Post by werebobwildpants on Mar 21, 2010 1:10:28 GMT -5
(Yes, the rewrite. While I work on the HP Parody, I need something to do. So here it is; the total rewrite.)
Chapter 1: The Cyclone
Pixie lived in the midst of the great city of Spongeopolis with the many people who inhabited the local school. The school was rather small. There were four walls, a couple of other rooms, and a roof, which made up about three classrooms. There wasn’t a storage shelter whatsoever, and there was no cellar-except for a small hole dug in the ground called the hurricane shelter, where the students and teachers would go in case a whirlwind arose. It was reached by a trap door in the middle of the floor. A ladder led down into the small, dark hole. Today, Peaches sat on the doorstep and looked nervously at the sky, which was even grayer than usual. Dorothy stood at the door with a little black dog named Odie, which belonged to one of her friends. GG was in the main classroom, sweeping the floor while M, the little frog, was sorting out the books (careful to come across any vampire romance novels). From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind, and Peaches and Pixie could see where the long grass bowed forcefully before the imminent storm approaching. Suddenly Peaches stood up. ‘’There’s a hurricane coming our way, guys!’’ she called to all the students and teachers. ‘’Quick, Pixie!’’ GG screamed over the wind. ‘’Run for the cellar!’’ Odie ran away from Pixie’s side, terribly frightened by the wind rocking the house. ‘’Odie!’’ Pixie ran after him. M, badly frightened as well, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark hole. Pixie caught Odie at last and started to follow her friends. When she was halfway across the floor, their came a bloodcurdling shriek from the wind, and the house shook so violently that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly on the floor. Then something strange happened. The school whirled around and around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Pixie felt as if she and Odie were going up in a balloon. It was very dark, and the wind was howling all around her through the crevices in the walls, but Pixie found that she was riding rather easily. After the first few whirls around, she felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle. In the face of the swaying of the school and the wailing of the wind, Pixie closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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Chapter 2: The Council with the Spongekins
She was awakened by a loud ‘thud!’ so sudden that if Pixie had not have been lying on the soft carpet; she may have been badly injured. The shock made her catch her breath and Odie put his cold little nose into her face and whined sadly. Pixie sat up, blue hair flying askew, and took notice that the building was no longer rocking and swaying with the wind. ‘’I don’t know what that was, but sure as heck it wasn’t a hurricane.’’ Odie whined and lay down on the floor. It wasn’t dark either, as sunlight crept in through a cracked window. ‘’C’mon, Odie. Let’s see where we ended up.’’ She sprang to her feet with Odie nipping at her heels, and ran over to open the door. Pixie’s eyes lit up with wonder. The hurricane had set the school down very gently (for a hurricane) in the midst of an unknown country with blinding beauty. There were patches of green earth all around, with imperial trees bearing rather large and delicious fruit. Flamboyant flowers were everywhere, and iridescent butterflies hummed and fluttered around them. ‘’Wow… I don’t think we’re in Spongeopolis anymore. In fact, I’m not even sure what this place is.’’ Odie barked and chased a couple of birds that fluttered around. Pixie noticed the oddest looking people she had ever seen running toward her. They weren’t humans, they looked a little like… sponges. And one of them looked like a human man, but she couldn’t exactly tell. They were somewhere around the height of a large emperor penguin, except for the human man who towered over the two others. The two sponge-looking creatures alongside the man were oddly dressed. They wore round hats that rose into points with little bells around the trims that tinkled lightly when they moved. The sponges looked very old, but the man was young and handsome with a boyish face. He was wearing a large pointed hat with long flowing robes of midnight blue. Pixie vaguely thought of M’s older human brother, N. ‘’Who are these weirdoes?’’ Pixie mumbled to herself. ‘’And why do they look like something out of Harry Potter?’’ The three of them drew nearer towards the school where Pixie was standing in the doorway. The tall man in the robes flounced up to Pixie, robes fluttering a little, and made a low bow. ‘’Thank you.’’ He said in a kind deep voice. Pixie looked confused. ‘’Huh? For what?’’ she asked. ‘’You are welcome the land of the Spongekins. We are forever grateful to you for you having killed the Wicked Witch of the East and setting my people free.’’ Pixie said anxiously, ‘’Well, thank you. You’re really nice and all, but I’m afraid I haven’t killed anyone.’’ ‘’Your schoolhouse did anyway,’’ Replied the man with a laugh. ‘’and that is pretty much the same thing. See!’’ He pointed to the corner of the house. ‘’There are her two feet, still sticking out from a block of bricks.’’ ‘’Ew, really?’’ Pixie looked around and gave a little cry of fright. There, indeed, just under a corner of the school, were two feet sticking out-wearing silver shoes with pointed toes. ‘’Oh my God!’’ cried Pixie, recoiling a little. ‘’The school must have fallen on her!’’
‘’Well, DUH.’’ Interrupted the bearded Spongekin. The man nudged him. ‘’Rubeus, don’t be rude.’’ ‘’We have to do something, quick!’’ cried Pixie frantically. ‘’There is nothing that can be done.’’ Said the man. ‘’But who was she?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’She was the Wicked Witch of the East, as I said earlier.’’ The man paused. ‘’She has held the Spongekins and I in captivity for many years, making them slave for her night and day until they died of exhaustion. Rubeus here almost died of such, if my memory serves right.’’ ‘’ Aye, ‘tis true.’’ Rubeus replied in his gruff Irish voice. ‘’Who are the Spongekins?’’ ‘’They are the inhabitants of this land of the East, where the Witch has ruled.’’ Answered the man. ‘’Are you a Spongekin?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’No, I am their friend. Although I reside in the North, they sent a message to me as soon as they found out that the Witch was dead. You see, she was my sister.’’ He explained. ‘’I am Glindor, the Warlock of the North.’’ ‘’Gracious! You’re a real Warlock?’’ ‘’Yes indeed.’’ answered Glindor. ‘’But I’m what your world would call ‘the good guy’ and the people love me. I am not as powerful as the Wicked Witch who ruled here, or I would have set the people free myself.’’ Pixie was about to ask another question, but the Spongekins, who had been standing by silently, gave a loud whistle and pointed to the corner where the Witch was lying. ‘’What is it?’’ asked Glindor. He looked and began to laugh. The feet of the dead Witch had disappeared. All that was left were the silver shoes. ‘’She was so old,’’ began Glindor, ‘’that she dried up quickly in the sun. Well, that’s the end of her. But the Silver Shoes are yours to wear.’’ Glindor reached down and grabbed the shoes, shook the dust out of them, and handed them to a quite flabbergasted Pixie. ‘’The Witch of the East was proud of those shoes,’’ said Silverbeard, the Spongekin beside Rubeus, ‘’and they have a magic charm, but we are not too terribly sure what it is.’’ Pixie shrugged. ‘’Eh, what could possibly go wrong?’’ She took off her old leather shoes and slipped on the silver ones. They fit her as well as if they were made for her. ‘’I’m really anxious to get back home to my friends, ‘cause I’m sure they’re worried sick about me. Can you help me go back?’’ ‘’You must go to Sapphire Metropolis’’ said the Warlock. ‘’Perhaps Sir Spand-Oz can help you.’’ ‘’Well, where’s Sapphire Metropolis? Get on with it, you Dumbledore wannabe!’’ Pixie asked demandingly. Glindor rolled his eyes. ‘’It is exactly in the center of the country. It is ruled by Sir Spand-Oz, the Great Wizard.’’ ‘’Is he a good guy?’’ she inquired. ‘’He’s a good wizard. Whether he is a man or not, I cannot tell, for I have never seen him.’’ ‘’How can I get there?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Is there a bus or something?’’ ‘’Sorry, you’ll have to walk.’’ said Glindor. Pixie groaned. Glindor held up his hand as if to silence her. ‘’It is a long journey through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and merciless. However, I will use my most powerful magic to keep you out of harm’s way.’’ ‘’Won’t you go with me, Mr. Glindor?’’ she asked pleadingly. ‘’I am afraid I cannot do that.’’ he sighed. ‘’But I will give you my kiss.’’ Pixie looked a little repulsed. ‘’Look, you’re nice and all, but there’s only one man in my life… and that’s my sweet SpongeBob…’’ she finished with a dreamy gaze. ‘’No one would dare to injure anyone who has been kissed by the Warlock of the North.’’ Glindor came close to Pixie and kissed her gently on her forehead. Where his lips touched her, a little silver mark formed, as Pixie would find out about later. ‘’The road to Sapphire Metropolis is paved with yellow and green brick. A road we call the Yellow Pore Road.’’ said Glindor. ‘’Follow it, and you will not stray far. When you get to Sir Spand-Oz, do not fear him, but tell him your story and ask him to help you. Goodbye, my dear.’’
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Chapter 3: How Pixie had Saved the Scarecrow
Pixie had only one other dress that was hanging on a peg in the Teacher’s Lounge. It was adorned with checks of white and blue. The dress was somewhat faded, but it was still a pretty little thing. So, Pixie went back inside the school, washed her face a little, put on the clean dress, and untied her waist length hair out of its ponytail. She found a little basket and put some food from the fridge in the Lounge, laying a little green cloth on top of it. ‘’Come on, Odie.’’ she said. ‘’We’re gonna go to Sapphire Metropolis and ask the Wizard to send us home.’’
Odie barked and wagged his stubby tail as the two of them headed out on the road. There were a few roads nearby, but it did not take her long to find the Yellow Pore road. Within a short time, she was on her way, the Silver Shoes tinkling softly on the bricks.
‘’My feet are seriously killing me…’’ Pixie moaned, wiping the sweat from her face. Odie was panting until he finally collapsed on the pavement, tongue lolling out from the side of his mouth. Pixie looked over to see a fence nearby. ‘’Well, it’s no Teacher’s Lounge, but it’ll do.’’ She climbed up on the fence and sat down. Naturally, there was a cornfield behind the fence, and a few feet away stood a short little scarecrow, hung high on a pole. The shaggy brown hair on the scarecrow hung limply on its head. But it wasn’t your traditional human-like scarecrow. It looked more like a frog. Pixie leaned her hand upon her cheek and looked thoughtfully at the straw-frog. She laughed. ‘’In a weird way, that scarecrow really reminds me of M. I’m sure if he were here, he’d probably be thrilled to see another frog of his height.’’ Its head was a small green burlap sack with the shaggy brown hair underneath its pointed Spongekin hat. Its eyes were little ping pong balls, cut in half and painted with little black pupils with a stripe going through each. On the body there was a long red and yellow scarf and a pair of green overalls with a brown plaid long sleeve shirt underneath. The feet were just little frog’s flippers, really odd for a scarecrow to be barefoot, really. The scarecrow was raised above the stalks on a long metal pole. While Pixie was looking into the odd face of the scarecrow, she was surprised to see one of the eyes slowly wink at her. Pixie shrieked a little. ‘’What the…?! It can’t be. My mind must be affected by this heat… yeah, that’s it.’’ She climbed down from the fence and walked tentatively walked over to the scarecrow, Odie barking and running around it. ‘’What’s up?’’ said the scarecrow huskily. ‘’Did you just speak?!’’ Pixie asked in utter bemusement. ‘’Certainly,’’ answered the scarecrow ‘’How do you do?’’ ‘’I’m okay, thank you,’’ Pixie replied politely. ‘’How do you do?’’ ‘’I’m not feeling well. Not at all.’’ said the scarecrow with a frown. ‘’For it is very difficult being perched up here all day and night. Scaring away crows and all. I’m the worst scarecrow ever. But what can I do? I’ve been tied down to a job I’m no good at.’’ ‘’Can you at least get down?’’ asked Pixie, touched by his sad story. ‘’No, y’see there’s this pole up my back.’’ He groaned as he struggled to point to it with his tied arm. It looked like it really hurt the little frog. ‘’But if you were to get me down, I’d be forever thankful.’’ Pixie untied the ropes around his wrists. She grabbed him from under his arms and lifted him off the pole, for, being stuffed with straw, he was very light. The scarecrow rubbed his arms and looked thoughtfully up at her. ‘’Thank you very much.’’ said the scarecrow, when he had been set upon the ground. ‘’I feel like a new frog. Name’s Scarecrow by the way. But tell me-who are you? And where are you going?’’ ‘’My name is Pixie,’’ said the girl. ‘’and I am going to Sapphire Metropolis to ask the Great Wizard, Sir Spand-Oz, to send me back home to Spongeopolis.’’ ‘’Where is Sapphire Metropolis? And who is Sir Spand-Oz?’’ ‘’You don’t know?’’ Pixie returned, crouching down to his height. ‘’No indeed. I don’t know anything. Y’see, I am stuffed with straw, so I have no brains at all.’’ Scarecrow motioned towards the pole. ‘'Been up there as long as I can remember.'' Scarecrow explained. ‘’Oh,’’ said Pixie, ‘’I’m sorry.’’ ‘’Do you think,’’ began the scarecrow, ‘’if I go to Sapphire Metropolis with you, that Sir Spand-Oz would give me some brains?’’ Pixie shrugged and stood up straight again. ‘’I dunno,’’ she returned. ‘’but you can come with me, if you like. If Spand-Oz doesn’t give you any brains, you’d be worse off then you are now.’’ The straw-frog smiled. ‘’Thank you, Pixie.’’ he answered gratefully. They walked back to the road. Pixie helped him over the fence and they started along the Yellow Pore Road to Sapphire Metropolis.
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Chapter 4: The Rescue of the Tin Woodsgirl
After a few hours or so, the road began to be rough. The walking grew so difficult that Scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow and green bricks, which were very uneven. Sometimes they were broken or missing altogether, leaving holes that Odie jumped across and Pixie walked around. As for Scarecrow, having no brains, he walked straight ahead, and so stepped into the holes and fell at full length on the hard bricks. It never really hurt him, however, and Pixie would pick him up, reassemble whatever parts had fallen off and set him on his feet again, while he joined her in laughing at his own mishap. Suddenly, they were startled to hear a deep groan nearby. ‘’What was that?’’ Pixie asked timidly. ‘’I cannot imagine,’’ replied the scarecrow, ‘’but we can go and see.’’ Just then, another groan reached their ears, and the sound seemed to come from behind them. They turned and walked through the forest a few steps when Pixie discovered something shining in a ray of sunshine that fell between the trees. She ran to the place, then stopped short with a little cry of surprise. One of the trees had been partly chopped, and standing beside it with an axe in her hands was a girl made entirely of tin. The letters TW were boldly written on her chest, and she had pink streaks in the metal parts of her hair. Her head and arms and legs were jointed upon her body, but she stood perfectly still, as if she could not move at all. ‘’Did you groan?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Yes,’’ answered the tin girl, ‘’I did. I’ve been groaning for more than a year, and no one has ever heard me before or come to help me.’’ ‘’What can I do for you?’’ Pixie inquired softly. ‘’Get my oil can and oil my joints,’’ she answered. ‘’They are rusted so badly that I cannot move them at all.’’ Pixie found the oil can, and asked earnestly, ‘’Where are your joints?’’ ‘’Oil my neck first.’’ replied the Tin Woodsgirl. So she did, while Scarecrow, in his small stature, stood on a tree stump and moved the head gently from side to side. ‘’Then oil the joints in my arms,’’ she said. Pixie oiled them and Scarecrow moved them carefully until they were free from rust and as good as new. Then they oiled her leg joints and she was able to move about. ‘’This is a great comfort,’’ she said. ‘’My name is Tin, and I’ve been holding that axe in the air ever since I rusted, and I’m glad to be able to put it down last. I might have stood there forever if you had not come along, so you have certainly saved my life. Who are you and how did you happen to be here?’’ ‘’I’m Pixie and this is Scarecrow. We’re on our way to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz in Sapphire Metropolis.’’ Pixie answered. ‘’Why do you wish to see Spand-Oz?’’ Tin asked. ‘’I want him to send me back to Spongeopolis, and Scarecrow over here wants him to put a few brains in his head,’’ she replied. Tin appeared to be thinking deeply for a moment. Then she said, ‘’Do you think Spand-Oz could give me a heart?’’ ‘’I guess so.’’ Pixie returned. ‘’It’d be as easy as snapping your fingers and sending me back home.’’ ‘’Or putting a brain in my head.’’ piped up the scarecrow. ‘’True,’’ said Tin. ‘’So, if you’ll allow me to join you, I’ll also go on to the Sapphire Metropolis and ask Sir Spand-Oz to help me.’’ ‘’Come on along!’’ said Scarecrow, face lit up with happiness. Pixie added that she would be pleased to have her company. So the Tin Woodsgirl shouldered her axe and they all passed through the forest until they came to the road that was paved with the yellow and green bricks. Tin asked Pixie to put the oil can in her basket. ‘’For,’’ she said, ‘’if I should get caught in the rain, and should rust again, I will need the oil can very badly.’’
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Chapter 5: The Cowardly Lioness
‘’How long will it be until we’re out of the forest?’’ Pixie asked of Tin. ‘’I don’t know,’’ was the answer, ‘’I’ve never been to Sapphire Metropolis. But my father went there once, when I was little. He said it was a long journey through a dangerous country, although nearer to the city where Sir Spand-Oz lives the country is very beautiful. But I’m not afraid as long as I have the oil can, and almost nothing can hurt Scarecrow. However, you’ve got the mark of the Good Warlock’s kiss on your forehead, and that protects YOU from harm.’’ Just as she stopped speaking, there came from the forest a terrible roar. The next moment a great female lion (reminding Pixie A LOT of Peaches, appearance wise) bounded out onto the road. With one blow of her paw, Scarecrow was sent spinning into a deep hole in the road, and then she struck at Tin with her powerful claws and the Woodsgirl fell over on the road and lay still. Little Odie, now that he had an enemy to face, ran barking toward the lion. The great lioness opened her mouth to bite the dog when Pixie, fearing Odie would die instantly and M would probably NEVER forgive her for letting it happen, rushed forward and slapped the lioness upon her nose as hard as possible. She cried out, ‘’Don’t you dare bite Odie! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big animal like you, to bite a poor little dog!’’ ‘’I didn’t bite him!’’ the lioness cried, rubbing her pink nose where Pixie had hit it. ‘’No, but you sure did try to,’’ Pixie retorted. ‘’You’re just a coward.’’ The lioness sighed. ‘’I know it,’’ said the lion hanging her head in shame. ‘’I’ve always known it.’’ ‘’But that isn’t right! The Queen of the Beasts shouldn’t be a coward!’’ said the Scarecrow, as Pixie helped him out of the hole and reattached his legs. ‘’I know, already!’’ returned the lioness, wiping a tear from her eye with the tip of her tail. ‘’It’s my great sorrow, and it makes my life very unhappy. Because whenever there’s danger, my heart beats fast.’’ ‘’Perhaps you have heart disease, Lion…?’’ said Tin. Pixie shot her a critical look. Tin shrugged. ‘’What? I’m just trying to be realistic here.’’ she replied. ‘’It may be. By the way, it’s Lioness.’’ said Lioness. ‘’If you have,’’ continued the Tin Woodsgirl, ‘’you ought to be glad, for it proves you have a heart. For my part, I don’t have one, so I can’t have heart disease.’’ ‘’Perhaps,’’ said Lioness thoughtfully, ‘’if I had no heart I wouldn’t be such a coward.’’ ‘’Do you have brains?’’ asked the scarecrow. ‘’I guess. I’ve never looked.’’ replied Lioness. ‘’I’m going with Pixie and Tin to ask the Great Sir Spand-Oz to give me some,’’ remarked Scarecrow, ‘’my head’s stuffed with straw.’’ ‘’And I’m gonna ask him to give me a heart,’’ said the Woodsgirl. ‘’And last, but not least, I’m going to ask him to send me and Odie back to my school.’’ ‘’D’you think this Spand-Oz guy could give me some courage?’’ asked the Cowardly Lioness. ‘’Just as easily as he could give me brains,’’ said Scarecrow. ‘’Or give me a heart,’’ said Tin. ‘’Or send me back home.’’ said Pixie. ‘’Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll go with you,’’ said Lioness. ‘’for my life is miserable without courage.’’ ‘’You will be very welcome,’’ answered Pixie, ‘’for you will help with keeping away other wild beasts. It seems to me they must be more cowardly than you are if they allow you to scare them so easily.’’ So once more the little company set off upon the journey, Lioness walking with stately strides at Pixie’s side. Scarecrow looked a little confused. He spoke up, ‘’Hey guys, you ever noticed that the author of this fan fiction likes beginning sentences with the word ‘for’?’’
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Chapter 6: The Journey to the Great Sir Spand-Oz
The following day was to be very eventful for Pixie and her fellow travelers. They were walking for an hour when they saw before them a great ditch that crossed the road and divided the forest as far as they could see on the other side. ‘’Oh great. What do we do now?’’ asked Pixie, slapping a palm to her face. ‘’I think I can jump it,’’ said Lioness, carefully measuring the distance in her mind. ‘’Then I think we’re good.’’ answered Scarecrow. ‘’You can carry us over on your back, one at a time, right?’’ ‘’I suppose.’’ said Lioness. ‘’Then could someone give me a lift up, I’m only like one foot tall.’’ ‘’I’ll help you, M- I-I mean, Scarecrow.’’ Pixie reassured him. She lifted the little straw frog onto the Lion’s back. ‘’Thank you. Now, forward; you magnificent beast!’’ ‘’Sure thing, Frogman.’’ Lioness laughed. The beast walked to the edge of the gulf and crouched down. Then giving a great spring, she shot through the air. Scarecrow had to grip onto his pointed hat, for the wind was about to send it flying off. Lioness and Scarecrow finally got down to the ground and landed safely on the other side. They were all greatly pleased to see how easily it was done. Scarecrow got off and Lioness sprang across the ditch again. Pixie thought she would go next, so she took Odie in her arms and climbed onto the Lioness’s back, holding tightly to the lioness’s short mane with one hand. The next moment, it seemed as if she was flying through the open air, and then, before she had time to think about it, she was safe on the other side. Lioness went back a third time and got Tin to the other side.
They found the forest very thick on this side, and it looked dark and gloomy. After the lioness had rested, they started along the yellow and green brick, silently wondering, each in their own mind, if they were ever to come to the end of the woods and reach the bright sunshine again. They were relieved as the trees grew thinner as they advanced, and they suddenly cam across a broad river, flowing swiftly just before them. On the other side of the water they could see the road of yellow and green brick running through a beautiful country. ‘’How are we gonna cross the river?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’I think this can be easily done,’’ replied Scarecrow. ‘’If Tin can cut some wood and build a raft, so we can get to the other side.’’ So Tin took her axe and began to chop down small trees to make a raft. When the raft was nearly done, and after Tin had cut a few more logs and fastened them together with wooden pins, they were ready to start. Scarecrow and Tin stood upon either end of the raft to steady it. They had long poles in their hands to push the raft through the water. They got along pretty well at first, but when they reached the middle of the river the swift current swept the raft downstream, farther and farther away from the Yellow Pore Road. The water grew so deep that the long poles wouldn’t touch the bottom. ‘’This is bad,’’ said Tin, ‘’for if we can’t get to the land, we shall be carried into the country of the Wicked Witch of the West, and she’ll put a spell on us and make us her slaves!’’ ‘’Well, we gotta get to Sapphire Metropolis if we can! We just need to go faster!’’ Scarecrow continued, and he pushed so hard on his long pole that it stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river. Then, before he could pull it out again – or let go – the raft was swept away, and the poor little straw-frog was left clinging to the pole in the middle of the river. Of course this was a bad thing for Scarecrow. ‘’I’m now worse off than when I first met Pixie,’’ he thought, ‘’Then I was stuck on a pole in a cornfield, where I could at least pretend to scare crows at any rate. But surely there’s no use for a scarecrow stuck on a pole in the middle of a river! I’m afraid I’ll never have any brains after all!’’ Down the stream the raft floated, and poor Scarecrow was left far behind. Lioness said in earnest, ‘’Something must be done to save us. I think I can swim to the shore and pull the raft after me, if you’ll only hold fast to the tip of my tail.’’ So she sprang into the water, and Tin caught fast hold of her tail. Then Lioness began to swim with all her might toward the shore. It was hard work, but by and by they were drawn out of the current. They were all tired out when they reached the shore at last and stepped off upon the pretty green grass, and they also knew that the stream had carried them a long way past the road of yellow and green brick that led to Sapphire Metropolis. Then they all looked at the river and saw Scarecrow perched upon his pole in the middle of the river, looking very lonely and sad. ‘’What can we do to save him?!’’ asked Pixie worriedly. Tin and Lioness both shook their heads, for they didn’t know. So they sat down upon the bank and gazed wistfully at the scarecrow until a stork flew by, who, upon seeing them, stopped to rest at the water’s edge. ‘’What are you doing here?’’ asked the stork. ‘’We’ve lost our friend, Scarecrow, and are wondering how we’re going to get him from the middle of the river,’’ answered Pixie woefully. ‘’Well, where is he?’’ the stork asked. ‘’Over there in the river,’’ answered the girl. ‘’If he wasn’t so big and heavy, I’d get him for you.’’ remarked the stork. ‘’But he isn’t heavy at all!’’ said Pixie eagerly, ‘’He’s just a little frog stuffed with straw!’’ ‘’Well, I’ll give it a shot,’’ said the stork, ‘’but if I find he’s too heavy to carry, I’ll have to drop him in the river again.’’ So the big bird flew into the air and over the water until she came to where the scarecrow was perched upon his pole. Then the stork, with her great claws grabbed Scarecrow by his arm and carried him up into the air and back to the bank. When Scarecrow found himself among his friends again, Odie was so happy that he tackled the scarecrow and began licking him all over. ‘’Thank you,’’ said Pixie to the kind stork, who flew into the air and was soon out of sight.
They walked along, listening to the singing of the brightly colored birds and looking at the lovely flowers which now became so thick that the ground was carpeted with them. There were big yellow and white and blue and purple blossoms, beside great clusters of scarlet poppies, which were so brilliant in color they almost dazzled Pixie’s eyes. ‘’Aren’t they beautiful?’’ she asked as she breathed in the spicy scent of the bright flowers. They now came upon more and more of the big scarlet poppies. It’s well known that when there are so many of these flowers together their odor is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls fast asleep, and sometimes sleeping on and on forever. But Pixie didn’t know this, nor could she get away from the bright red flowers that were everywhere. Her eyes grew heavy. She lay down among the flowers to rest – and was soon fast asleep. ‘’What shall we do?!’’ asked Tin frantically. ‘’If we leave her here, she’ll die,’’ said Lioness. ‘’The smell is killing us all. I myself can barely keep my eyes open, and the dog is already asleep too.’’ It was true. Odie had fallen down beside his little mistress. But Scarecrow and Tin weren’t troubled by the scent of the flowers. ‘’Run fast,’’ said Scarecrow to the lioness, ‘’and get out of the flower bed as soon as you can. We can bring Pixie with us, but if you were to fall asleep we would need a bit of help.’’ So, Lioness bounded forward as the scarecrow and the tin girl carried the sleeping girl and her dog between them through the ongoing flowers. On and on they walked, and it seemed the carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end. They followed the river, and at last came across Lioness, lying fast asleep among the poppies. The flowers had been to strong for her and she had given up at last. She had fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppy bed, where the sweet emerald grass spread in beautiful fields before them. ‘’We can’t do anything for her,’’ said Tin, ‘’she is a little too heavy for us to carry, now that we have Pixie and Odie. I’m afraid we’ll have to leave Lioness behind to sleep on forever and ever, and perhaps she will dream that she’s found courage.’’ They carried the sleeping Pixie and her dog to a pretty spot beside the river, a good distance from the poppies to prevent her from breathing in more of the poisonous odor. Here they laid her gently on the soft grass and waited for the fresh breeze to awaken her.
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Chapter 7: King Kermit of the Field Frogs
‘’We can’t be far from the road, now,’’ remarked Scarecrow, as he stood beside Pixie. ‘’We’ve come nearly as far as the river carried us away.’’ Tin was about to reply when he heard a low growl. Turning her head, she saw a strange beast come bounding over the grass toward them. It was, indeed, a great yellow wildcat. Tin thought it must’ve been chasing something, for its ears were lying close to its head and its mouth was wide open, showing two rows of ugly teeth. Its red eyes glowed like blazing balls of fire. As it came nearer, Tin saw the beast was chasing a little green field frog. Although she had no heart, Tin knew it was wrong for the wildcat to kill such a pretty, harmless creature. So she raised her axe and killed the wildcat. ‘’Oh, well thank you!” said the frog in a kind clear voice. ‘’Thank you ever so much for saving my life.’’ ‘’Don’t speak of it, I beg of you,’’ replied the woodsgirl, ‘’I have no heart, you know, so I’m careful to help all those who may need a friend, even if it happens to be only a frog with a funny, pointy color around his neck.’’ ‘’Only a frog?!’’ cried the little amphibian. ‘’I’m a king – King Kermit of the Field Frogs!’’ ‘’Oh, indeed.’’ said Tin, making a curtsy. ‘’Therefore, you’ve done a great deed, as well as a brave one, in saving my life.’’ added King Kermit. At that moment several frogs, and apparently a female pig with long blonde hair, ran up as fast their little legs could carry them. ‘’Oh Kermie, my love! We thought you would be killed! How did you manage to escape the Wildcat, you handsome man beast?’’ cried the female pig, strangling King Kermit so much that he was squirming and whimpering a little. The frogs bowed so low to the little King that they almost stood upon their heads. ‘’This tin girl killed the Wildcat,’’ he answered, ‘’and saved my life.’’ Suddenly, the frogs scampered away, for Odie had awakened from his slumber. Seeing all these frogs around him, he gave one bark of delight and jumped right into the middle of the group. But Tin caught him in her arms and held him tight. She called to the frogs, ‘’Come back! Come back! Odie won’t hurt you.’’ King Kermit stuck his head out from behind a rock and asked timidly, ‘’Are you sure he won’t bite us or something?’’ ‘’I will not let him,’’ said Tin, ‘’so don’t be afraid.’’ One by one the frogs came creeping back, and Odie didn’t bark again. One of the biggest frogs spoke. ‘’Is there anything we can do to repay you for saving the life of our King?’’ ‘’Nothing that I know of.’’ replied Tin. Scarecrow, who had been trying to think, but couldn’t because of his head being stuffed with straw, stepped up. He was a little surprised to see other frogs like him, and how King Kermit was only a few inches taller than he. King Kermit looked equally as surprised to see a frog made of straw. Scarecrow looked to all the others. ‘’You could help us save our friend, the Cowardly Lioness, who is asleep in the poppy bed.’’ ‘’A lion?!’’ cried the pig. ‘’No way! Do you know what they do to my kind?!’’ ‘’Lady Piggy, I think it’s fine. He did say ‘’cowardly’’.’’ implied King Kermit. Lady Piggy scowled at him. ‘’Cowardly my foot! Why, he’d eat us all up! If you want children, you better HOPE I stay alive!’’ ‘’Oh no,’’ declared Scarecrow. ‘’He would never hurt anyone who is our friend. If you’ll help us to save him, I promise that he’ll treat you all with kindness.’’ ‘’Very well,’’ said the King, ‘’we trust you. But what shall we do?’’ ‘’Are there many of these frogs that call you King and are willing to obey you?’’ ‘’Oh, yes! There are thousands.’’ he replied. ‘’Then send for them all to come here as soon as possible, and let each one bring a long piece of string.’’ King Kermit turned to the frogs and told them to go at once and get all of his subjects. ‘’Now Tin,’’ said the scarecrow to the tin girl, ‘’you gotta go to the trees by the riverside and make some typed of truck that’ll carry Lioness. And try not to get distracted if you see Graeme Proctor or Doctor Who.’’ ‘’I’m on the job!’’ she replied.
So Tin went at once to the trees and began to work. Soon she made a truck out of the limbs of trees. The frogs came from all directions, and there were thousands of them – big frogs and little frogs and middle sized frogs. Each one brought a piece of string in his mouth. It was about this time that Pixie awoke from her long sleep and opened her eyes. ‘’Wow that must’ve been some party last night… WHAT THE-?!’’ She was greatly astonished to find herself lying upon the grass, with thousands of frogs standing around and looking at her timidly. ‘’Scarecrow! Are you responsible for this?!’’ Pixie cried. Scarecrow popped up out of nowhere. ‘’For the first time ever, I’m not. I know, I’m scared too.’’ ‘’Well what’s with all the frogs? And why are Kermit and Miss Piggy here and not back at Spongeopolis?’’ The scarecrow looked confused. He looked around. ‘’Kermit? Miss Piggy? Spongeopolis? I guess you must’ve been sleeping on a rock or something. Any who, Lioness fell asleep in the flowers and King Kermit, his… girlfriend I guess, and all these frogs are gonna help us get her out of here.’’ Scarecrow turned to the dignified little Frog and said, ‘’Permit me to introduce you to His Majesty, King Kermit.’’ Pixie nodded thoughtfully at him and King Kermit bowed low to the ground, after which he became quite friendly with the girl. ‘’Alright Scarecrow, it’s done!’’ The truck made of logs and wood stood in the middle of the field. After a great deal of hard work, and Scarecrow’s left arm repeatedly falling off, Scarecrow and Tin pulled the heavy Lioness up onto the truck. They fastened the frogs to the truck, using the strings they had brought. At first the little frogs could hardly stir the heavily loaded truck. Tin and Scarecrow both pushed from behind, and they got along better. Soon they rolled Lioness out of the poppy bed to the green field, where she could breathe the sweet, fresh air again. Pixie came to meet them and thanked the little frogs warmly for saving her friend from death. She had grown so fond of Lioness she was glad that they had rescued her. Then the frogs were unharnessed from the truck and they scampered away through the nearby swamp to their homes. Lady Piggy was the last to leave. ‘’If you ever need us again,’’ she said, ‘’come out into the field and blow upon this whistle.’’ Lady Piggy handed Pixie a little green whistle with a gold emblem on it. ‘’We’ll hear you and come to your aid. Goodbye!’’ ‘’Goodbye!’’ they all answered. And away the Lady ran, picking up the hem of her dress as she did so, while Pixie held Odie tightly lest he should run after her and frighten her. After this they sat down beside Lioness until she awakened. When she did open her eyes and roll off the truck, he was glad to find herself still alive. ‘’What’d I miss?’’ Tin looked up from a DSi battle with Scarecrow and Pixie. ‘’Oh, King Kermit of the Field Frogs and his subjects pulled you over here. CRAP! THAT WAS MY LAST LIFE! YOU SUCK SCARECROW, YOU SUCK!’’ screamed Tin, turning off her DSi. ‘’Yeah, man! Not cool!’’ said Pixie. ‘’Heheh. Luigi owns you ALL! BOW DOWN TO HIM!’’ yelled Scarecrow to Tin’s crushing defeat at Mario Kart. Lioness laughed. ‘’I always considered myself very big and terrible. Yet such small animals as frogs have saved my life. How strange it all is!’’ Once Lioness was fully refreshed, and feeling quite herself again, they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk through the soft, fresh grass. It wasn’t long before they reached the road of yellow and green brick and turned again toward Sapphire Metropolis where the Great Sir Spand-Oz lived.
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Chapter 8: the Guardian of the Gates
They soon saw a beautiful blue glow in the sky just before them. ‘’This must be Sapphire Metropolis.’’ said Pixie. As they walked on, the blue glow became brighter and brighter, and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels. They soon came to the great wall that surrounded the Metropolis. It was high and thick and of a darkish blue color. In front of them, at the end of the Yellow Pore Road, was a big gate, all studded with sapphires. They glittered so in the sun that even Scarecrow’s painted eyes were dazzled by their brilliance. There was a bell beside the gate, and Pixie pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within. Then they big blue gate swung slowly open. They all passed through and found themselves in a high arched room with walls of glittering sapphires. Before them stood an odd looking little thing with a crooked nose and friendly looking eyes with yellow and green eyelids. ‘’Gonzo looks so cute in his little uniform.’’ thought Pixie to herself. He was clothed all in blue, from his head to his feet, even his fur and the stray hairs peeking out from under his hat were a rich dark blue. When he saw Pixie and her companions, he was compelled to ask, ‘’Hello, I’m Gonzo, I’m the Guardian of the Gates to Sapphire Metropolis.’’ Gonzo said with a smile. ‘’What do you wish in Sapphire Metropolis?’’ ‘’We came to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz.’’ said Pixie. The little blue whatever was so surprised at this answer that he stepped back a little to think it over. ‘’Wow, it’s been many years since anyone asked me to see Sir Spand-Oz,’’ he said shaking his head. ‘’He is powerful and terrible, and I really don’t want anyone else to get hurt by a foolish errand. He could destroy you all with a ZAP!’’ said Gonzo, waving his arms around to imitate an explosion. ‘’But it isn’t a foolish errand,’’ replied Scarecrow. ‘’It’s important, and we have been told that Sir Spand-Oz is a good wizard.’’ ‘’So he is,’’ said the blue man, ‘’and he rules Sapphire Metropolis wisely and well. But to those who aren’t honest, or who approach him from curiosity, he is most terrible. Few have ever dared ask to see his face. As you know, I’m the Guardian of the Gates – and since you demand to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz, I must take you to his palace. But first you must put on these eyeglasses.’’ ‘’Why?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Because if you didn’t wear eyeglasses the brightness and glory of Sapphire Metropolis would blind you.’’ Gonzo opened a big box that was filled with blue-tinted eyeglasses of all shapes and sizes. He fitted each of them with a pair – even Odie. Then the Guardian of the Gates adjusted his own glasses and told them he was ready to show them to the palace. Taking a big golden key from a peg on the wall, he opened another gate, and they all followed him into the streets of Sapphire Metropolis.
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Chapter 9: The Wonderful Sapphire Metropolis of Spand-Oz
Even with the blue glasses, Pixie and her friends were at first dazzled by the wonderful Metropolis. All the beautiful houses glittered with sapphires and the road was of shiny blue marble. There were many people going to and fro between sparkly shops – shops for blue candy, blue shoes, blue hats, blue clothes, and blue SpongeBob DVDs. Gonzo, the Guardian of the Gates, led them through the streets until they came to a big building exactly in the middle of the Metropolis, which was the Palace of Sir Spand-Oz, the Great Wizard. There was a soldier before the door; he was a little brown rat in a blue uniform, very similar to Rizzo he was. ‘’Here are strangers,’’ said Gonzo, ‘’and they demand to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’Step inside.’’ said the rat. ‘’I’ll carry your message to him.’’ So they passed through the palace gates and were led into a big room with a blue carpet and lovely blue furniture set with sapphires. The soldier made them all wipe their feet on a blue mat before entering this room, and when they were seated he said politely, ‘’Make yourselves comfortable while I go to the door of the Throne Room and tell Sir Spand-Oz that you’re here.’’ They had to wait a long time before the soldier returned. Scarecrow still kept kicking everyone’s butt on Mario Kart DSi. At last the solider had returned. Pixie turned her head. ‘’Mr. Soldier, have you ever seen Sir Spand-Oz before?’’ ‘’Oh, no.’’ returned the rat. ‘’I’ve never seen him. But I spoke to him as he sat behind the screen and gave him your message. He said he’ll grant you an audience, if you so desire, but you must wait until tomorrow to enter his presence. Therefore, you’ve gotta stay here, in the palace. I’ll have you shown to your rooms.’’ ‘’Thank you,’’ replied Pixie, ‘’that’s really kind of Sir Spand-Oz.’’ The rat soldier blew upon a blue whistle and at once a young woman (who seemed similar to Miss Stape in a weird way) in pretty blue silk gown entered the room. She had lovely bluish hair and blue eyes. Pixie smiled. ‘’Glad to know I’m not the only one here with blue hair.’’ she remarked. She bowed low before Pixie as she said, ‘’Follow me and I will show you to your room.’’
The next morning, after breakfast and some Mario Kart, the blue maiden went off to fetch Pixie and dressed her in one of the prettiest gowns, made of blue satin. Pixie put on a blue silk apron over it and tied a blue ribbon around Odie’s neck and started for the Throne Room. They waited in the blue hall until a bell rang. The blue woman said to Pixie, ‘’That is the signal. You must go into the Throne Room alone.’’ She opened a little door and Pixie walked boldly through and found herself in a wonderful place. It was a big, round room with a high arched roof, and the walls and ceiling and floor were covered with large sapphires set closely together. In the center of the roof was a great light, as bright as the sun, which made the sapphires sparkle in a wonderful manner. But what interested Pixie the most was the big throne of blue marble that stood in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a chair and sparkled with gems, as did everything else. In the center of the chair was an enormous head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatsoever. There was no hair upon this head, but it had eyes and a nose and a mouth, and was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant. ‘’Whoa… big head, much?’’ said Pixie as she gazed upon this in wonder and fear. She heard a voice say: ‘’I am Sir Spand-Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?’’ It was not such an awful voice as she had expected Spand-Oz to sound. So she took all her courage and answered. ‘’I am Pixie, the Small and Meek. I’ve come to you for help.’’ The eyes looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. Then said the voice: ‘’Where did you get the Silver Shoes… because they’re FABULOUS!’’ Pixie blinked twice. ‘’Err, yeah… I got them from the Wicked Witch of the East, when my school fell on her and killed her,’’ she replied. ‘’Where did you get the mark on your forehead?’’ continued the voice. ‘’That’s where Glindor; the Good Warlock of the North kissed me when he said goodbye and sent me to you.’’ said the girl. Again the eyes looked at her sharply, and they saw she was telling the truth. Then Sir Spand-Oz asked, ‘’What do you wish me to do?’’ ‘’Send me back to Spongeopolis, where M and GG and Peaches and the rest of my friends are!’’ she answered earnestly. Spand-Oz scoffed. ‘’Why should I help you?’’ he asked. ‘’Because you’re strong, and I am weak; because you’re a great wizard, and I am only a girl.’’ ‘’But you were strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East.’’ said Spand-Oz. ‘’Hey, that just happened.’’ returned Pixie simply. ‘’I couldn’t help it.’’ ‘’Well,’’ said the head, ‘’I’ll give you my answer. You have no right to expect me to send you back to Spongeopolis unless you do something for me in return. Help me, and I’ll help you.’’ ‘’What do I have to do?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Kill the Wicked Witch of the West.’’ answered Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’But I can’t do THAT!’’ exclaimed Pixie, greatly surprised. ‘’You killed the Witch of the East and you wear the Silver Shoes and they bear a powerful charm! There is now but ONE Wicked Witch left in all this land, and when you can tell me she’s dead I’ll send you back to Spongeopolis – but not before.’’ ‘’Hey Wizard.’’ ‘’What?’’ ‘’The Witch is dead.’’ ‘’I DIDN’T MEAN THAT, SMARTMOUTH!’’ he boomed at her witty remark. ‘’NOW LEAVE MY PRESENCE!’’ Sorrowfully, Pixie left the Throne Room and went back to where her friends were waiting to hear what the wizard had said to her. ‘’Hey, what went on in THERE?’’ asked Tin. Pixie frowned. ‘’There’s no hope for me,’’ she said sadly, ‘’for Sir Spand-Oz won’t send me home until I have killed the Wicked Witch of the West – and I can never do that.’’ Next, the rat soldier with the blue uniform came to Scarecrow, Tin, and Lioness and said to them; ‘’Come with me, for Sir Spand-Oz has sent for you.’’ The three of them followed him and were admitted into the Throne Room, where they were surprised to find before the Throne was a ball of fire, so fierce and glowing that they could scarcely bear to gaze upon it. A low, raspy voice rose from the fire, and these words were spoken: ‘’I am Sir Spand-Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?’’ Scarecrow stepped forward and said, ‘’I am only a Scarecrow… well technically a frog… stuffed with straw. Therefore I have no brains, and I come to you praying that you’ll put brains in my head instead of straw, so that I can be as smart as any other of my kind.’’ Next, Tin spoke up. ‘’I’m a Woodsgirl, and made of pure tin. Therefore I have no heart and I can’t love. I pray you to give me a heart that I may be as any other women and men are.’’ And Lioness answered, ‘’I am a Cowardly Lioness, afraid of everything. I come to you to beg that you give me some courage, so that I can truly be the Queen of Beasts.’’ ‘’Why should I grant you these petty little things?’’ demanded Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’Because of all wizards, you’re the greatest, and alone have the power to grant our requests.’’ answered Lioness. The ball of fire burned fiercely for a time, and the voice said, ‘’I don’t grant favors without something in return, but this much I’ll promise. If you’ll kill the Wicked Witch of the West, I will bestow upon you the brains, heart, and courage you seek.’’ ‘’Wait, hold up. You asked Pixie to kill her.’’ said Scarecrow in outrage. ‘’I don’t care who kills her! But until she’s dead I won’t grant any of your wishes. Now go and don’t seek me again until you have earned what you so greatly desire, you freaks!’’ Tin’s metal ears grew red with anger. Steam flew out of them as she stepped forward. ‘’Oh I’LL show you to seek something, a d**ned hospital, you son of a-‘’ Lioness covered Tin’s mouth as Scarecrow held the angry metal girl back. Lioness was angry at his speech, but couldn’t say anything in reply, and while she stood silently gazing at the ball of fire, it became so furiously hot that she turned tail and rushed from the room – her comrades close behind. They told Pixie the Wizard’s command. ‘’What do we do now?’’ asked Pixie sadly. ‘’There’s only one thing to do,’’ returned Lioness, ‘’and that is to leave tomorrow to seek out the Wicked Witch, and destroy her.’’
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Chapter 10: The Search for the Wicked Witch
At daylight, our friends started toward the West, walking over fields of soft grass dotted here and there with daisies and buttercups. Sapphire Metropolis was soon left behind.
In a dark castle, far off from Sapphire Metropolis, there lived the Wicked Witch. She had long tangled brown hair and was part mermaid. She scowled as she looked out into the distance. Now, the Wicked Witch of the West had two eyes. One was a magical one. That eye was as powerful as a telescope and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her black gothic themed castle, she happened to look around, and she saw Pixie and her friends. They were a long distance off, but the Witch was angry to find them in her country, so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck. At once there came running to her from all directions a pack of great sea bears. They all had vicious eyes and snarling mouths. ‘’Go to those people,’’ said the Witch, ‘’and shred ‘em to pieces!’’ ‘’Very well.’’ said the leader of the pack. He dashed away at full speed, followed by the others. It was lucky that Tin had heard the sea bears coming. ‘’This is my fight,’’ she said, ‘’so get behind me and I’ll meet them as they come.’’ She seized her axe, and, as the leader of the sea bears came on, Tin swung her arm and chopped the bear’s head off, killing it instantly. There were forty of them, and forty times a sea bear was killed. They all lay dead in a heap before Tin.
The next morning, the mermaid Witch came to the door of her castle and looked out with her magical eye. She saw the decaying bodies of the sea bears and saw the travelers still traveling through her country. This made her angrier than before. ‘’Oh, screw going along with the storyline and blowing the whistle two more times! I want them DEAD! FLYING NINJAS!’’ she shrieked. The sky was darkened and a low rumbling sound was heard in the air. There was a rushing of many wings and no other sounds, considering ninjas are believed to be silent. The sun came out of the dark sky to show the Wicked Witch surrounded by a crowd of ninjas. One, much bigger than the others with an X on his forehead flew close to the Witch and said, ‘’You have called us for the last time. What do you wish? And can it be to destroy Garu? Because I think today we should destroy Garu.’’ ‘’Go to those strangers and destroy them. All except for the Lioness. I will harness her and use her for work!’’ she cackled. ‘’Your command will be obeyed.’’ said the leader. ‘’ Then, with a great deal of noise, the Flying Ninjas flew away to the place where Pixie and her friends were walking. Some of the ninjas tried to seize Tin, but she ducked at the last minute. Pixie saw them head for Scarecrow, who was scared and confused. ‘’Scarecrow! Look out!’’ It was too late. Others of the ninjas caught Scarecrow and ripped the straw from his body. They noticed blood came out with it. The lead ninja stopped. ‘’This one must have real frog in him… keep tearing! I WANT TO SEE MORE BLOOD!’’ he laughed evilly. Everyone was silent, except for the ninjas. Scarecrow was laughing weakly. ‘’I-If I know I was gonna d-die like this… I woulda… prepared…’’ he stuttered, trying to make the situation more humorous. Pixie kneeled down to him, tears falling from her eyes. ‘’Scarecrow, stop it! Y-You’re dying! You shouldn’t be m-making jokes…’’ she sobbed. Scarecrow smiled weakly. ‘’You gotta… make the best of a situation…’’ he said. Pixie held his small hands. Tin was crying into her hands, Lioness was fighting off the ninjas, and Odie was whining and howling sadly. Scarecrow looked up to Pixie. ‘’W-When you defeat the Witch… tell… t-tell Spand-Oz I d-don’t need brains where I’m going.’’ he whispered. Pixie’s face was contorted with shock. His little eyes were closing and blinking slowly. Before Pixie could say anything else, seized her and pulled her into the air, along with Lioness. They saw the mark on her forehead and did not harm her and Odie, though. ‘’We dare not harm her. For she has the Warlock’s Kiss and is protected by the Power of Good.’’ said the leader. ‘’Carry her away to the Witch!’’ he screamed. They carried Pixie high into the air, and the last few ninjas lifted Lioness in a giant net. The other few grabbed Tin and dropped her off into a rocky chasm of dark spines. They dropped her, and battered her so badly that she couldn’t move or groan. As he watched the remaining two be carried away, Scarecrow’s pupils turned smaller and smaller. He closed them slowly. For the very last time.
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Chapter 1: The Cyclone
Pixie lived in the midst of the great city of Spongeopolis with the many people who inhabited the local school. The school was rather small. There were four walls, a couple of other rooms, and a roof, which made up about three classrooms. There wasn’t a storage shelter whatsoever, and there was no cellar-except for a small hole dug in the ground called the hurricane shelter, where the students and teachers would go in case a whirlwind arose. It was reached by a trap door in the middle of the floor. A ladder led down into the small, dark hole. Today, Peaches sat on the doorstep and looked nervously at the sky, which was even grayer than usual. Dorothy stood at the door with a little black dog named Odie, which belonged to one of her friends. GG was in the main classroom, sweeping the floor while M, the little frog, was sorting out the books (careful to come across any vampire romance novels). From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind, and Peaches and Pixie could see where the long grass bowed forcefully before the imminent storm approaching. Suddenly Peaches stood up. ‘’There’s a hurricane coming our way, guys!’’ she called to all the students and teachers. ‘’Quick, Pixie!’’ GG screamed over the wind. ‘’Run for the cellar!’’ Odie ran away from Pixie’s side, terribly frightened by the wind rocking the house. ‘’Odie!’’ Pixie ran after him. M, badly frightened as well, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark hole. Pixie caught Odie at last and started to follow her friends. When she was halfway across the floor, their came a bloodcurdling shriek from the wind, and the house shook so violently that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly on the floor. Then something strange happened. The school whirled around and around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Pixie felt as if she and Odie were going up in a balloon. It was very dark, and the wind was howling all around her through the crevices in the walls, but Pixie found that she was riding rather easily. After the first few whirls around, she felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle. In the face of the swaying of the school and the wailing of the wind, Pixie closed her eyes and fell asleep.
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Chapter 2: The Council with the Spongekins
She was awakened by a loud ‘thud!’ so sudden that if Pixie had not have been lying on the soft carpet; she may have been badly injured. The shock made her catch her breath and Odie put his cold little nose into her face and whined sadly. Pixie sat up, blue hair flying askew, and took notice that the building was no longer rocking and swaying with the wind. ‘’I don’t know what that was, but sure as heck it wasn’t a hurricane.’’ Odie whined and lay down on the floor. It wasn’t dark either, as sunlight crept in through a cracked window. ‘’C’mon, Odie. Let’s see where we ended up.’’ She sprang to her feet with Odie nipping at her heels, and ran over to open the door. Pixie’s eyes lit up with wonder. The hurricane had set the school down very gently (for a hurricane) in the midst of an unknown country with blinding beauty. There were patches of green earth all around, with imperial trees bearing rather large and delicious fruit. Flamboyant flowers were everywhere, and iridescent butterflies hummed and fluttered around them. ‘’Wow… I don’t think we’re in Spongeopolis anymore. In fact, I’m not even sure what this place is.’’ Odie barked and chased a couple of birds that fluttered around. Pixie noticed the oddest looking people she had ever seen running toward her. They weren’t humans, they looked a little like… sponges. And one of them looked like a human man, but she couldn’t exactly tell. They were somewhere around the height of a large emperor penguin, except for the human man who towered over the two others. The two sponge-looking creatures alongside the man were oddly dressed. They wore round hats that rose into points with little bells around the trims that tinkled lightly when they moved. The sponges looked very old, but the man was young and handsome with a boyish face. He was wearing a large pointed hat with long flowing robes of midnight blue. Pixie vaguely thought of M’s older human brother, N. ‘’Who are these weirdoes?’’ Pixie mumbled to herself. ‘’And why do they look like something out of Harry Potter?’’ The three of them drew nearer towards the school where Pixie was standing in the doorway. The tall man in the robes flounced up to Pixie, robes fluttering a little, and made a low bow. ‘’Thank you.’’ He said in a kind deep voice. Pixie looked confused. ‘’Huh? For what?’’ she asked. ‘’You are welcome the land of the Spongekins. We are forever grateful to you for you having killed the Wicked Witch of the East and setting my people free.’’ Pixie said anxiously, ‘’Well, thank you. You’re really nice and all, but I’m afraid I haven’t killed anyone.’’ ‘’Your schoolhouse did anyway,’’ Replied the man with a laugh. ‘’and that is pretty much the same thing. See!’’ He pointed to the corner of the house. ‘’There are her two feet, still sticking out from a block of bricks.’’ ‘’Ew, really?’’ Pixie looked around and gave a little cry of fright. There, indeed, just under a corner of the school, were two feet sticking out-wearing silver shoes with pointed toes. ‘’Oh my God!’’ cried Pixie, recoiling a little. ‘’The school must have fallen on her!’’
‘’Well, DUH.’’ Interrupted the bearded Spongekin. The man nudged him. ‘’Rubeus, don’t be rude.’’ ‘’We have to do something, quick!’’ cried Pixie frantically. ‘’There is nothing that can be done.’’ Said the man. ‘’But who was she?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’She was the Wicked Witch of the East, as I said earlier.’’ The man paused. ‘’She has held the Spongekins and I in captivity for many years, making them slave for her night and day until they died of exhaustion. Rubeus here almost died of such, if my memory serves right.’’ ‘’ Aye, ‘tis true.’’ Rubeus replied in his gruff Irish voice. ‘’Who are the Spongekins?’’ ‘’They are the inhabitants of this land of the East, where the Witch has ruled.’’ Answered the man. ‘’Are you a Spongekin?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’No, I am their friend. Although I reside in the North, they sent a message to me as soon as they found out that the Witch was dead. You see, she was my sister.’’ He explained. ‘’I am Glindor, the Warlock of the North.’’ ‘’Gracious! You’re a real Warlock?’’ ‘’Yes indeed.’’ answered Glindor. ‘’But I’m what your world would call ‘the good guy’ and the people love me. I am not as powerful as the Wicked Witch who ruled here, or I would have set the people free myself.’’ Pixie was about to ask another question, but the Spongekins, who had been standing by silently, gave a loud whistle and pointed to the corner where the Witch was lying. ‘’What is it?’’ asked Glindor. He looked and began to laugh. The feet of the dead Witch had disappeared. All that was left were the silver shoes. ‘’She was so old,’’ began Glindor, ‘’that she dried up quickly in the sun. Well, that’s the end of her. But the Silver Shoes are yours to wear.’’ Glindor reached down and grabbed the shoes, shook the dust out of them, and handed them to a quite flabbergasted Pixie. ‘’The Witch of the East was proud of those shoes,’’ said Silverbeard, the Spongekin beside Rubeus, ‘’and they have a magic charm, but we are not too terribly sure what it is.’’ Pixie shrugged. ‘’Eh, what could possibly go wrong?’’ She took off her old leather shoes and slipped on the silver ones. They fit her as well as if they were made for her. ‘’I’m really anxious to get back home to my friends, ‘cause I’m sure they’re worried sick about me. Can you help me go back?’’ ‘’You must go to Sapphire Metropolis’’ said the Warlock. ‘’Perhaps Sir Spand-Oz can help you.’’ ‘’Well, where’s Sapphire Metropolis? Get on with it, you Dumbledore wannabe!’’ Pixie asked demandingly. Glindor rolled his eyes. ‘’It is exactly in the center of the country. It is ruled by Sir Spand-Oz, the Great Wizard.’’ ‘’Is he a good guy?’’ she inquired. ‘’He’s a good wizard. Whether he is a man or not, I cannot tell, for I have never seen him.’’ ‘’How can I get there?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Is there a bus or something?’’ ‘’Sorry, you’ll have to walk.’’ said Glindor. Pixie groaned. Glindor held up his hand as if to silence her. ‘’It is a long journey through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and merciless. However, I will use my most powerful magic to keep you out of harm’s way.’’ ‘’Won’t you go with me, Mr. Glindor?’’ she asked pleadingly. ‘’I am afraid I cannot do that.’’ he sighed. ‘’But I will give you my kiss.’’ Pixie looked a little repulsed. ‘’Look, you’re nice and all, but there’s only one man in my life… and that’s my sweet SpongeBob…’’ she finished with a dreamy gaze. ‘’No one would dare to injure anyone who has been kissed by the Warlock of the North.’’ Glindor came close to Pixie and kissed her gently on her forehead. Where his lips touched her, a little silver mark formed, as Pixie would find out about later. ‘’The road to Sapphire Metropolis is paved with yellow and green brick. A road we call the Yellow Pore Road.’’ said Glindor. ‘’Follow it, and you will not stray far. When you get to Sir Spand-Oz, do not fear him, but tell him your story and ask him to help you. Goodbye, my dear.’’
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Chapter 3: How Pixie had Saved the Scarecrow
Pixie had only one other dress that was hanging on a peg in the Teacher’s Lounge. It was adorned with checks of white and blue. The dress was somewhat faded, but it was still a pretty little thing. So, Pixie went back inside the school, washed her face a little, put on the clean dress, and untied her waist length hair out of its ponytail. She found a little basket and put some food from the fridge in the Lounge, laying a little green cloth on top of it. ‘’Come on, Odie.’’ she said. ‘’We’re gonna go to Sapphire Metropolis and ask the Wizard to send us home.’’
Odie barked and wagged his stubby tail as the two of them headed out on the road. There were a few roads nearby, but it did not take her long to find the Yellow Pore road. Within a short time, she was on her way, the Silver Shoes tinkling softly on the bricks.
‘’My feet are seriously killing me…’’ Pixie moaned, wiping the sweat from her face. Odie was panting until he finally collapsed on the pavement, tongue lolling out from the side of his mouth. Pixie looked over to see a fence nearby. ‘’Well, it’s no Teacher’s Lounge, but it’ll do.’’ She climbed up on the fence and sat down. Naturally, there was a cornfield behind the fence, and a few feet away stood a short little scarecrow, hung high on a pole. The shaggy brown hair on the scarecrow hung limply on its head. But it wasn’t your traditional human-like scarecrow. It looked more like a frog. Pixie leaned her hand upon her cheek and looked thoughtfully at the straw-frog. She laughed. ‘’In a weird way, that scarecrow really reminds me of M. I’m sure if he were here, he’d probably be thrilled to see another frog of his height.’’ Its head was a small green burlap sack with the shaggy brown hair underneath its pointed Spongekin hat. Its eyes were little ping pong balls, cut in half and painted with little black pupils with a stripe going through each. On the body there was a long red and yellow scarf and a pair of green overalls with a brown plaid long sleeve shirt underneath. The feet were just little frog’s flippers, really odd for a scarecrow to be barefoot, really. The scarecrow was raised above the stalks on a long metal pole. While Pixie was looking into the odd face of the scarecrow, she was surprised to see one of the eyes slowly wink at her. Pixie shrieked a little. ‘’What the…?! It can’t be. My mind must be affected by this heat… yeah, that’s it.’’ She climbed down from the fence and walked tentatively walked over to the scarecrow, Odie barking and running around it. ‘’What’s up?’’ said the scarecrow huskily. ‘’Did you just speak?!’’ Pixie asked in utter bemusement. ‘’Certainly,’’ answered the scarecrow ‘’How do you do?’’ ‘’I’m okay, thank you,’’ Pixie replied politely. ‘’How do you do?’’ ‘’I’m not feeling well. Not at all.’’ said the scarecrow with a frown. ‘’For it is very difficult being perched up here all day and night. Scaring away crows and all. I’m the worst scarecrow ever. But what can I do? I’ve been tied down to a job I’m no good at.’’ ‘’Can you at least get down?’’ asked Pixie, touched by his sad story. ‘’No, y’see there’s this pole up my back.’’ He groaned as he struggled to point to it with his tied arm. It looked like it really hurt the little frog. ‘’But if you were to get me down, I’d be forever thankful.’’ Pixie untied the ropes around his wrists. She grabbed him from under his arms and lifted him off the pole, for, being stuffed with straw, he was very light. The scarecrow rubbed his arms and looked thoughtfully up at her. ‘’Thank you very much.’’ said the scarecrow, when he had been set upon the ground. ‘’I feel like a new frog. Name’s Scarecrow by the way. But tell me-who are you? And where are you going?’’ ‘’My name is Pixie,’’ said the girl. ‘’and I am going to Sapphire Metropolis to ask the Great Wizard, Sir Spand-Oz, to send me back home to Spongeopolis.’’ ‘’Where is Sapphire Metropolis? And who is Sir Spand-Oz?’’ ‘’You don’t know?’’ Pixie returned, crouching down to his height. ‘’No indeed. I don’t know anything. Y’see, I am stuffed with straw, so I have no brains at all.’’ Scarecrow motioned towards the pole. ‘'Been up there as long as I can remember.'' Scarecrow explained. ‘’Oh,’’ said Pixie, ‘’I’m sorry.’’ ‘’Do you think,’’ began the scarecrow, ‘’if I go to Sapphire Metropolis with you, that Sir Spand-Oz would give me some brains?’’ Pixie shrugged and stood up straight again. ‘’I dunno,’’ she returned. ‘’but you can come with me, if you like. If Spand-Oz doesn’t give you any brains, you’d be worse off then you are now.’’ The straw-frog smiled. ‘’Thank you, Pixie.’’ he answered gratefully. They walked back to the road. Pixie helped him over the fence and they started along the Yellow Pore Road to Sapphire Metropolis.
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Chapter 4: The Rescue of the Tin Woodsgirl
After a few hours or so, the road began to be rough. The walking grew so difficult that Scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow and green bricks, which were very uneven. Sometimes they were broken or missing altogether, leaving holes that Odie jumped across and Pixie walked around. As for Scarecrow, having no brains, he walked straight ahead, and so stepped into the holes and fell at full length on the hard bricks. It never really hurt him, however, and Pixie would pick him up, reassemble whatever parts had fallen off and set him on his feet again, while he joined her in laughing at his own mishap. Suddenly, they were startled to hear a deep groan nearby. ‘’What was that?’’ Pixie asked timidly. ‘’I cannot imagine,’’ replied the scarecrow, ‘’but we can go and see.’’ Just then, another groan reached their ears, and the sound seemed to come from behind them. They turned and walked through the forest a few steps when Pixie discovered something shining in a ray of sunshine that fell between the trees. She ran to the place, then stopped short with a little cry of surprise. One of the trees had been partly chopped, and standing beside it with an axe in her hands was a girl made entirely of tin. The letters TW were boldly written on her chest, and she had pink streaks in the metal parts of her hair. Her head and arms and legs were jointed upon her body, but she stood perfectly still, as if she could not move at all. ‘’Did you groan?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Yes,’’ answered the tin girl, ‘’I did. I’ve been groaning for more than a year, and no one has ever heard me before or come to help me.’’ ‘’What can I do for you?’’ Pixie inquired softly. ‘’Get my oil can and oil my joints,’’ she answered. ‘’They are rusted so badly that I cannot move them at all.’’ Pixie found the oil can, and asked earnestly, ‘’Where are your joints?’’ ‘’Oil my neck first.’’ replied the Tin Woodsgirl. So she did, while Scarecrow, in his small stature, stood on a tree stump and moved the head gently from side to side. ‘’Then oil the joints in my arms,’’ she said. Pixie oiled them and Scarecrow moved them carefully until they were free from rust and as good as new. Then they oiled her leg joints and she was able to move about. ‘’This is a great comfort,’’ she said. ‘’My name is Tin, and I’ve been holding that axe in the air ever since I rusted, and I’m glad to be able to put it down last. I might have stood there forever if you had not come along, so you have certainly saved my life. Who are you and how did you happen to be here?’’ ‘’I’m Pixie and this is Scarecrow. We’re on our way to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz in Sapphire Metropolis.’’ Pixie answered. ‘’Why do you wish to see Spand-Oz?’’ Tin asked. ‘’I want him to send me back to Spongeopolis, and Scarecrow over here wants him to put a few brains in his head,’’ she replied. Tin appeared to be thinking deeply for a moment. Then she said, ‘’Do you think Spand-Oz could give me a heart?’’ ‘’I guess so.’’ Pixie returned. ‘’It’d be as easy as snapping your fingers and sending me back home.’’ ‘’Or putting a brain in my head.’’ piped up the scarecrow. ‘’True,’’ said Tin. ‘’So, if you’ll allow me to join you, I’ll also go on to the Sapphire Metropolis and ask Sir Spand-Oz to help me.’’ ‘’Come on along!’’ said Scarecrow, face lit up with happiness. Pixie added that she would be pleased to have her company. So the Tin Woodsgirl shouldered her axe and they all passed through the forest until they came to the road that was paved with the yellow and green bricks. Tin asked Pixie to put the oil can in her basket. ‘’For,’’ she said, ‘’if I should get caught in the rain, and should rust again, I will need the oil can very badly.’’
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Chapter 5: The Cowardly Lioness
‘’How long will it be until we’re out of the forest?’’ Pixie asked of Tin. ‘’I don’t know,’’ was the answer, ‘’I’ve never been to Sapphire Metropolis. But my father went there once, when I was little. He said it was a long journey through a dangerous country, although nearer to the city where Sir Spand-Oz lives the country is very beautiful. But I’m not afraid as long as I have the oil can, and almost nothing can hurt Scarecrow. However, you’ve got the mark of the Good Warlock’s kiss on your forehead, and that protects YOU from harm.’’ Just as she stopped speaking, there came from the forest a terrible roar. The next moment a great female lion (reminding Pixie A LOT of Peaches, appearance wise) bounded out onto the road. With one blow of her paw, Scarecrow was sent spinning into a deep hole in the road, and then she struck at Tin with her powerful claws and the Woodsgirl fell over on the road and lay still. Little Odie, now that he had an enemy to face, ran barking toward the lion. The great lioness opened her mouth to bite the dog when Pixie, fearing Odie would die instantly and M would probably NEVER forgive her for letting it happen, rushed forward and slapped the lioness upon her nose as hard as possible. She cried out, ‘’Don’t you dare bite Odie! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, a big animal like you, to bite a poor little dog!’’ ‘’I didn’t bite him!’’ the lioness cried, rubbing her pink nose where Pixie had hit it. ‘’No, but you sure did try to,’’ Pixie retorted. ‘’You’re just a coward.’’ The lioness sighed. ‘’I know it,’’ said the lion hanging her head in shame. ‘’I’ve always known it.’’ ‘’But that isn’t right! The Queen of the Beasts shouldn’t be a coward!’’ said the Scarecrow, as Pixie helped him out of the hole and reattached his legs. ‘’I know, already!’’ returned the lioness, wiping a tear from her eye with the tip of her tail. ‘’It’s my great sorrow, and it makes my life very unhappy. Because whenever there’s danger, my heart beats fast.’’ ‘’Perhaps you have heart disease, Lion…?’’ said Tin. Pixie shot her a critical look. Tin shrugged. ‘’What? I’m just trying to be realistic here.’’ she replied. ‘’It may be. By the way, it’s Lioness.’’ said Lioness. ‘’If you have,’’ continued the Tin Woodsgirl, ‘’you ought to be glad, for it proves you have a heart. For my part, I don’t have one, so I can’t have heart disease.’’ ‘’Perhaps,’’ said Lioness thoughtfully, ‘’if I had no heart I wouldn’t be such a coward.’’ ‘’Do you have brains?’’ asked the scarecrow. ‘’I guess. I’ve never looked.’’ replied Lioness. ‘’I’m going with Pixie and Tin to ask the Great Sir Spand-Oz to give me some,’’ remarked Scarecrow, ‘’my head’s stuffed with straw.’’ ‘’And I’m gonna ask him to give me a heart,’’ said the Woodsgirl. ‘’And last, but not least, I’m going to ask him to send me and Odie back to my school.’’ ‘’D’you think this Spand-Oz guy could give me some courage?’’ asked the Cowardly Lioness. ‘’Just as easily as he could give me brains,’’ said Scarecrow. ‘’Or give me a heart,’’ said Tin. ‘’Or send me back home.’’ said Pixie. ‘’Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll go with you,’’ said Lioness. ‘’for my life is miserable without courage.’’ ‘’You will be very welcome,’’ answered Pixie, ‘’for you will help with keeping away other wild beasts. It seems to me they must be more cowardly than you are if they allow you to scare them so easily.’’ So once more the little company set off upon the journey, Lioness walking with stately strides at Pixie’s side. Scarecrow looked a little confused. He spoke up, ‘’Hey guys, you ever noticed that the author of this fan fiction likes beginning sentences with the word ‘for’?’’
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Chapter 6: The Journey to the Great Sir Spand-Oz
The following day was to be very eventful for Pixie and her fellow travelers. They were walking for an hour when they saw before them a great ditch that crossed the road and divided the forest as far as they could see on the other side. ‘’Oh great. What do we do now?’’ asked Pixie, slapping a palm to her face. ‘’I think I can jump it,’’ said Lioness, carefully measuring the distance in her mind. ‘’Then I think we’re good.’’ answered Scarecrow. ‘’You can carry us over on your back, one at a time, right?’’ ‘’I suppose.’’ said Lioness. ‘’Then could someone give me a lift up, I’m only like one foot tall.’’ ‘’I’ll help you, M- I-I mean, Scarecrow.’’ Pixie reassured him. She lifted the little straw frog onto the Lion’s back. ‘’Thank you. Now, forward; you magnificent beast!’’ ‘’Sure thing, Frogman.’’ Lioness laughed. The beast walked to the edge of the gulf and crouched down. Then giving a great spring, she shot through the air. Scarecrow had to grip onto his pointed hat, for the wind was about to send it flying off. Lioness and Scarecrow finally got down to the ground and landed safely on the other side. They were all greatly pleased to see how easily it was done. Scarecrow got off and Lioness sprang across the ditch again. Pixie thought she would go next, so she took Odie in her arms and climbed onto the Lioness’s back, holding tightly to the lioness’s short mane with one hand. The next moment, it seemed as if she was flying through the open air, and then, before she had time to think about it, she was safe on the other side. Lioness went back a third time and got Tin to the other side.
They found the forest very thick on this side, and it looked dark and gloomy. After the lioness had rested, they started along the yellow and green brick, silently wondering, each in their own mind, if they were ever to come to the end of the woods and reach the bright sunshine again. They were relieved as the trees grew thinner as they advanced, and they suddenly cam across a broad river, flowing swiftly just before them. On the other side of the water they could see the road of yellow and green brick running through a beautiful country. ‘’How are we gonna cross the river?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’I think this can be easily done,’’ replied Scarecrow. ‘’If Tin can cut some wood and build a raft, so we can get to the other side.’’ So Tin took her axe and began to chop down small trees to make a raft. When the raft was nearly done, and after Tin had cut a few more logs and fastened them together with wooden pins, they were ready to start. Scarecrow and Tin stood upon either end of the raft to steady it. They had long poles in their hands to push the raft through the water. They got along pretty well at first, but when they reached the middle of the river the swift current swept the raft downstream, farther and farther away from the Yellow Pore Road. The water grew so deep that the long poles wouldn’t touch the bottom. ‘’This is bad,’’ said Tin, ‘’for if we can’t get to the land, we shall be carried into the country of the Wicked Witch of the West, and she’ll put a spell on us and make us her slaves!’’ ‘’Well, we gotta get to Sapphire Metropolis if we can! We just need to go faster!’’ Scarecrow continued, and he pushed so hard on his long pole that it stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river. Then, before he could pull it out again – or let go – the raft was swept away, and the poor little straw-frog was left clinging to the pole in the middle of the river. Of course this was a bad thing for Scarecrow. ‘’I’m now worse off than when I first met Pixie,’’ he thought, ‘’Then I was stuck on a pole in a cornfield, where I could at least pretend to scare crows at any rate. But surely there’s no use for a scarecrow stuck on a pole in the middle of a river! I’m afraid I’ll never have any brains after all!’’ Down the stream the raft floated, and poor Scarecrow was left far behind. Lioness said in earnest, ‘’Something must be done to save us. I think I can swim to the shore and pull the raft after me, if you’ll only hold fast to the tip of my tail.’’ So she sprang into the water, and Tin caught fast hold of her tail. Then Lioness began to swim with all her might toward the shore. It was hard work, but by and by they were drawn out of the current. They were all tired out when they reached the shore at last and stepped off upon the pretty green grass, and they also knew that the stream had carried them a long way past the road of yellow and green brick that led to Sapphire Metropolis. Then they all looked at the river and saw Scarecrow perched upon his pole in the middle of the river, looking very lonely and sad. ‘’What can we do to save him?!’’ asked Pixie worriedly. Tin and Lioness both shook their heads, for they didn’t know. So they sat down upon the bank and gazed wistfully at the scarecrow until a stork flew by, who, upon seeing them, stopped to rest at the water’s edge. ‘’What are you doing here?’’ asked the stork. ‘’We’ve lost our friend, Scarecrow, and are wondering how we’re going to get him from the middle of the river,’’ answered Pixie woefully. ‘’Well, where is he?’’ the stork asked. ‘’Over there in the river,’’ answered the girl. ‘’If he wasn’t so big and heavy, I’d get him for you.’’ remarked the stork. ‘’But he isn’t heavy at all!’’ said Pixie eagerly, ‘’He’s just a little frog stuffed with straw!’’ ‘’Well, I’ll give it a shot,’’ said the stork, ‘’but if I find he’s too heavy to carry, I’ll have to drop him in the river again.’’ So the big bird flew into the air and over the water until she came to where the scarecrow was perched upon his pole. Then the stork, with her great claws grabbed Scarecrow by his arm and carried him up into the air and back to the bank. When Scarecrow found himself among his friends again, Odie was so happy that he tackled the scarecrow and began licking him all over. ‘’Thank you,’’ said Pixie to the kind stork, who flew into the air and was soon out of sight.
They walked along, listening to the singing of the brightly colored birds and looking at the lovely flowers which now became so thick that the ground was carpeted with them. There were big yellow and white and blue and purple blossoms, beside great clusters of scarlet poppies, which were so brilliant in color they almost dazzled Pixie’s eyes. ‘’Aren’t they beautiful?’’ she asked as she breathed in the spicy scent of the bright flowers. They now came upon more and more of the big scarlet poppies. It’s well known that when there are so many of these flowers together their odor is so powerful that anyone who breathes it falls fast asleep, and sometimes sleeping on and on forever. But Pixie didn’t know this, nor could she get away from the bright red flowers that were everywhere. Her eyes grew heavy. She lay down among the flowers to rest – and was soon fast asleep. ‘’What shall we do?!’’ asked Tin frantically. ‘’If we leave her here, she’ll die,’’ said Lioness. ‘’The smell is killing us all. I myself can barely keep my eyes open, and the dog is already asleep too.’’ It was true. Odie had fallen down beside his little mistress. But Scarecrow and Tin weren’t troubled by the scent of the flowers. ‘’Run fast,’’ said Scarecrow to the lioness, ‘’and get out of the flower bed as soon as you can. We can bring Pixie with us, but if you were to fall asleep we would need a bit of help.’’ So, Lioness bounded forward as the scarecrow and the tin girl carried the sleeping girl and her dog between them through the ongoing flowers. On and on they walked, and it seemed the carpet of deadly flowers that surrounded them would never end. They followed the river, and at last came across Lioness, lying fast asleep among the poppies. The flowers had been to strong for her and she had given up at last. She had fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppy bed, where the sweet emerald grass spread in beautiful fields before them. ‘’We can’t do anything for her,’’ said Tin, ‘’she is a little too heavy for us to carry, now that we have Pixie and Odie. I’m afraid we’ll have to leave Lioness behind to sleep on forever and ever, and perhaps she will dream that she’s found courage.’’ They carried the sleeping Pixie and her dog to a pretty spot beside the river, a good distance from the poppies to prevent her from breathing in more of the poisonous odor. Here they laid her gently on the soft grass and waited for the fresh breeze to awaken her.
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Chapter 7: King Kermit of the Field Frogs
‘’We can’t be far from the road, now,’’ remarked Scarecrow, as he stood beside Pixie. ‘’We’ve come nearly as far as the river carried us away.’’ Tin was about to reply when he heard a low growl. Turning her head, she saw a strange beast come bounding over the grass toward them. It was, indeed, a great yellow wildcat. Tin thought it must’ve been chasing something, for its ears were lying close to its head and its mouth was wide open, showing two rows of ugly teeth. Its red eyes glowed like blazing balls of fire. As it came nearer, Tin saw the beast was chasing a little green field frog. Although she had no heart, Tin knew it was wrong for the wildcat to kill such a pretty, harmless creature. So she raised her axe and killed the wildcat. ‘’Oh, well thank you!” said the frog in a kind clear voice. ‘’Thank you ever so much for saving my life.’’ ‘’Don’t speak of it, I beg of you,’’ replied the woodsgirl, ‘’I have no heart, you know, so I’m careful to help all those who may need a friend, even if it happens to be only a frog with a funny, pointy color around his neck.’’ ‘’Only a frog?!’’ cried the little amphibian. ‘’I’m a king – King Kermit of the Field Frogs!’’ ‘’Oh, indeed.’’ said Tin, making a curtsy. ‘’Therefore, you’ve done a great deed, as well as a brave one, in saving my life.’’ added King Kermit. At that moment several frogs, and apparently a female pig with long blonde hair, ran up as fast their little legs could carry them. ‘’Oh Kermie, my love! We thought you would be killed! How did you manage to escape the Wildcat, you handsome man beast?’’ cried the female pig, strangling King Kermit so much that he was squirming and whimpering a little. The frogs bowed so low to the little King that they almost stood upon their heads. ‘’This tin girl killed the Wildcat,’’ he answered, ‘’and saved my life.’’ Suddenly, the frogs scampered away, for Odie had awakened from his slumber. Seeing all these frogs around him, he gave one bark of delight and jumped right into the middle of the group. But Tin caught him in her arms and held him tight. She called to the frogs, ‘’Come back! Come back! Odie won’t hurt you.’’ King Kermit stuck his head out from behind a rock and asked timidly, ‘’Are you sure he won’t bite us or something?’’ ‘’I will not let him,’’ said Tin, ‘’so don’t be afraid.’’ One by one the frogs came creeping back, and Odie didn’t bark again. One of the biggest frogs spoke. ‘’Is there anything we can do to repay you for saving the life of our King?’’ ‘’Nothing that I know of.’’ replied Tin. Scarecrow, who had been trying to think, but couldn’t because of his head being stuffed with straw, stepped up. He was a little surprised to see other frogs like him, and how King Kermit was only a few inches taller than he. King Kermit looked equally as surprised to see a frog made of straw. Scarecrow looked to all the others. ‘’You could help us save our friend, the Cowardly Lioness, who is asleep in the poppy bed.’’ ‘’A lion?!’’ cried the pig. ‘’No way! Do you know what they do to my kind?!’’ ‘’Lady Piggy, I think it’s fine. He did say ‘’cowardly’’.’’ implied King Kermit. Lady Piggy scowled at him. ‘’Cowardly my foot! Why, he’d eat us all up! If you want children, you better HOPE I stay alive!’’ ‘’Oh no,’’ declared Scarecrow. ‘’He would never hurt anyone who is our friend. If you’ll help us to save him, I promise that he’ll treat you all with kindness.’’ ‘’Very well,’’ said the King, ‘’we trust you. But what shall we do?’’ ‘’Are there many of these frogs that call you King and are willing to obey you?’’ ‘’Oh, yes! There are thousands.’’ he replied. ‘’Then send for them all to come here as soon as possible, and let each one bring a long piece of string.’’ King Kermit turned to the frogs and told them to go at once and get all of his subjects. ‘’Now Tin,’’ said the scarecrow to the tin girl, ‘’you gotta go to the trees by the riverside and make some typed of truck that’ll carry Lioness. And try not to get distracted if you see Graeme Proctor or Doctor Who.’’ ‘’I’m on the job!’’ she replied.
So Tin went at once to the trees and began to work. Soon she made a truck out of the limbs of trees. The frogs came from all directions, and there were thousands of them – big frogs and little frogs and middle sized frogs. Each one brought a piece of string in his mouth. It was about this time that Pixie awoke from her long sleep and opened her eyes. ‘’Wow that must’ve been some party last night… WHAT THE-?!’’ She was greatly astonished to find herself lying upon the grass, with thousands of frogs standing around and looking at her timidly. ‘’Scarecrow! Are you responsible for this?!’’ Pixie cried. Scarecrow popped up out of nowhere. ‘’For the first time ever, I’m not. I know, I’m scared too.’’ ‘’Well what’s with all the frogs? And why are Kermit and Miss Piggy here and not back at Spongeopolis?’’ The scarecrow looked confused. He looked around. ‘’Kermit? Miss Piggy? Spongeopolis? I guess you must’ve been sleeping on a rock or something. Any who, Lioness fell asleep in the flowers and King Kermit, his… girlfriend I guess, and all these frogs are gonna help us get her out of here.’’ Scarecrow turned to the dignified little Frog and said, ‘’Permit me to introduce you to His Majesty, King Kermit.’’ Pixie nodded thoughtfully at him and King Kermit bowed low to the ground, after which he became quite friendly with the girl. ‘’Alright Scarecrow, it’s done!’’ The truck made of logs and wood stood in the middle of the field. After a great deal of hard work, and Scarecrow’s left arm repeatedly falling off, Scarecrow and Tin pulled the heavy Lioness up onto the truck. They fastened the frogs to the truck, using the strings they had brought. At first the little frogs could hardly stir the heavily loaded truck. Tin and Scarecrow both pushed from behind, and they got along better. Soon they rolled Lioness out of the poppy bed to the green field, where she could breathe the sweet, fresh air again. Pixie came to meet them and thanked the little frogs warmly for saving her friend from death. She had grown so fond of Lioness she was glad that they had rescued her. Then the frogs were unharnessed from the truck and they scampered away through the nearby swamp to their homes. Lady Piggy was the last to leave. ‘’If you ever need us again,’’ she said, ‘’come out into the field and blow upon this whistle.’’ Lady Piggy handed Pixie a little green whistle with a gold emblem on it. ‘’We’ll hear you and come to your aid. Goodbye!’’ ‘’Goodbye!’’ they all answered. And away the Lady ran, picking up the hem of her dress as she did so, while Pixie held Odie tightly lest he should run after her and frighten her. After this they sat down beside Lioness until she awakened. When she did open her eyes and roll off the truck, he was glad to find herself still alive. ‘’What’d I miss?’’ Tin looked up from a DSi battle with Scarecrow and Pixie. ‘’Oh, King Kermit of the Field Frogs and his subjects pulled you over here. CRAP! THAT WAS MY LAST LIFE! YOU SUCK SCARECROW, YOU SUCK!’’ screamed Tin, turning off her DSi. ‘’Yeah, man! Not cool!’’ said Pixie. ‘’Heheh. Luigi owns you ALL! BOW DOWN TO HIM!’’ yelled Scarecrow to Tin’s crushing defeat at Mario Kart. Lioness laughed. ‘’I always considered myself very big and terrible. Yet such small animals as frogs have saved my life. How strange it all is!’’ Once Lioness was fully refreshed, and feeling quite herself again, they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk through the soft, fresh grass. It wasn’t long before they reached the road of yellow and green brick and turned again toward Sapphire Metropolis where the Great Sir Spand-Oz lived.
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Chapter 8: the Guardian of the Gates
They soon saw a beautiful blue glow in the sky just before them. ‘’This must be Sapphire Metropolis.’’ said Pixie. As they walked on, the blue glow became brighter and brighter, and it seemed that at last they were nearing the end of their travels. They soon came to the great wall that surrounded the Metropolis. It was high and thick and of a darkish blue color. In front of them, at the end of the Yellow Pore Road, was a big gate, all studded with sapphires. They glittered so in the sun that even Scarecrow’s painted eyes were dazzled by their brilliance. There was a bell beside the gate, and Pixie pushed the button and heard a silvery tinkle sound within. Then they big blue gate swung slowly open. They all passed through and found themselves in a high arched room with walls of glittering sapphires. Before them stood an odd looking little thing with a crooked nose and friendly looking eyes with yellow and green eyelids. ‘’Gonzo looks so cute in his little uniform.’’ thought Pixie to herself. He was clothed all in blue, from his head to his feet, even his fur and the stray hairs peeking out from under his hat were a rich dark blue. When he saw Pixie and her companions, he was compelled to ask, ‘’Hello, I’m Gonzo, I’m the Guardian of the Gates to Sapphire Metropolis.’’ Gonzo said with a smile. ‘’What do you wish in Sapphire Metropolis?’’ ‘’We came to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz.’’ said Pixie. The little blue whatever was so surprised at this answer that he stepped back a little to think it over. ‘’Wow, it’s been many years since anyone asked me to see Sir Spand-Oz,’’ he said shaking his head. ‘’He is powerful and terrible, and I really don’t want anyone else to get hurt by a foolish errand. He could destroy you all with a ZAP!’’ said Gonzo, waving his arms around to imitate an explosion. ‘’But it isn’t a foolish errand,’’ replied Scarecrow. ‘’It’s important, and we have been told that Sir Spand-Oz is a good wizard.’’ ‘’So he is,’’ said the blue man, ‘’and he rules Sapphire Metropolis wisely and well. But to those who aren’t honest, or who approach him from curiosity, he is most terrible. Few have ever dared ask to see his face. As you know, I’m the Guardian of the Gates – and since you demand to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz, I must take you to his palace. But first you must put on these eyeglasses.’’ ‘’Why?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Because if you didn’t wear eyeglasses the brightness and glory of Sapphire Metropolis would blind you.’’ Gonzo opened a big box that was filled with blue-tinted eyeglasses of all shapes and sizes. He fitted each of them with a pair – even Odie. Then the Guardian of the Gates adjusted his own glasses and told them he was ready to show them to the palace. Taking a big golden key from a peg on the wall, he opened another gate, and they all followed him into the streets of Sapphire Metropolis.
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Chapter 9: The Wonderful Sapphire Metropolis of Spand-Oz
Even with the blue glasses, Pixie and her friends were at first dazzled by the wonderful Metropolis. All the beautiful houses glittered with sapphires and the road was of shiny blue marble. There were many people going to and fro between sparkly shops – shops for blue candy, blue shoes, blue hats, blue clothes, and blue SpongeBob DVDs. Gonzo, the Guardian of the Gates, led them through the streets until they came to a big building exactly in the middle of the Metropolis, which was the Palace of Sir Spand-Oz, the Great Wizard. There was a soldier before the door; he was a little brown rat in a blue uniform, very similar to Rizzo he was. ‘’Here are strangers,’’ said Gonzo, ‘’and they demand to see the Great Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’Step inside.’’ said the rat. ‘’I’ll carry your message to him.’’ So they passed through the palace gates and were led into a big room with a blue carpet and lovely blue furniture set with sapphires. The soldier made them all wipe their feet on a blue mat before entering this room, and when they were seated he said politely, ‘’Make yourselves comfortable while I go to the door of the Throne Room and tell Sir Spand-Oz that you’re here.’’ They had to wait a long time before the soldier returned. Scarecrow still kept kicking everyone’s butt on Mario Kart DSi. At last the solider had returned. Pixie turned her head. ‘’Mr. Soldier, have you ever seen Sir Spand-Oz before?’’ ‘’Oh, no.’’ returned the rat. ‘’I’ve never seen him. But I spoke to him as he sat behind the screen and gave him your message. He said he’ll grant you an audience, if you so desire, but you must wait until tomorrow to enter his presence. Therefore, you’ve gotta stay here, in the palace. I’ll have you shown to your rooms.’’ ‘’Thank you,’’ replied Pixie, ‘’that’s really kind of Sir Spand-Oz.’’ The rat soldier blew upon a blue whistle and at once a young woman (who seemed similar to Miss Stape in a weird way) in pretty blue silk gown entered the room. She had lovely bluish hair and blue eyes. Pixie smiled. ‘’Glad to know I’m not the only one here with blue hair.’’ she remarked. She bowed low before Pixie as she said, ‘’Follow me and I will show you to your room.’’
The next morning, after breakfast and some Mario Kart, the blue maiden went off to fetch Pixie and dressed her in one of the prettiest gowns, made of blue satin. Pixie put on a blue silk apron over it and tied a blue ribbon around Odie’s neck and started for the Throne Room. They waited in the blue hall until a bell rang. The blue woman said to Pixie, ‘’That is the signal. You must go into the Throne Room alone.’’ She opened a little door and Pixie walked boldly through and found herself in a wonderful place. It was a big, round room with a high arched roof, and the walls and ceiling and floor were covered with large sapphires set closely together. In the center of the roof was a great light, as bright as the sun, which made the sapphires sparkle in a wonderful manner. But what interested Pixie the most was the big throne of blue marble that stood in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a chair and sparkled with gems, as did everything else. In the center of the chair was an enormous head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatsoever. There was no hair upon this head, but it had eyes and a nose and a mouth, and was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant. ‘’Whoa… big head, much?’’ said Pixie as she gazed upon this in wonder and fear. She heard a voice say: ‘’I am Sir Spand-Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?’’ It was not such an awful voice as she had expected Spand-Oz to sound. So she took all her courage and answered. ‘’I am Pixie, the Small and Meek. I’ve come to you for help.’’ The eyes looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. Then said the voice: ‘’Where did you get the Silver Shoes… because they’re FABULOUS!’’ Pixie blinked twice. ‘’Err, yeah… I got them from the Wicked Witch of the East, when my school fell on her and killed her,’’ she replied. ‘’Where did you get the mark on your forehead?’’ continued the voice. ‘’That’s where Glindor; the Good Warlock of the North kissed me when he said goodbye and sent me to you.’’ said the girl. Again the eyes looked at her sharply, and they saw she was telling the truth. Then Sir Spand-Oz asked, ‘’What do you wish me to do?’’ ‘’Send me back to Spongeopolis, where M and GG and Peaches and the rest of my friends are!’’ she answered earnestly. Spand-Oz scoffed. ‘’Why should I help you?’’ he asked. ‘’Because you’re strong, and I am weak; because you’re a great wizard, and I am only a girl.’’ ‘’But you were strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East.’’ said Spand-Oz. ‘’Hey, that just happened.’’ returned Pixie simply. ‘’I couldn’t help it.’’ ‘’Well,’’ said the head, ‘’I’ll give you my answer. You have no right to expect me to send you back to Spongeopolis unless you do something for me in return. Help me, and I’ll help you.’’ ‘’What do I have to do?’’ asked Pixie. ‘’Kill the Wicked Witch of the West.’’ answered Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’But I can’t do THAT!’’ exclaimed Pixie, greatly surprised. ‘’You killed the Witch of the East and you wear the Silver Shoes and they bear a powerful charm! There is now but ONE Wicked Witch left in all this land, and when you can tell me she’s dead I’ll send you back to Spongeopolis – but not before.’’ ‘’Hey Wizard.’’ ‘’What?’’ ‘’The Witch is dead.’’ ‘’I DIDN’T MEAN THAT, SMARTMOUTH!’’ he boomed at her witty remark. ‘’NOW LEAVE MY PRESENCE!’’ Sorrowfully, Pixie left the Throne Room and went back to where her friends were waiting to hear what the wizard had said to her. ‘’Hey, what went on in THERE?’’ asked Tin. Pixie frowned. ‘’There’s no hope for me,’’ she said sadly, ‘’for Sir Spand-Oz won’t send me home until I have killed the Wicked Witch of the West – and I can never do that.’’ Next, the rat soldier with the blue uniform came to Scarecrow, Tin, and Lioness and said to them; ‘’Come with me, for Sir Spand-Oz has sent for you.’’ The three of them followed him and were admitted into the Throne Room, where they were surprised to find before the Throne was a ball of fire, so fierce and glowing that they could scarcely bear to gaze upon it. A low, raspy voice rose from the fire, and these words were spoken: ‘’I am Sir Spand-Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?’’ Scarecrow stepped forward and said, ‘’I am only a Scarecrow… well technically a frog… stuffed with straw. Therefore I have no brains, and I come to you praying that you’ll put brains in my head instead of straw, so that I can be as smart as any other of my kind.’’ Next, Tin spoke up. ‘’I’m a Woodsgirl, and made of pure tin. Therefore I have no heart and I can’t love. I pray you to give me a heart that I may be as any other women and men are.’’ And Lioness answered, ‘’I am a Cowardly Lioness, afraid of everything. I come to you to beg that you give me some courage, so that I can truly be the Queen of Beasts.’’ ‘’Why should I grant you these petty little things?’’ demanded Sir Spand-Oz. ‘’Because of all wizards, you’re the greatest, and alone have the power to grant our requests.’’ answered Lioness. The ball of fire burned fiercely for a time, and the voice said, ‘’I don’t grant favors without something in return, but this much I’ll promise. If you’ll kill the Wicked Witch of the West, I will bestow upon you the brains, heart, and courage you seek.’’ ‘’Wait, hold up. You asked Pixie to kill her.’’ said Scarecrow in outrage. ‘’I don’t care who kills her! But until she’s dead I won’t grant any of your wishes. Now go and don’t seek me again until you have earned what you so greatly desire, you freaks!’’ Tin’s metal ears grew red with anger. Steam flew out of them as she stepped forward. ‘’Oh I’LL show you to seek something, a d**ned hospital, you son of a-‘’ Lioness covered Tin’s mouth as Scarecrow held the angry metal girl back. Lioness was angry at his speech, but couldn’t say anything in reply, and while she stood silently gazing at the ball of fire, it became so furiously hot that she turned tail and rushed from the room – her comrades close behind. They told Pixie the Wizard’s command. ‘’What do we do now?’’ asked Pixie sadly. ‘’There’s only one thing to do,’’ returned Lioness, ‘’and that is to leave tomorrow to seek out the Wicked Witch, and destroy her.’’
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Chapter 10: The Search for the Wicked Witch
At daylight, our friends started toward the West, walking over fields of soft grass dotted here and there with daisies and buttercups. Sapphire Metropolis was soon left behind.
In a dark castle, far off from Sapphire Metropolis, there lived the Wicked Witch. She had long tangled brown hair and was part mermaid. She scowled as she looked out into the distance. Now, the Wicked Witch of the West had two eyes. One was a magical one. That eye was as powerful as a telescope and could see everywhere. So, as she sat in the door of her black gothic themed castle, she happened to look around, and she saw Pixie and her friends. They were a long distance off, but the Witch was angry to find them in her country, so she blew upon a silver whistle that hung around her neck. At once there came running to her from all directions a pack of great sea bears. They all had vicious eyes and snarling mouths. ‘’Go to those people,’’ said the Witch, ‘’and shred ‘em to pieces!’’ ‘’Very well.’’ said the leader of the pack. He dashed away at full speed, followed by the others. It was lucky that Tin had heard the sea bears coming. ‘’This is my fight,’’ she said, ‘’so get behind me and I’ll meet them as they come.’’ She seized her axe, and, as the leader of the sea bears came on, Tin swung her arm and chopped the bear’s head off, killing it instantly. There were forty of them, and forty times a sea bear was killed. They all lay dead in a heap before Tin.
The next morning, the mermaid Witch came to the door of her castle and looked out with her magical eye. She saw the decaying bodies of the sea bears and saw the travelers still traveling through her country. This made her angrier than before. ‘’Oh, screw going along with the storyline and blowing the whistle two more times! I want them DEAD! FLYING NINJAS!’’ she shrieked. The sky was darkened and a low rumbling sound was heard in the air. There was a rushing of many wings and no other sounds, considering ninjas are believed to be silent. The sun came out of the dark sky to show the Wicked Witch surrounded by a crowd of ninjas. One, much bigger than the others with an X on his forehead flew close to the Witch and said, ‘’You have called us for the last time. What do you wish? And can it be to destroy Garu? Because I think today we should destroy Garu.’’ ‘’Go to those strangers and destroy them. All except for the Lioness. I will harness her and use her for work!’’ she cackled. ‘’Your command will be obeyed.’’ said the leader. ‘’ Then, with a great deal of noise, the Flying Ninjas flew away to the place where Pixie and her friends were walking. Some of the ninjas tried to seize Tin, but she ducked at the last minute. Pixie saw them head for Scarecrow, who was scared and confused. ‘’Scarecrow! Look out!’’ It was too late. Others of the ninjas caught Scarecrow and ripped the straw from his body. They noticed blood came out with it. The lead ninja stopped. ‘’This one must have real frog in him… keep tearing! I WANT TO SEE MORE BLOOD!’’ he laughed evilly. Everyone was silent, except for the ninjas. Scarecrow was laughing weakly. ‘’I-If I know I was gonna d-die like this… I woulda… prepared…’’ he stuttered, trying to make the situation more humorous. Pixie kneeled down to him, tears falling from her eyes. ‘’Scarecrow, stop it! Y-You’re dying! You shouldn’t be m-making jokes…’’ she sobbed. Scarecrow smiled weakly. ‘’You gotta… make the best of a situation…’’ he said. Pixie held his small hands. Tin was crying into her hands, Lioness was fighting off the ninjas, and Odie was whining and howling sadly. Scarecrow looked up to Pixie. ‘’W-When you defeat the Witch… tell… t-tell Spand-Oz I d-don’t need brains where I’m going.’’ he whispered. Pixie’s face was contorted with shock. His little eyes were closing and blinking slowly. Before Pixie could say anything else, seized her and pulled her into the air, along with Lioness. They saw the mark on her forehead and did not harm her and Odie, though. ‘’We dare not harm her. For she has the Warlock’s Kiss and is protected by the Power of Good.’’ said the leader. ‘’Carry her away to the Witch!’’ he screamed. They carried Pixie high into the air, and the last few ninjas lifted Lioness in a giant net. The other few grabbed Tin and dropped her off into a rocky chasm of dark spines. They dropped her, and battered her so badly that she couldn’t move or groan. As he watched the remaining two be carried away, Scarecrow’s pupils turned smaller and smaller. He closed them slowly. For the very last time.
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I'm a bit creeped out I'm one of the main characters for once. XD Usually when I'm mentioned in stories I'm like one of those minor charactors. I'm glad you mentioned Pixie's stalker crush on Spongebob,that made me laugh. XD Very nice so far. ^^ Please update soon! ;D
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