It was owned by a girl in Butterfield who was loved too much amongst her peers. The young men would get into fights to win her love. This would make her unhappy for most of her life; however, I managed to steal it from her and only one young man continued to love her, and she married him and regained her happiness" Shaggy Man explained to Ozma and Dorothy as this story surprised them.
"Wow, I never knew such a thing would make people fight over someone but at least she doesn't have to worry about that; however, I will forgive you for lying but please tell the truth next time" Dorothy advised Shaggy Man before hugging him which made the old man smile back at his friend.
"Dorothy is right, telling the truth will always set you free. But I must ask you a question, did you feel sorry for stealing it?" Ozma spoke to Shaggy Man as well while waiting for an answer from him.
"Oh no! I'm only guilty of lying to Dorothy about it! It has pleased me greatly to be loved. If Dorothy never cared about me I would have never joined her and if I never joined her then I would have never discovered the Emerald City and its beautiful people. I promise to be very kind amongst the people of Oz" Shaggy Man responded while Dorothy made a rather comedic face of shock while on the other hand, Ozma smiled back.
"And with your honesty and good character. I shall officially allow you to remain in Oz. where kindness forever reigns supreme for all eternity" Ozma spoke to Shaggy Man once more with a smile while she saw the old man smile back.
"Then I shall give up the love magnet and allow Dorothy to have it.." Shaggy Man spoke once more while handing over the object to Dorothy; however, the young girl quickly rejected the offer.
"No thanks, I don't want boys or girls fighting over me" Dorothy spoke in rejection while placing her hand in front of the object which made Tin Woodman laugh as he was listening to the entire ordeal.
"And besides, everyone loves Dorothy as it is so I believe that things would remain the same" Tin Woodman spoke out while gently patting Dorothy on the back which made her smile.
Ozma watched the events unfold as she suddenly came up with an idea of what to do with the love magnet.
"I got it! We shall hang it over the gates of the Emerald City. So that whoever enters or leaves the city shall feel loved when or wherever they might go!" Ozma suggested to her friends joyfully while everyone smiled back and nodded.
"That's a great idea! I can agree to it with all of my heart!" Shaggy Man spoke once to Ozma in agreement.
And with that, everyone's hearts were still as close as ever; however, the journey wasn't over yet as Ozma's birthday celebration still needed to happen.