There's No Place Like Home ch.12

[Midge-14]

A/N: Here?s the latest chapter for the New Year! Let?s hope this year goes well. Lots of love and huggles to all my faithful readers and thank you for all the wonderful reviews you have given to this day *huggles*. I can now begin to see the finish line for this story in the distance so let?s keep going full steam ahead. No really I promise I?ll work harder on those updates.

<b>Previous Chapters:</b>
1: Moving to Kansas
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9490">Part I</a> , <A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9498">Part II</a>
2: Taking Him Away
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9517">Part I</a> , <A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9528">Part II</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9542">3: Good Witches and Bad Witches</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9646">4: The Yellow Brick Road</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9683">5: Glass Eyes</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9737">6. Hunted</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9769">7. The Cowardly Lion</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9823">8. Across The Poppy Field</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9871">9. Lost in a Mirage</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... t=9872">10. Shadow</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... t=9934">11. The Emerald City</a>

<hr>

<center>CHAPTER XII ? Ultimatum</center>

Relena?s fingers stretched out and sought the reassurance of soft fur before she dared to open her eyes. She turned her head to the side and smiled in relief as Toto tilted his head at her. She rose and brushed her hair behind her shoulders, her eyes still on him all the while.

?It feels like so long since I slept in a real bed,? She sighed, breaking free of his gaze to stare at the room around her.

Toto?s silence brought back the events of yesterday to her mind and she turned to give him a suspicious stare. ?I suppose I shall have to keep a close eye on you from now on??

?Wuff,? He padded over to her and put his paw on her hand with something of an apology. He seemed to realise perhaps how much worry and trouble he had caused her then, she hoped. Turning her head away, Relena pretended to be upset. Toto whined in response and she felt guilty. She had slept well leaving her feeling refreshed and more alive, that was the reason for the sudden playfulness.

?Let?s go and find the others,? She winked to show she was teasing. Toto?s ears lifted and he followed her as she slid off the bed and made for the door.

?Aha! Look who?s finally awake,? Scarecrow turned to greet her from where he stood on the balcony.

Relena blinked in surprise at him, ?Was I asleep for too long??

He lowered his head so his straw hat covered all but his grin, and crossed his arms. ?You slept the rest of yesterday away and didn?t stir once through the night. It was cause you were tired though,? He patted her head kindly to show it was all right. ?Mister sentinel over there though hasn?t slept at all.? Scarecrow?s grin widened, ?He?s been standing by your door all this time.?

Relena stared over her shoulder curiously at Tinman who was leaning by the wall of the door casually, eyes shut. They opened slowly, ?I was watching the stars,? He said indifferently and walked off without a backward glance.

Relena parted her lips slightly and watched him walk away, hands fisted at his sides and his back straight. She fought back the flush in her cheeks as she remembered the night underneath the trees of the Nevenmere.

?Tinman says some strange things sometimes,? Scarecrow said with a whisper, ?I think he enjoys being mysterious.?

?Hmm,? Relena agreed silently.

?Are we really going to see the Wizard today Relena??

Relena turned in surprise at Scarecrow to see him looking up towards the spires of the Emerald City. He had a faraway look in his eyes. ?I would hope so,? She said, following his gaze. ?Why do you sound so uncertain about it? Don?t you want your wish??

?I do,? Scarecrow lowered his head, ?I just?? He paused for a moment. ?Have you ever had that bad feeling telling you it just can?t be that easy? Like when you think you?ve got it good but things never seem to work out.? He said darkly.

Relena raised her eyebrows in question, ?What do you mean??

Scarecrow?s expression lightened and he gave an embarrassed laugh, rubbing the back of his head. ?Nothing nothing! I?m just you know, rambling on as I always do.?

Relena blinked.

?Well come on then,? He took her hand and strode off with a bounce in his step, Toto keeping up behind them. ?We can?t stand here talking all day, we have to have breakfast and then get moving. There?s a Wizard to see today.?

He steered her into the dining hall packed with various Sweepers who spared them an interested glance before returning to their meals. Tinman and Howard were sitting at one of the tables in the corner, Lion sat on the ground beside them, his body being too large to squeeze in between the bench and the table.

?There you are,? Lion peered at Toto, ?Where did you run off to yesterday??

Toto blinked and stared at him carefully, noting the suspicion in his gaze. In fact, there was an air of curiosity towards him coming from all of them and yet no one seemed to voice it out loud. He lifted his head to Relena who was taking a seat while greeting Howard and decided to leap up on the bench beside her to escape scrutiny. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lion shake his head and give up on him, to his relief.

?Have yourself some breakfast and then we?ll head out to the Emerald Palace,? Howard leaned back casually. ?It?s a fair walk from here, being in the centre of the city, and I figure you don?t want to be wasting any more time.?

?No,? Relena agreed, filling a bowl of porridge and placing it on the bench beside her for Toto before filling one for herself. While they ate, Howard pulled out a long dark cloak from the sack on the floor beside him and handed it to Tinman. He took it slowly, questioning Howard with his eyes.

?Everyone?s okay to walk around the city except you,? Howard explained, ?I know not a lot of people know all about J but it isn?t exactly a secret. It?s safer if you disguise yourself and then we won?t have to run the risk of explaining ourselves and causing suspicion. If you wear this, you?ll pass off as a human since you?re already shaped like one.?

Tinman?s hand tightened around the cloak and he nodded his head rigidly as Howard patted his shoulder. ?Even with a heart, will I ever be accepted?? He muttered.

?Yes you will,? Relena chipped in brightly. When he looked at her in surprise she cocked her head at him, ?Soon everyone will be able to see that you?re actually very kind.?

He continued to watch her with a stunned expression as she pushed her bowl away and stood up. ?And that you?re very thoughtful,? She tugged Scarecrow?s hat down lightly. ?And that you?re quite brave,? She poked Lion?s nose gently.

?Now you?re making fun,? Lion rubbed his nose indignantly.

?No,? She laughed, ?I?m perfectly serious. Let?s go make our wishes come true.?

<center>~~~+~~~</center>

They left the Sweeper compound and headed into the heart of the city straight away. The streets were busy with people yet no one so much as blinked an eyelid at them. Relena thought Lion would have attracted some attention, since he stuck out like a sore thumb among the people, but they passed by as if he were merely a pet cat. Lion noticed her confusion.

?The people here have long been used to the company of lions and, even though I am the last of my kind, I believe they will always be,? He announced rather proudly. ?It is a relationship that has been in existence for so long that it is ingrained into the society. They would however, notice him in an instant.? Lion pointed a claw at Tinman.

Tinman glared at Lion but under the darkness of his hood, only the flash of his glass eyes were seen briefly before they disappeared.

?At first, only humans lived in the Emerald City,? Howard started, eager to be given a chance to talk about his beloved home. ?But during the rise of the Wicked Witch of the West many sought refuge from her terror within the city. Now if you look closely you will see that not all who walk by are human.?

Relena raised her eyebrows, surely she wouldn?t have missed such a thing? She glanced around and couldn?t see anything but humans walking by. Then she spotted a strange girl wearing a dress of many colours and something seemed odd about the way she was walking. On closer inspection, Relena gasped, the girl was nothing but a living, walking patchwork doll! Glancing to the side, Relena also suddenly spotted a guy with a pumpkin for a head?she was amazed. Now she couldn?t miss them anywhere; Living animated objects and creatures she had never seen before blended in with the crowd like magic. They were few among the humans but Relena guessed there still must be a significant number of them.

?Now you understand why no one notices us?? Howard laughed. ?This way. We need to head up.?

They began to climb one of the staircases twisting around a tower and stepped off onto one of the giant walkways that connected it to other towers. They had barely begun walking along it before they had to climb another set of stairs to a higher level. Relena soon became lost among the network of stairs and walkways and was glad Howard knew where he was going. She could feel Toto?s soft body bumping now and then against her leg. He had remained close to her throughout the start of their journey. Perhaps it was from worry of losing them among the crowds? Relena glanced down but Toto seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts and she didn?t feel like disturbing him.

They were now on the highest walkway where above them, the Emerald towers reached for the sky and below them, they could now see over the very walls of the city. It was only when they began to traverse the full length of the platform that Relena began to appreciate how long the walkways were. They had crossed a fair way and were on a suspended part between two towers when the sharp blare of a horn rang out loud and clear. The party stopped in their tracks.

?What is that?? Relena turned to ask Howard and was shocked to see that he had gone still, his face pale beyond recognition.

?Enemy by the South wall!? The call went up among the city. Different horns began to sound and from their vantage point, Relena could see swarms of activity along the walls. Men wearing forest green uniforms with matching helms began to cluster along the top of the wall. Her gaze wandered beyond and she saw the stark land which she recognised as the field of poppies. On the horizon there was a dark line, like an obscure fog hugging the ground.

Howard wasted no time and whipped out a small rod from the pocket of his shirt, extending it. He peered through and gasped in shock, ?Woah! I can?t believe it!?

?What?s going on?? Scarecrow piped up.

?Take a look for yourselves,? Howard glumly handed the telescope over, his thick brows furrowing. One by one they all looked through and silently passed it on. When it came to Relena, She directed it at the fog on the horizon like the others. Hundreds of animals of all shapes and sizes stood in a line which struck her as odd for a number of reasons. Firstly, they were all grey regardless of what animal they were; a dull grey that gleamed in the sun. Secondly, there were hundreds and hundreds of them standing still in perfect formation. Relena felt sick to her stomach as she realised what they were.

The witch had sent an army of tin to the Emerald city.

Toto pawed Relena?s leg for attention and she reached down to pick him up automatically. He strained forward to look through the telescope too but Relena handed it back to Howard, oblivious of his intentions. He growled under his breath in frustration and focused on Howard for information.

Howard seemed agitated and peered through the telescope again to confirm what he had seen. ?This is bad,? He murmured, ?Real bad. They?re just standing there waiting to attack and they?re out of range for our guns too.?

The people in the city had become hushed and silent after the warning. Without knowing what had been spotted beyond the wall, they waited with bated breaths for signs of attack.

?WITCH!? Screamed someone in warning. It was unclear where the call had come from but it was louder than any horn and was voiced with pure fear. It echoed as the cry was taken up by others and chaos erupted as people panicked. Above in the sky, the figure of a woman could be seen circling on her broom, her pointed hat easily identifiable. Relena could almost feel the witch?s enjoyment at the screams of fear she caused as she flew over, her eyes roving every inch of the city.

?Relena!? Scarecrow grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back. Someone caught her and an arm slipped around her waist, drawing her under the cover of a cloak. Relena blinked up at Tinman but his face was tilted upwards, his eyes flashing fiercely as he hid her from prying eyes. Lion and Scarecrow moved closer and huddled beside him.

She clutched Toto close and felt a lump in her throat, they?re protecting me.

?I know you?re down there,? Une said coolly, her voice booming down to all receiving ears below. ?I?ve come to deliver an ultimatum.?

?What?s her game now?? Scarecrow muttered.

?My army stands on the outskirts of the city, waiting for my command to attack.? She raised her voice. ?Surrender yourself and the command need never pass my lips. I?m sure you don?t want to cause any unnecessary bloodshed do you??

Relena closed her eyes painfully and burrowed deeper into Tinman?s cloak, hoping to shut those terrible words out.

?All you have to do is leave the city and in return I will spare it. You have till dawn to make your decision.? A slow smile spread across her face. ?People of the Emerald City, your fate rests in the hands of a single girl and the decision she makes.?

With a sharp cackle, Une?s broomstick began to issue great streams of smoke. She flew it with great sweeping strides, weaving the words, ?Surrender Relena? in the air.

?Till dawn my pretty,? Were her last words.

Relena heard her name whispered among the crowds that had clustered together on the walkway. Suspicious eyes glanced around but no one knew who she was, or could recognise her. She saw the uncertainty in their eyes, the confusion caused by Une?s demands and the fear of war looming on the horizon. She hung her head, her eyes welling with unshed tears; she was the one responsible for this.

?What shall we do?? Someone cried.

?Who is this Relena??

?We must go to the Wizard, he will help!?

?The Wizard doesn?t exist!?

?Citizens let there be order, there is no need to panic,? A voice echoed out from above them. Everyone craned their necks to the highest towers in the city where a man barely visible spoke through a loudspeaker.

?That?s the voice of the General of the Emerald Army,? Said Howard in recognition.

?Preparations are being made; all Emerald guards have been placed on duty. Investigations shall be made to find this ?Relena?.? The General paused for a second. ?I have also been informed that the Wizard is holding conference with himself on this and has matters well in hand!?

Shocked whispers rose among the crowd at the mention of the Wizard. Immediately, things somewhat calmed down. People were still afraid, but the thought that there was someone handling the problem, someone who would protect them, reassured them enough.

?We must keep the situation under control and remain calm.? The General finished. ?Believe in us for we will fight back with all our strength and protect the city!?

A cheer rose up among the crowds. ?Come,? Howard said, his serious face making him seem suddenly old and frail. ?We must continue.?

Relena snapped her head up and gaped at him, ?How?how can you say that?? She pulled away from Tinman?s cloak and stood in front of him pointing at the sky. ?The witch just threatened to attack the Emerald City!?

?Aye,? Howard said heavily, ?I?ll see you all safely to the palace and then get back to the walls and rally the men.?

Relena recoiled in shock, ?How can I even think of going to see the Wizard now? You expect me to condemn all these people to death and put my own needs first?? She shook her head frantically, ?No no no, I have to give myself up?I have no choice.? She stepped back.

?Wait!? Scarecrow grabbed her arm frantically, ?She?s just playing dirty; you can?t give into her demands!?

?It is her way,? Lion insisted, ?To cause confusion and fear and to reduce you till there is no honour left.?

?There is no confusion and fear about it,? Relena argued desperately, ?If I have the chance to save many lives by exchanging my own then that?s a trade I?m willing to make.?

?I doubt she brought such a large army here just to make a threat,? Tinman stated quietly, his eyes staring in the distance. ?She plans to attack despite your decision.?

Relena paused and frowned as she contemplated the possibility. She closed her eyes and shook her head, ?Even so?I cannot let people die because of the actions I take. I just can?t.?

?So you think it?s right to hand yourself over??

Relena whipped round and looked at Howard in surprise.

?Is that really the right thing to do?? Howard questioned. ?She wants you for a reason and giving yourself up might make things worse.?

?But the city?? Relena started.

?We?ve always known one day the witch would come for the city,? Howard clenched his fists. ?She?s just using it to her advantage and trying to kill two birds with one stone as they say. If harbouring you here ruins her plans then stay put. No good thing will come from your sacrifice save that the city will stand a while longer waiting in fear.?

Relena?s frown returned. ?I don?t like this,? She muttered.

?This isn?t your war,? Howard said more gently, ?you gotta concentrate on finding your way home.?

Relena?s frown grew deeper as she considered his words. The air had suddenly become cold despite the shining sun and a gentle but firm breeze had begun to blow. It was true she had nothing to do with all of this but along the way she had somehow become involved. She was now a small cog amid a large mechanism whose movement would set everything turning in a particular direction.

She looked at Toto staring up at her quietly in her arms, his green eyes probing for her answer as was everyone else. She realised then how much weight her decisions had and began to feel the pressure of them. If she was to turn away then Scarecrow wouldn?t get his brain, Tinman his heart and Lion his courage. She had to find a way to save all of them.

Relena sighed, ?Let?s go,? She said finally.

<center>~~~+~~~</center>

Ahead of the walkway lay a circle of small sentry towers. The walkway extended between two of them and led to a wide staircase leading far down to a huge platform housing the Emerald Palace. Gardens surrounded the majestic building, with fountains and sweet-smelling flowers, all different shades of green. As they walked down the stairs, Relena allowed herself to relax a little and smile at the beauty of it all. Toto?s eyes lit up and he wriggled out of her arms when they reached the bottom of the steps. She let him loose to race around freely, bark at the green butterflies and stare into the pools at the green fish.

?Look how deserted the place has become,? Howard remarked sadly, ?I haven?t been round here for a long time.?

?Someone must be maintaining all of this though,? Lion pointed out.

?Of course,? Howard assented, ?I believe the butler is the only remaining servant who stays in the Emerald Palace anymore, this must be all his work.?

Marble steps at the end of the gardens led up to the ornately carved door of the palace. Howard strode up with the others following cautiously and banged the jade knocker thrice. They waited and soon enough the large door was pulled open a fraction and an eye peered out cautiously.

?What do you want??

Howard made a gesture to Relena. She stepped forward and cleared her throat, ?We would like to see the Wizard please.?

?I?m afraid nobody may see the Wizard,? The voice said mildly. It was the voice of an old man. ?Even I have not seen the Wizard.?

?But we must see him!? Relena insisted, ?We have journeyed such a long way and only he can help us!?

?The Wizard is too busy deliberating on the matter of the Witch at the moment,? The old man replied firmly. ?And even so, nobody is allowed to see him.?

?Every turn beings a new obstacle,? Lion shook his head wearily, ?What?s the point??

Relena gritted her teeth and surged forward, pushing her face close to the door crack. ?You?re going to let us in right now! My name is Relena and I demand to see the Wizard!?

The door quivered slightly as the person behind it started. ?The Relena? The witch?s Relena? Oh my, oh my!? The door opened, revealing an old man with grey hair dressed in butler?s clothes. His moustache was trimmed and neat but his eyebrows were bushy and hung low over his eyes.

?Come?come in. I am Pagan, the butler here. Please wait inside and I shall announce you to the Wizard at once.?

?I?ll be going then,? Howard bowed. ?I?ve got to get back to the Sweepers and make preparations.?

The glow on Relena?s face dimmed as she heard that. Howard clucked his tongue and shook his head at her. ?No need for that face now; everything?s going to be all right. You just get yourself home, okay? Good luck to all of you,? He added. ?I hope we?ll meet again someday.?

Relena watched him leave and lowered her eyes. There must be something she could do!

<center>~~~+~~~</center>

They entered a great hall flanked by marbled pillars and a high domed ceiling. There were various doors situated around the hall, all closed and forbidding. Was the Wizard behind one of them? Relena wondered. There was no furniture to be seen but she guessed that this must be the main part of the palace and the living quarters were probably elsewhere. It still felt deserted and lonely though, and the walls echoed of loss and tragedy. Once again she felt Toto press close and a shiver passed through his little body.

She twisted and peered down at him, ?Are you all right Toto?? She asked.

He was pressed unnaturally close to her leg, as if something were paining or frightening him. His eyes were as round as saucers when he stared back at her.

?What?s wrong?? She asked again, concern entering her voice. She stepped away and bent down, reaching out to stroke him. He let her touch his head briefly before he backed away. He wandered, looking around the palace before pressing his face against a pillar with a slow whine, closing his eyes.

?Hey poochy what?s the matter?? Scarecrow said in concern. ?He?s been funny ever since we entered the city.?

?He?s clearly distressed about seeing the Wizard,? Lion coughed nervously, ?Maybe we should come back later??

?No,? Relena said firmly. ?We haven?t got the time to come back later.?

?Toto come here,? She coaxed softly.

Toto moved away and continued to wander. Suddenly he started sniffing around the floor. His whine was low pitched and stretched out. He continued to sniff the walls and the floor. When he latched onto something, he fled in its direction with a burst of speed, startling everyone.

?Toto!? Relena hurried after him.

He raced to one of the closed doors leading out of the hall. Sniffing at it wildly, he then frantically pawed at the door, leaning in to push it. With a creak, the door opened and Toto slipped inside.

?O?oy!? Lion yelled. ?We should really stay put,? He gulped.

?Wait!? Relena called out, pushing the door open wider so she could follow.

?No one ever listens,? Lion grumped, trudging after her with the others.

The room beyond was small and completely enclosed with no windows. The walls here were made of the same green marble of the pillars in the great hall, thin white veins running along them. Toto was standing in front of a large mirror affixed to one of the walls. Approaching the mirror, Relena observed the strange fact that it cast a reflection of the room behind but not of them. Instead, a girl was standing in the reflected room, her eyes closed and hands by her sides. She was beautiful, resplendant in the pale green gown that cinched her waist and swelled out, down to her hidden feet. She wore an intricate circlet embedded with Emeralds, bordered on either side of her face by the curls of her auburn hair. Her face placed her a year or two older than Relena but even still as she was, she had a presence that placed her well beyond her years.

Toto pressed his paws against the mirror, lifted his head up to her and howled in anguish. Relena started slightly at the sound but was distracted by the mirror as the girl in it opened her eyes slowly. They lowered to the little dog staring up at her and she smiled, her eyes softening. She reached down and Toto reached up in turn with a bark, standing on his hind legs and pressing his paws where her hand was. He licked the glass tenderly. No one said a word, captured as they were by the intimate scene.

The girl drew back and straightened, her blue-grey eyes leaving Toto and coming to rest on Relena. Having held her breath up until now, Relena slowly inhaled and tried to speak.

?Who?who are you??

The girl just smiled. Relena reached out, her fingers making contact with the mirror that separated them. She looked up in confusion. ?Why are you like this?? She questioned tentatively. ?We need to get you out somehow!?

The girl shook her head sadly and then stepped back, letting her arms fall again at her sides. She closed her eyes and was still once more. Toto scrabbled at the mirror and then howled again dejectedly.

?Hey! You?re not supposed to be here.?

Relena whirled around to see the butler, Pagan, standing at the door and facing down the three that stood by it. He ushered them all out urgently, refusing to hear her protests. They stepped out quickly, propelled into movement by the urgent look upon Pagan?s face. He wouldn?t say anything other than that it was ?forbidden? to enter that room.

?But why is that girl inside the mirror?? Relena stubbornly forged on, ?Shouldn?t we get her out somehow??

?We can?t do anything for her miss,? Pagan shook his head, ?Neither you nor I have the power.? He reached back to close the door when he espied Toto still lingering by the mirror, unwilling to leave.

?Come away from there at once!? His voice became quite stern. Toto hesitated a little but eventually broke away, racing through the door and over to Relena.

?I?hold on.? Pagan stopped. ?I know you??

Toto went still, his ears perking up in surprise.

?Yes it was you,? Pagan nodded to himself. ?You?re the dog that was prowling outside the palace yesterday. You trampled all over my flowerbed,? He said angrily.

Toto?s ears drooped and he hid between Relena?s legs, eyeing the old butler warily.

?This is where you came yesterday?? Relena said softly, the curiosity apparent in her eyes. Toto pressed closer to her legs and continued to stare towards the butler with a bashful expression. He was tense, as if he were afraid of being thrown out.

?Well,? Pagan sighed with resignation, his anger fading. ?What?s done is done now. You just stay by your mistress you little imp otherwise I shall have to show you why they call me Master Fencer.? He warned lightly.

When those words emerged from the old man?s lips, Toto?s face lit up and he raced over, barking happily. Pagan barely managed to put his arms out before he leapt into them and licked the old man senseless. He stared at Toto as if he had gone mad. ?You?re an excitable thing aren?t you?? He remarked, his face wrinkling into a merry smile.

Relena stared in amazement; she had only ever seen Toto show such affection to her, and to Quatre. This old man didn?t even know Toto and yet, the look on his face told of a loneliness eased by the terrier. Perhaps Toto had been aware of it and had acted? The cloud of mystery surrounding the terrier had thickened greatly and there was a light warning ringing in the back of her mind alerting her to it. Toto?s mystery would reveal itself in time, she reasoned, and simply put her hands behind her back, smiling warmly at them both.

?Come,? Pagan said in a gentler tone, ?I will show you through which door the Wizard lies.?

?You really don?t have to,? Lion rushed.

?Come on you big scaredy-cat,? Scarecrow yanked his tail. ?Stop stalling.?

?He?s a big powerful Wizard!? Lion hissed. ?There?s no telling what he?ll do if he doesn?t like us.?

Pagan handed Toto carefully back to Relena and patted his head affectionately. He turned and pointed to a door on the other side of the hall. ?That?s the one,? He nodded.

Relena took a deep breath. ?This is it,? She whispered to herself. Tinman put his hand on her shoulder, the gesture asking her if she was ready. She nodded and then turned in question to Scarecrow. He still had hold of Lion?s tail and was using it to pull him along; he nodded for the both of them. There was no need for words.

As Toto was in her arms, Tinman pushed the door open and they entered the room slowly. It was far larger than the one that held the mirror but there were no windows, else the light of day would be filtering in. Small lamps emitted a green hue from the walls where they hung, casting a dim light that outlined the shape of objects in the gloom. The largest object in this room was the giant figure of a man, standing on a huge, elevated platform in the centre. Relena was still studying him when the doors behind them clanged shut.

?It?s a trap!? Lion snarled, backing away.

?Silence!? A voice boomed out across the room. The pedestal lit up and the figure was illuminated by beams from spotlights, arcing upwards. It was an armored warrior, standing majestically with his legs apart and his body straight, his hands resting over the end of a long rifle propped in front of him. He was covered from head to toe in armor, painted blue and white, from his toes right up to the yellow plume of feathers attached to his helm. He was ten times bigger than Relena.

?I am OZ! The great and powerful!? The armored warrior spoke with a voice that echoed through the air proudly. ?Speak!?

Relena was surprised to find herself being pushed forward gently. ?H?hey??

?You first,? Scarecrow whispered, and gave a helpless shrug.

?I?I am Relena, the err?? She frowned, ?Small and meek? We?ve come to ask you??

?I know why you have come!? The Wizard cut through her words, startling her. ?Tinman!? He then bellowed. ?You dare come to me for a heart??

Tinman narrowed his eyes in response.

?You waltz in and expect to be welcomed while your siblings stand on the outskirts of this very city waiting to raze it to the ground do you??

At this, Tinman visibly flinched. His eyes flickered with sudden uncertainty and he hung his head.

?And you Scarecrow? Your reckless actions and utter disregard for responsibility had you trussed up for years! And you have the impudence to ask for a brain? What will you do, scare crows??

?Ouch,? Scarecrow winced. ?I might?ve deserved some of that,? He admitted, ?But with all due respect your erm, Wizardy??

?Quiet!? The Wizard roared. ?And you Lion??

?Am seriously rethinking the idea of coming to ask you for courage,? Lion muttered, peeking out from behind Relena.

??Have taken this long to enter the city after you and your clan failed to protect us??

?That?s not fair,? Relena piped up angrily when Lion?s face became ashen, ?That?s why they have their wishes and it?s not right at all to throw those things back in their faces when they?ve come to you for help!?

?Be silent! Whippersnapper!? The force of the Wizard?s voice was so intense that Relena fell to her feet, letting go of Toto. He scampered over to Scarecrow and crouched by his legs, eyeing the Wizard warily.

?After throwing the entire land of OZ into chaos you have the gall to ask to go home!? You have disregarded the safety of the city and its people by coming here!?

?No!? Relena yelled back, anger welling up uncontrollably inside her. She forgot who she was talking to and the thought of the journey she had made to get here fuelled her frustration. ?Where could I go? What else could I do?? She clenched her fists. ?It?s all because of these stupid ruby slippers, I didn?t ask to be given them, I didn?t ask to be chased, I didn?t ask for any of this!? She stepped out of them and backed away, the sensation of the smooth floor cooling her feet...

?I don?t want them anymore,? She said in disgust. ?And you don?t know everything?? Her voice wavered. ?My wish wasn?t to go home. I do want to go home so much?but I was going to wish for all this to end more than anything. I want the witch to go away, I want the city to be safe, and I want all my friends to live without fear.? She buried her face in her hands, ?I could never go home and leave things as they are now. Never??

?Oh Relena,? Scarecrow put his arms around her and she hid her face in his shirt. She felt Tinman draw close, reaching out to stroke her hair softly and the slight nuzzle of Lion?s head against her waist. Toto nestled himself by her bare feet and licked her leg comfortingly.

?That is why the Munchkins dubbed you White Dove.? The Wizard?s voice was less harsh now, even though it still echoed boldly across the room. ?I will grant all of your wishes but your wish, Relena, can only be fulfilled by you and you alone.?

?Why me?? Relena mumbled wearily, lifting her head.

?Because OZ needs you now, and you are more powerful than you realise. This is part of your journey.? The huge towering figure of the Wizard knelt on one knee, one hand still grasping the rifle while the other stretched out towards her. Relena gasped, he had been still for so long she didn?t think he could move.

His palm opened and in it lay a red rose, beautiful and unblemished. ?Take this,? The Wizard instructed. ?With this the Witch cannot see you with her crystal ball. It will give you an advantage.?

Relena tentatively took the rose from the armored hand, noting how small her hand was in comparison. She glanced at the rose, it was the reddest rose she had ever seen and it glittered in her hand. She stared up at the Wizard warily. ?What exactly are you asking me to do?? She asked quietly.

?Destroy the Witch of the West,? The Wizard replied, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Relena stared at him, struck speechless. One of the spotlights on the pedestal swivelled to light up the ruby slippers. ?You will need these. Take them.?

Relena obediently stepped forward and wore the slippers. Her mind was strangely blank, unable to comprehend what was happening. It was as if she were detached, staring at herself as the Wizard spoke. ?What about the Tin army?? She questioned hollowly.

?The city will take care of the army. You must take care of the Witch.?

?You can?t be serious!? Scarecrow spluttered, ?We?ve been trying to escape the Witch all this time and you?re saying we have to kill her??

?And bring me her broomstick as proof,? The Wizard added as an afterthought.

?We have to go West?? Tinman had stiffened completely, the light in his eyes fading slightly.

?Do this and prove yourselves worthy. Then I will grant your wishes.?

?B?but?? Relena fumbled with her words helplessly.

?You may all leave now.? The Wizard dismissed them.

The lights around the pedestal flicked off suddenly, and they were left in the silence and the dim light.

<center>TBC</center>

<hr>

A/N:

Character equivalents:

Pagan: Butler in the Emerald Palace

(You should have guessed who the girl in the mirror was but I?m not posting her character equivalent yet.)

Please don't let me starve and review!

[Fate Lowe]

Cathy!!! Great chapter. Keep up the good work. I can't wait for the next chapter!

[NenaKR]

I just read all of this in two sittings! I love what you've done with this!

I don't know if you've ever seen Wicked the musical, but I bet you would love it if you haven't. It explains a lot of unanswered things in the Wizard of Oz story (not sure if any of it's true or not, but it made me 100 times more interested).

It's based off of a book by Gregory MaGuire:

http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Times-Witc ... 994&sr=1-1

Great job with this chapter! Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Ice_Vixen]

I LOVED IT!!! As usual, you did an amazing job of involving lines and similar situations from the series in to this chapter! I love how you keep them in character... Keep them comming and I'll faithfully keep reviweing!

As for the play Wicked, i am totally hooked on it. I have read the book and am getting ready to read son of a witch, which is the sequal.

Back to GW, I love what you've done and I look forward to the rest!