And here comes the last chapter. Sad!
~*~
Chapter 9: Ozma
Mac, the Scarecrow, Jack, Billina and the Gump all appeared on a grassy hillside facing the Emerald City. Once upon a time it was where all the poppies had been, but they had long died out in winter so all that remained was the hill and the grass. And surprisingly, just a few feet away from them the cage holding Mombi appeared also. Even still caged she pulled and shook the bars, trying to break free, but failing miserably in the process.
"I.. is everyone-" Mac started, but stopped when something caught his eye.
The Emerald City was beginning to glow. As if life was being injected back into the large city, the tall columns and pillars, buildings and walls began to grow bright green from the base up. The whole city sparkled for a few moments, and you could actually hear the cries of the people within the city being brought back to life. Within the city, the Tin Bird found herself falling flat on her face, and becoming mightily confused. The Lion also, his roar finally filled the air and he ended up landing on all fours and looking as confused as he could whilst the animals around him looked in all directions. Where were the Gnomes?
"Oh.. it's beautiful, isn't it?" the Scarecrow asked.
"Pretty!" Jack added.
But it was then Mac realised something. "Tik-Tok?" he asked, checking to see if the Army had fallen over and couldn't get up again. "...Tik-Tok??" he asked. Those gathered looked around, then the Scarecrow spoke up.
"We never found him." he said quietly.
"Ohh..." Mac said, unsure of just how he felt. He hadn't known Tik-Tok for no more then a day or two, not nearly as long as he had known the Scarecrow, Lion or Tin Bird. But he had helped him out a lot, and now he has being buried in a pile of rocks from a mountain. It wasn't fair at all!
"Hey, what's that?" Billina spoke up,
"What?" the Gump asked.
"Something's on your antler.. horn thing." the yellow hen pointed with her beak.
"Is there?" the Gump went cross-eyed to stare at what he couldn't see before. Sure enough, hanging from his antler/horn was a green medal. It must have snagged onto it whilst they were hurrying around the Gnome King's lair. The group stared at the medal, all thinking the same thing.
"Green." The Scarecrow said, "It's green."
Mac was afraid to hope too much. If it were true, oh. It'd be very lucky, very close to being a miracle. He got up off the grass and dusted himself before going over to the medal. Reaching out he put his hand upon the medal and shut his eyes, bracing himself for either joy or disappointment. "Oz!"
One brilliant flash of bright white light later, and there was Tik-Tok, sat on the grass just in front of the Gump and looking very very confused. "Uh?"
"Tik-Tok!" Mac cried, and despite himself, hugged the Army of Oz as best he could; given how big Tik-Tok was compared to himself. Sure, Tik-Tok had a lot of questions to ask, but they would have to wait until later since just then the doors of the Emerald City were thrown open and a flood of citizens rushed out; led by the Lion and Tin Bird who made a direct B line straight for the group shouting, cheering and whooping in delight at their saviours.
~*~
It was a celebration unlike what Mac had experienced in the Emerald City before. The music, the laughter and the praise was all so contagious. Just like the first time he had arrived at the grand Emerald City had and his new team had been cleaned up. The Gump, which had been somewhat dusty the entire journey was now clean; his thin fuzz of fur all over his body now without a trace of dust. Tik-Tok, being metal, had been polished to such a brilliant sheen he was like a walking copper mirror. Jack too had been given clothes that actually fit properly, so he didn't look as clumsy as he once had.
There was a grand procession through what was now, again, the Scarecrow's castle. Mombi, still caged was being carried along by some citizens. And whilst she was being carried that way, Mac had been set upon the Lion's board back as the purple Lion made his way through the crowds. The Scarecrow, very happy to be back was waving to the crowd as wildly as he could. You'd think his poor thin arm would fall off he was waving so much. Finally they reached the throne room, which had been cleaned and cleared of any remnants of the Wheelers and Mombi's rule.
The Lion knelt to help Mac climb off his back, and once Mac stood on the floor he could hear some quiet chant happening. Seemed the citizens of the Emerald City (and Oz too, given some had journeyed to celebrate the rehabilitation of the city) wanted Mac to stay. Cries of "Be the King, Mac!" were being echoed throughout the crowd. Mac didn't know what to think, him, King? Man, Bloo would be so jealous right now, if he were here. But just thinking that, made Mac realise just why he couldn't stay here. This wasn't where he belonged. He smiled sadly and shook his head as the crowd fell to silence again.
"Aw guys... you know I'd love to stay here, but.. but I don't belong here."
"We understand Mac." the Scarecrow said, "We all have our place in the world. Yours just isn't here with us."
"Don't take it the wrong way though!" Mac said, looking up at the Scarecrow then to his numerous friends. "I just wish there was a way I could be in both places at once."
The ruby shoes, still firmly on his shoes suddenly sparkled as if someone had turned a switch on inside them. Mac stared down at them, then heard a few cries of alarm from the crowd.
The Lion pointed with one of his paws, "Aye carumba, que es that?"
Mac turned, and saw something in the mirror behind the throne. It was a familiar shape, he had seen it once before... but where? Ah, he remembered. When he was trying to escape the headless Mombi with the powder of life, it had shown him the correct door to go through. But the shape was becoming more and more solid, and soon enough instead of swirls of light within a mirror, there was a young girl.