(Emerald City at Last)
*June 16th, 1906*
*Winkie Country*
Everyone sat at the dinner table eating a wonderful meal prepared by the Winkies as everyone was engaged in fellowship.
"So, were you always made of tin? I've never seen anything like this back in my hometown before." Shaggy Man asked Tin Woodman curiously as he had taken a bite from his meal while waiting for an answer from his new friend.
"No, I was made of flesh and bones just like you. The Wicked Witch of the East cursed me after being engaged to a beautiful munchkin. After that, every time I used my axe, It would slip off my hand and cut off parts of my body. This would go on until each part was replaced with tin, thus allowing me to become Tin Woodman.." Tin Woodman explained to Shaggy Man as his story seemed to surprise Polychrome who had a look of sorrow on her face.
"That's terrible, that must have been painful for you to go through that.." Polychrome spoke to Tin Woodman in a sad voice while Tin Woodman nodded in agreement before speaking again.
"Indeed but fear not, I was given an excellent heart by The Wizard of Oz thus allowing the power of love within me to remain stronger. I also don't mind being this way since everyone loves me, I love everyone, and therefore I'm happy for the rest of my life." Tin Woodman responded with a warm smile which made Polychrome smile back while Dorothy began to speak out.
"A heart? What made Oscar give you a heart? I thought he told you that being kind and stuff doesn't require a heart" Dorothy asked curiously as Tin Woodman was quick to provide an answer.
"I know but it was simply a gift since my birthday had passed and I've been wearing it ever since. It's to always remember my human name as well, Nick Chopper" Tin Woodman responded while gently tapping his chest where his heart was located.
"Really?! Well, Happy Late Birthday, Mr Chopper. I can't believe I'm just now finding out your name but It's wonderful learning it. This means we're very close friends" Dorothy responded once more while smiling warmly which made Tin Woodman smile more.
"Thank you. People around me had referred to me as Tin Woodman due to my metallic body and eventually, I've adopted the name but you can call me Nick if you want" Tin Woodman spoke to Dorothy once more while the young girl smiled even more.
"Of course, I'm going to refer to you as Mr Chopper now. I want you to always remember your birth name. The name that your loved ones used to call by" Dorothy spoke to Tin Woodman once more as this made the sentimental being rather emotional.
"T-Thank you, Dorothy. I don't mind at all, and if it wasn't for you, I would have rusted away in the forest so thank you once more.." Tin Woodman responded emotionally while smiling warmly as Dorothy smiled back.
"Of course, as my Aunt Em says, we should always smile through the dark times and never be afraid to ask for help as well" Dorothy spoke once more to Tin Woodman as both friends smiled warmly to each other for a few seconds before Shaggy Man spoke up.
"Truly a sad story; however, I'm glad you were able to find happiness through your new friends but I must say, this palace must have cost a lot of money" Shaggy Man spoke to Tin Woodman while looking around the palace with great interest while Tin Woodman began to chuckle to himself with confidence.
"Money in Oz? Nonsense! Princess Ozma abolished money many years ago so that's a nonissue for the people of Oz" Tin Woodman responded while Shaggy Man was surprised at what he heard as he began to speak once more.
"R-Really?! That's marvelous! Money makes men greedy and evil if used incorrectly" Shaggy Man spoke once more to Tin Woodman rather enthusiastically while nodding in agreement.
"Indeed, if we used money to buy things instead of love and kindness, we'd be no better than the people of Dorothy's world. Luckily, money is nonexistent in Oz. There is no rich or poor but equal people trading and sharing items and other things in hopes of making others succeed" Tin Woodman responded rather seriously while Shaggy Man's face was filled with joy as he began to laugh.
"Well, I'll be! This place sounds great! I should stay here since someone owes me fifteen cents back in Butterfield and I won't take it since I despise money!" Shaggy Man responded cheerfully before taking a sip of water from his cup while Tin Woodman smiled back.
"If you can prove to Princess Ozma that you can be a good citizen of Oz then surely she'll allow you to stay" Tin Woodman advised the old fellow while Shaggy Man nodded in an understanding way.
"Of course, I'll talk to Princess Ozma once we get to Emerald City" Shaggy Man responded with a smile while giving Tin Woodman a thumbs-up which made Tin Woodman smile back.
For the remainder of the hour, everyone continued to eat lunch and engage in fellowship as eventually, Tin Woodman along with his friends were ready to depart from the palace for Ozma's upcoming party that was coming in a few days.
"Goodbye, everyone. Be sure to take care of the palace once I'm gone. I shall bring back many treats from Ozma's party" Tin Woodman spoke to the Winkies while waving them goodbye alongside Dorothy and the others.
"Goodbye, your majesty! We'll take good care of things while you are gone! Take care, everyone!" The Winkie Guard cried out while waving goodbye alongside the other Winkies.
"Goodbye, take care" Dorothy spoke to the Winkies for the final time before smiling and waving goodbye as she began to depart for Emerald City along with her friends; however, Dorothy stopped right in her tracks after walking a few minutes.
"Wait, since we're close to the Emerald City, I can call upon Ozma so she can send us there in one go, It would save us the trouble of walking there" Dorothy spoke out in joy as this seemed to have made everyone else smile.
"Who's Ozma?" Button-Bright asked curiously while Dorothy smiled back as she answered the question.
"Ozma is the ruler of Oz, my dear friend, and a very wonderful person, I can simply call her name, especially since her magic mirror has been upgraded since then as well but it only works if I'm close to Emerald City" Dorothy responded while Button-Bright's eyes were filled with wonder while Polychrome began to speak out.
"Wonderful! Try calling her name, If she can hear us then surely she'll use the silver shoes or whatever to send us there in one piece" Polychrome chimed into the conversation while seeing Dorothy smiling back.
"I'll say that you should try it! Never hurts, right?" Shaggy Man spoke to Dorothy in hopes of encouraging his friend even further and luckily, Dorothy nodded her head as she took a few deep breaths before finally calling upon Ozma.
"Ozma!! It's me, Dorothy! If you can hear me, please send me and my friends to Emerald City! We're at Winkie Country" Dorothy called out in hopes of Ozma hearing her word, luckily, this seemed to be the case as a brilliant flash of light appeared to consume the group before sending them straight to the Emerald City.
*Emerald Palace*
Dorothy and her friends finally arrived at the Emerald Palace in the city where they were greeted by Jellia Jamb who was cleaning the tables in the palace.
"D-Dorothy?! Is that you? You've grown so big!! It's wonderful seeing you again!" Jellia Jamb greeted Dorothy with excitement in her voice as she and Dorothy hugged each other warmly.
"Jellia! It's wonderful seeing you again as well, How have things been for you and it's great to be back in the Emerald City" Dorothy responded with a smile while Jellia nodded in agreement.
"It's wonderful to see you back. I've been doing great, I'm assuming Princess Ozma wants to see everyone, right? If so, then I must show your new friends a tour of the Emerald City while we wait for Ozma to get ready" Jellia Jamb responded while smiling as Tin Woodman began to speak.
"Mrs. Jamb, It's wonderful to see you again, I was surprised to see Dorothy as well. She always seems to come here unexpectedly; however, we do have a problem in regards to Dorothy's friend, the little lad, Button-Bright, I presume? Seems to miss his human head, could we perhaps lead him to the Fountain of Dreams to which he could be restored" Tin Woodman spoke to Jellia while tipping his hat in respect as this seemed to make Button-Bright and the others smile excitedly.
"Wow?! That's great, isn't that right?! You are going to be back to normal and I always wanted to see your face" Polychrome spoke to Button-Bright while looking at the young boy jumping up and down with joy with a smile on his face which made Jellia smile back.
"So, you must be Polychrome, Button-Bright, and Shaggy Man, right?" Jellia Bamb spoke out before quickly covering her mouth which made Dorothy raise an eyebrow with curiosity.
"Wait, how do you know the names of my friends? Polychrome I could understand but Button-Bright and Shaggy Man come from my world, what is going on.." Dorothy asked Jellia Jamb as the room fell silent with the only noise being Jellia's rather nervous laughter.
"W-Well, I don't know if I can say this yet but Princess Ozma was watching you and your friends the entire time but she knew that you and the others would be safe, and don't worry, I have permission to tell this..." Jellia Jamb responded before giggling to herself while Dorothy and the others had faces of relief.
"Ozma was watching us the whole time, maybe that's why I was able to escape those Scoolders, I believe she helped me right when we were going to get eaten by them." Dorothy thought to herself with a smile on her face before finally speaking up once more.
"Well, let's explore the city while we wait for Ozma! There's plenty to do beforehand and I don't want to miss any second of it" Dorothy spoke to Jellia Jamb, suddenly, the sound of the door opened and it was Ozma herself which surprised everyone in the room.
"Princess O-Ozma?!" Tin Woodman spoke in surprise while everyone else but Dorothy stood in surprise at her unexpected presence.
"Why if it isn't Dorothy and her friends, I'm happy to see everyone today, there is much to discuss regarding my birthday in a few days so let's get down to business" Ozma spoke to her friends, Button-Bright, Polychrome, and Shaggy Man before smiling to at her guests.
"Dear friend, it's wonderful to see you! I have so much to tell you!" Dorothy responded cheerfully as she was happy to see her friend once more and was ready to tell her about her adventure.