It's looking good! I can't wait for the ending!:D I'm glad that Wilt was saved!

I agree! :D

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.

She would be no older then Mac, pale blonde hair with a hint of red sat atop her head and her gown was pale green. A lovely tiara sat atop her hair, the same symbol in the middle of it to match the charm the Scarecrow wore.

There were gasps of surprise. Now while Oz was not what you'd call a normal land, seeing a girl in a mirror was something new entirely. Mac stared at the girl dumbly for a few moments.

"Who..."

"Help me through the mirror Mac." the girl said.

Mac didn't know how, at first. But he walked up to the mirror, and as he did that, the girl walked closer on her side of the mirror too. Soon they were face to face, and Mac lifted his hands up to touch the glass to see if there was a door way there. But what he didn't expect was his hands to all but vanish through the glass which had suddenly taken on the feeling of water. His hands found the girls, and he then stepped back, and as he did she stepped forward, and finally emerged from the mirror.

"Thank you." the girl smiled.

"MOMMY!" Jack suddenly screamed in utter delight, so much so he fell backwards. "Jack's Mommy!"

Mac looked from Jack, to the girl. His memory clicked, and Jack had mentioned how his 'Mommy' had made him to scare Mombi. So this was the girl who had made Jack, and brought him to life! "But... who.. who are you?"

"She, is Ozma." a familiar voice filled the air. All gathered turned their heads to see the Good Witch of the North stood besides Mombi's cage. She wasn't clad in pink like the first time Mac had seen her. She had a flowing white gown on now, no sleeves, and a crown of diamond flowers atop her head. As normal, her sceptre was in her hand. "Her father was the King of Oz before the Wizard arrived. But when he died, Mombi kidnapped her and made Ozma her slave; and when the Gnome King got possession of the shoes, he and Mombi trapped her in the mirror so there would no longer be the royal family in charge of Oz."

"Wow. You know everything!" the Lion declared.

She smiled, "I have my sources. And now, the Gnome King is dead, and Mombi has been removed of all her powers. And there's nothing sadder then a powerless witch. So now, finally after all these years, the rightful ruler shall be in charge of Oz." the Witch of the North walked up to the group, smiling at the Scarecrow. "You did a wonderful job, Scarecrow. You kept the peace Oz needed. And thanks to not only you, but all those who helped Mac, things are finally back to normal for us all."

It was a small coronation, Ozma taking her seat upon the throne and The Good Witch making her a proper crown from the tiara that sat on her head. Mac even gave Ozma the red shoes from his feet, since she had the right to wear them. Ozma smiled, then looked to Mac.

"Thank you Mac, we'll never forget the kindness you've brought us not only once, but twice. If you ever need us, we'll be there for you."

"T.. thanks." Mac squeaked his response, before rubbing at his neck.

"Now, it is time for you to go home again." as she said this, Ozma clicked the heels of the shoes together three times.

"What, wait! I haven't said goodbye yet!" Mac said in surprise, but turned either way to the group before him. His old friends and the newer ones. Shouts of 'Goodbye Mac!' and other such phrases filled the air as Mac waved back to them.

Things began to get blurry, it felt like air rushing past his head but it didn't take Mac long to realise it was water that was rushing past his head. He jolted up, and realised he was sat in the stream that ran through Fosters property. It wasn't as bad as it had been, when he had been all but pulled into the water by that arm. It was normal, but he was now wet. And muddy. Groaning he got to his feet and shook his hands, and began trying to remove the mud from his hair.

He finally climbed out of the stream, and started back on his way to Fosters. No way anyone would believe this, so he wisely kept his mouth shut about it.

End

*massive applause is made* Bravo!

It was worth waiting for, and I'm glad to see Red Tik-Tok is okay. Well done! :) ;D

Bravo ~ well written CG! :frankiesmile:

Wow! That was good!:D I'm glad that everyone had a happy ending!

Great ending to a wonderful story. :)