> My Little Wizard of Oz
>  by BlueBioWolf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The Portal Gem and the Cyclone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One evening in Equestria, Sunset Shimmer had finished her experiments for the day and elected to read from her collection of human world literature.

“Let’s see,” she said to no one in particular. “Snow White? No. Sleeping Beauty? No. Tom Sawyer? No. Ah, here’s one that sounds good right now. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

She used her magic to levite the book off of the shelf and walked towards a chair she could relax in as she read. She’d read at least two chapters when her friends made their way to her.

“Hi, Sunset,” Twilight smiled.

Sunset removed her attention from the book to acknowledge her friends in the interest of politeness. “Hi, everybody,” she said, unable to resist channeling Dr. Nick Riviera.

“Whatcha doin’, huh?” Pinkie asked, channeling a bit of Isabella Garcia-Shapiro.

“Well, with my experiments for the day done,” Sunset answered. “I decided to read from my collection of human world literature. I chose one of my favorites, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. One of the oldest isekai stories ever.”

“Ee-seh-kai,” Rainbow repeated. “What did you say that was again?”

“It means ‘another world,’” Sunset explains. “Among the first is the legend of Urashima Taro. I’m quite fond of the genre for obvious reasons.”

“That’s true,” Rarity said. “With how long you lived in the human realm, you practically lived an isekai.”

“This particular one was written in the country I took residence in back in that world,” Sunset said. “It was over 100 years old when I went there.”

“Intriguing,” Twilight said. “What’s it about?”

“It’s about a little girl named Dorothy Gale,” Sunset said. “She lived with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and dog, Toto, on a farm in Kansas.”

“Sounds like somethin’ that’s right up mah alley,” Applejack smiled.

“Is that where you lived?” Trixie asked innocently.

“No,” Sunset said, levitating a map of the United States. She unrolled it and used her magic to make a blinking highlight of Massachusetts. “I lived here in Canterlot City, Massachusetts.” She then used her magic to make a blinking highlight of Kansas. “Kansas is over here in the midwest.”

“Ah, I see,” Trixie said, nodding.

“One day,” Sunset said. “A cyclone happens and carries Dorothy and Toto away in the farmhouse.”

The ponies and Spike gasped at this. Sunset could see their shock.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “Both survive just fine. They end up in a far off country behind the moon and beyond the rain called the Land of Oz.”

“Oh, wow,” Starlight said.

“Now, I was kind of in a reverse of Dorothy’s situation,” Sunset said.

“That’s true,” Spike said. “You came from a magical world and went into a mundane one while Dorothy came from a mundane world and went into a magical one.”

“Plus, my going to a different world was a conscious choice on my part,” Sunset said. “Dorothy was sent to another world through circumstances beyond her control.”

“That’s true,” Fluttershy said.

“Either way,” Sunset said. “Dorothy and I end up going back to our respective homeworlds.”

“That should be evident,” Rainbow said. “You’re right here. But, how does Dorothy get back?”

“How about I read it and we find out?” Sunset suggested.

“That’s a great idea,” Twilight smiled.

“Hang on a second,” Sunset said before she bathed her body in her moderate amaranth magic aura. Upon her body materialized a blue and white gingham dress, blue socks, and silver slippers. Her mane was also divided into twin ponytails, fastened with blue ribbons. Once the materialization was complete, Sunset canceled her aura.

“Ah~!” Rarity gasped happily. “What a darling ensemble.”

“I’ve dressed myself in an attire resembling Dorothy’s in the book,” Sunset said. He then revealed the silver slippers. “Complete with Silver Shoes.”

“Love when a costume is accurate detail-wise,” Twilight said.

“Down to the molecular detail,” Sunset said before tapping the silver shoes against the floor. They made metallic clinks with each tap. “Real silver, there.”

“Won’t they be hard ta walk in?” Applejack asked.

“Ordinarily, yes,” Sunset said. “But, due to being magic shoes in a magic realm, they’re flexible, comfortable, and easy to move in. Plus, the socks also help with the comfort levels. They can never wear out and are accustomed to alter their size by shrinking or stretching to perfectly fit the current owner at the time they wear them.”

“Ah, that’s good,” Applejack said with a nod.

Sunset got into her seat and turned to the first chapter’s beginning page. She cleared her throat. “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” she read. “By L. Frank Baum with pictures by W. W. Denslow. Chapter 1: The Cyclone.”

The friends sat around comfortably to listen to the book Sunset read.

“Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife,” Sunset read. “Their house was small, for the lumber to build it had to be carried by wagon many miles. There were four walls, a floor, and a roof, which made one room and this room contained a rusty looking cookstove, a cupboard for the dishes, a table, three or four chairs, and the beds. Uncle Henry and Aunt Em had a big bed in one corner and Dorothy a little bed in another corner. There was no garret at all and no cellar--except a small hole dug in the ground, called a cyclone cellar, where the family could go in case one of those great whirlwinds arose, mighty enough to crush any building in its path. It was reached by a trap door in the middle of the floor, from which a ladder led down into the small, dark hole.” These words painted a detailed picture in her friends’ collective imaginations.

Sounds like a miserable life, Rainbow said internally.

“When Dorothy stood in the doorway and looked around, she could see nothing but the great gray prairie on every side,” Sunset continued. “Not a tree nor a house broke the broad sweep of flat country that reached to the edge of the sky in all directions. The sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass with little cracks running through it. Even the grass was not green, for the sun had burned the tops of the long blades until they were the same gray color to be seen everywhere. Once the house had been painted, but, the sun blistered the paint and the rains washed it away and now the house was as dull and gray as everything else.”

Sounds like Hope Hollow before we helped out, Pinkie thought internally.

“When Aunt Em came there to live she was a young, pretty wife,” Sunset continued. “The sun and wind had changed her, too. They had taken the sparkle from her eyes and left them a sober gray. They had taken the red from her cheeks and lips and they were gray also. She was thin and gaunt and never smiled now. When Dorothy, who was an orphan, first came to her, Aunt Em had been so startled by the child's laughter that she would scream and press her hand upon her heart whenever Dorothy's merry voice reached her ears and she still looked at the little girl with wonder that she could find anything to laugh at.”

It’s nice to know that they have some way of staying sane, Spike thought internally.

“Uncle Henry never laughed,” Sunset read. “He worked hard from morning till night and did not know what joy was. He was gray also from his long beard to his rough boots and he looked stern and solemn and rarely spoke.”

It’s good that he works hard, Applejack thought internally. But, he should allow himself ta laugh every once in a while.

“It was Toto that made Dorothy laugh and saved her from growing as gray as her other surroundings,” Sunset read on. “Toto was not gray. He was a little black dog with long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny, wee nose. Toto played all day long and Dorothy played with him and loved him dearly.”

That sounds so adorable, Fluttershy said internally with a delighted look on her face.

Before Sunset had a chance to read further, a lightning bolt flew in through an open window, breaking her concentration, and struck a gem Sunset had on her workbench. The gem began levitating on its own as it pulsed and glowed ominously.

“What was that?” Starlight asked.

“My bad,” called the familiar voice of Derpy Hooves from outside.

“Derpy…” Rainbow said to herself, rolling her eyes. She then noticed the gem floating on its own. “Hey, how come that gem is floating?”

Sunset looked at it in fear. “That’s one of the Portal Gems I’ve been working on today!” she exclaimed. “That lightning bolt must’ve overloaded it!”

“Portal Gem?!” Rarity exclaimed. “Not to critique how you spend your time and efforts, but, why would you work on something like this?!”

“Unless that gem’s stabilized, that’s the least of our problems,” Sunset said as the gem started crackling with electricity. “It’s about to explode!”

“What do we do?!” Fluttershy said, panicking.

Suddenly, the gem made a beeline for Sunset’s book and merged with it. For a few seconds, the book glowed and pulsed like the gem did before it started to emit a swirling vortex.

“What’s happening?” Twilight gasped.

“You may find out sooner than you’d like!” Sunset said before the vortex started sucking her into the book. It then proceeded to do the same for the others. After they were all sucked in, the book closed and fell upon the floor.





Soon, the ponies and Spike landed on a dusty patch of land. Though, their normally bright colors were replaced with grayscale colors.

“This is giving me some Discord flashbacks,” Spike said.

“With everything being so gray,” Twilight said. “We must be inside of the book!”

“We all figgered that out, Twi,” Applejack said.

“But, how’d it happen?” Starlight asked.

“The Portal Gem stabilized itself by merging with the book,” Sunset said. “A safety feature I gave them.”

“Well,” Trixie said. “This is all fine and dandy, but, how about we try and get out of here now?”

“I’m afraid it’ll be a bit complicated,” Sunset said gravely. “If a Portal Gem merges with a book and someone goes into said book, the only way to get out of the book is to go through the events of the book to the end.”

“I see,” Spike said. “So, kind of like when we went through the Power Ponies comic in a way, only more direct.”

“Starlight and I weren’t there for that,” Trixie said.

“And unlike that comic,” Sunset said. “None of us are taking the place of characters in this book, so, everyone will see us as we are.”

“I see,” Fluttershy said. “So, where do we start?”

Sunset looked ahead and saw Uncle Henry’s farm. “Looks like the cyclone hasn’t struck yet.”

“So,” Rainbow said. “That must be where we’re starting. Let’s go.”

They made their way to the farm and saw a little human girl playing with a little black dog. The little girl had slightly more vibrant colors than the world around her.

“Ooh,” Pinkie squeaked. “That must be Dorothy.”

The little girl heard Pinkie’s voice and turned her head in its direction. She saw the Equestria residents standing a short distance away from her.

“Oh!” Dorothy said. “Magical horses and a dragon?”

“Well,” Sunset said. “Looks like that cat’s out of the bag.”

“I’ve seen a bit about you from picture books,” Dorothy said. “You’re much cuter in person.” She then looked at Spike. “Though, I thought dragons would be bigger. This one’s no bigger than I am.”

“I’m still young,” Spike said. “I’m 19 ½ now.”

“Ah, I see,” Dorothy nodded. “Are you all just passing by?”

“You could say that,” Sunset said. “Though, we’re in a bit of a fix.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Dorothy asked.

“Well, if you can provide us with shelter,” Sunset said. “We’ll repay you for the trouble.”

“How?” Starlight whispered to Sunset.

“We can work on the farm to earn our keep,” Sunset whispered back.

“We can do that,” Applejack whispered.

“I can ask my Uncle Henry,” Dorothy offered. “He lives on that farm over there.”

“If it’s not too much trouble anyway,” Sunset said.

“Oh, I beg your pardon,” Dorothy said. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Dorothy Gale.”

“Aww, what a polite little girl,” Rarity cooed. “I am Rarity and these are Sunset Shimmer, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, Trixie Lulamoon, and Twilight Sparkle.”

“Where do you all come from?” Dorothy asked.

“We’re from a place you’ve never heard of and are unlikely to go to at any point in your life,” Sunset said. “A place called Equestria.”

“Oh, that must sound like a wonderful place,” Dorothy smiled. Toto barked happily.

“Oh, it is,” Pinkie said. “Over there, there’s magic in the air we breathe, the ground we walk, and even the things we eat.”

“Wow~” Dorothy said. “That sounds like a place I could only dream of going to.”





Soon, they reached the farm and saw Uncle Henry toiling. He looked and saw them.

“What are those queer creatures?” he asked.

“Hey, watch who you’re calling queer,” Rainbow said indignantly. “I swing both ways!”

“He meant queer as in strange, Rainbow,” Rarity clarified.

“Does queer have another meaning in Equestria?” Dorothy asked.

“It’s a term with a romantic fondness towards someone of the same gender,” Twilight explained.

“My Aunt Em says it’s sinful to be like that,” Dorothy said.

“Well, in Equestria, we’re not as narrow-minded,” Sunset said. “In our culture, which gender you’re interested in doesn’t define who you are.”

“I see,” Dorothy said. She was still new to learning about different things, so she decided to be more polite towards her guests.

“That’s all well and good,” Uncle Henry said. “But, it doesn’t answer my question.”

“Oh, right, sorry,” Applejack said. “We’re ponies n’ Spike’s a dragon.”

“We’re looking for shelter,” Sunset said. “We promise to work hard to earn our keep.”

“We do have a pretty good harvest this year,” Uncle Henry said. “But, there is always more work that needs to be done. Perhaps you can help.”

“And what can we expect in terms of payment?” Rarity asked.

“You’ll be paid in meals,” Uncle Henry said. “Only people can use money. It’s of no use to you.”

He must have no idea of what we’re really like, Spike thought internally. He kept the thought to himself to make sure no one got into trouble.

Uncle Henry studied Spike carefully. “Hmm,” he said. “I can’t see much use for a dragon.”

“How about if I keep your furnace lit?” Spike asked.

Uncle Henry stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I’ll consider it.” He then opened Spike’s mouth to see fangs in front and flat teeth in the back. “With those fangs, I reckon you must be a meat eater.”

Spike removed the hands from his mouth. “I eat meat occasionally, but, I’m open for eating anything else,” he said. “Except for green beans. Those things are nasty.”

Dorothy couldn't help but giggle a bit.

“Um, out of curiosity,” Spike said. “Do you happen to have any gems stored?”

“Gems?” Uncle Henry asked. “We don’t got much use for them.”

“I didn’t think so,” Spike sighed.

“What would Spike want with gems?” Dorothy asked.

“He eats them,” Twilight said.

“I didn’t know dragons could do that,” Dorothy said.

“Knowledge of dragons was in short supply in Equestria for quite a while,” Rarity said. “Though, their appetites for gems was rather common knowledge.”

“Though, I can’t eat diamonds,” Spike said. “I tried that once and broke my teeth.”

“Oh dear,” Dorothy said. “That must have hurt something awful.”

“It sure did,” Spike said.





A few days later, the ponies were working hard helping out on the farm. Spike, having only been kept around to help with lighting the stove when needed, was sitting lonely and bored.

“It really is quiet around here,” Spike said dismally. Dorothy noticed that Spike seemed sad and lonely.

“I’ve come to give you some company, Spike,” Dorothy said. She sat next to him. “I’m much too young to be put to work.”

“It’s good that I’m helping,” Spike said. “But, it’s not the most exciting thing. Aunt Em won’t let me sweep, mop, or help with the dishes. Says it’s women’s work.”

“Well,” Dorothy said. “Maybe you can use some free time and we can play together?”

“What kind of games do—” Spike suddenly stopped as his eyes fixed to the sky. “Uh, does the sky look grayer than usual?”

Dorothy looked out the windows and she gasped. “A twister’s a-coming!”

The ponies and Uncle Henry saw it, too.

“Everybody run for shelter!” Sunset shouted.

"There's a cyclone coming, Em," Uncle Henry called to his wife. "I'll go look after the stock." Then he ran toward the sheds where the cows and horses were kept.

The ponies made their way to the farmhouse as Aunt Em dropped her work and came to the door. One glance told her of the danger close at hand.

“Dorothy!” Aunt Em called. “Come into the cyclone cellar with us!”

The ponies made it inside just as Toto jumped out of Dorothy's arms and hid under the bed and the girl started to get him. Aunt Em, badly frightened, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark hole. Dorothy caught Toto at last and started to follow her aunt. When she was halfway across the room, there came a great shriek from the wind and the house shook so hard that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly upon the floor. Spike and the ponies were knocked off balance as well. Rarity grabbed Spike and held him close.

“Hold on tight, Spike!” Rarity shouted, her voice elevated against the fierce winds as a strange thing happened.

The house whirled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. They all felt as if they were going up in a balloon.

“Whoa~!” they collectively exclaimed as the north and south winds met where the house stood and made it the exact center of the cyclone. In the middle of a cyclone the air is generally still, but, the great pressure of the wind on every side of the house raised it up higher and higher, until it was at the very top of the cyclone. And there it remained and was carried miles and miles away as easily as you could carry a feather.





It was very dark and the wind howled horribly around them, but, Dorothy found she was riding quite easily. After the first few whirls around and one other time when the house tipped badly, she felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle.

“Does anyone else feel strangely relaxed right now?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yeah,” Spike said. “And not just because Rarity’s holding me.”

Toto did not like it. He ran about the room, now here, now there, barking loudly, but, Dorothy sat quite still on the floor and waited to see what would happen.

Once Toto got too near the open trap door and fell in. “Toto, NO!” Dorothy cried. She began to tear up, thinking she’d lost Toto.

“You haven’t lost him yet, Dorothy,” Sunset said, reassuringly.

“But, he fell!” Dorothy said sadly.

“Take a look at the trap door and guess again,” Sunset said.

Dorothy did so and, to her surprise, she saw one of his ears sticking up through the hole. She gasped happily and she reached in to pull him by that same ear out of the trap door. “How did Toto not fall further?” she asked.

“The same air pressure that’s keeping this house aloft,” Sunset explained.

Dorothy was one to admit that it was a bit of information to take in, but, she was still so glad that Toto was okay that she felt better. “Perhaps it would be a good idea,” Dorothy said. “To close the trap door to keep this from happening again.” She closed the trap door.

“I’ll weigh it down,” Pinkie offered before sitting upon the trap door.

“Thanks, Pinkie,” Rainbow said.





Hour after hour passed away and slowly Dorothy got over her fright. With Spike and the ponies, it was hard for her to feel lonely, though, the wind shrieked so loudly all about her that she nearly became deaf. Sunset lit up her horn and used her magic to close all the windows, muffling the noise. Twilight helped to make sure Dorothy’s hearing was okay.

“Are you okay, Dorothy?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Dorothy said. “I was wondering if we would be dashed to pieces when the house fell again.”

Applejack thought of this and she carefully began to stomp on the ground, looking for any weak points. “Ah don’t think we got anythin’ ta worry ‘bout fer a while,” she said. “This house is purty sturdy fer how old it is.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow said. “It made it to the top of the cyclone okay.”

“So,” Sunset said comfortingly. “We should be alright, Dorothy.”

After Dorothy listened to their words, she stopped worrying and resolved to wait calmly and see what the future would bring. At last she crawled over the swaying floor to her bed, lay down upon it, and Toto followed and lay down beside her.





In spite of the swaying of the house and the muffled wailing of the wind, Dorothy soon closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. Spike and the ponies watched over her. Spike looked out a window and saw that it was nighttime.

“I think Dorothy has the right idea,” he said. “Let’s get some shut-eye.”

“We can use Aunt Em and Uncle Henry’s bed,” Sunset said. “They won’t be using it.”

“I’m certain we can wash their bedding a bit later on,” Rarity said.

“I’ve read this book a few times before,” Sunset said. “This house won’t be going back to Kansas any time soon.”

“Which means we won’t be going back any time soon, either,” Twilight added.

Spike and the ponies climbed into the bed with Spike being embraced by Twilight and Rarity. So, they slept peacefully.
> Chapter 2: Secrets and the Council with the Munchkins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone in the farmhouse slept peacefully, but, the Equestria residents suddenly noticed that the muffled sound of the wind stopped altogether, startling them awake before they went to the windows.

“Something tells me the cyclone passed,” Rainbow said.

Suddenly, Pinkie’s tail started twitching.

“Twitchy tail!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Something’s going to fall!”

Spike looked out a window to see clouds passing quickly. “And I think I know what it is!” he said. “US!”

“EVERYBODY BACK ON THE BED!” Sunset shouted. “QUICK!”

No one hesitated and they jumped back onto the bed.

“BRACE FOR IMPACT!” Sunset said urgently.





Dorothy was in a deep sleep and didn’t hear them. She was awakened by a shock so sudden and severe that if Dorothy had not been lying on the soft bed, she might have been hurt. As it was, the jar made her catch her breath and wonder what had happened and Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined dismally. Dorothy sat up and noticed that the house was not moving. Nor was it dark, for the bright sunshine came in at the windows, flooding the little room. She sprang from her bed and, with Toto at her heels, saw the Equestria residents all huddled together on Aunt Em and Uncle Henry’s bed.

“Are you all okay?” Dorothy asked.

“Well, we’re still alive, if that’s what you mean,” Starlight said.

They slowly made their way off of the bed. They were slightly shaken up at first, but, soon, they began to get their bearings. Fluttershy noticed some of the floorboards had the impression of an older female figure in long robes and a pointed hat that wasn’t there before.

“Oh, dear,” Fluttershy gasped.

Dorothy went to the door and opened it. The little girl gave a cry of amazement and looked about her, her eyes growing bigger and bigger at the wonderful sights she saw. The others heard Dorothy’s voice and they walked over to see what she was looking at. Like magic, the normally grayscale colored friends regained their colors. Dorothy even got color in her skin and hair, though, her dress was still a dark gray. This gave Rarity the impression that was the dress’ natural color.





The cyclone had set the house down very gently--for a cyclone--in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty. There were lovely patches of greensward all about with stately trees bearing rich and luscious fruits. Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes. A little way off was a small brook, rushing and sparkling along between green banks and murmuring in a voice very grateful to a little girl who had lived so long on the dry, gray prairies.

Chapter 2: The Council with the Munchkins, Sunset said internally.

“Hey, Auntie Sunset,” Spike asked. “Did your slippers change color?” He looked at them carefully and saw they were still silver. “Oh, never mind. False alarm.”

Sunset looked at her slippers and used her magic to turn them ruby red before Dorothy could notice.

Pinkie looked at the house. To her amazement, it was still intact. “This is a deceptively sturdy house,” she said.





While she stood looking eagerly at the strange and beautiful sights, Dorothy noticed coming toward her and her friends a group of the queerest people she had ever seen. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to, but, neither were they very small. In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older.

The Equestria residents noticed these people as well. Three were men and one a woman and all were oddly dressed. They wore round hats that rose to a small point a foot above their heads, with little bells around the brims that tinkled sweetly as they moved. The hats of the men were blue. The little woman's hat was white and she wore a white gown that hung in pleats from her shoulders. Over it were sprinkled little stars that glistened in the sun like diamonds. The men were dressed in blue of the same shade as their hats and wore well-polished boots with a deep roll of blue at the tops. The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as Uncle Henry, for two of them had beards. But, the little woman was doubtless much older. Her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair was nearly white, and she walked rather stiffly.

When these people drew near the house where Dorothy was standing in the doorway, they paused and whispered among themselves, as if afraid to come farther. But, the little old woman walked up to Dorothy and the others, made a low bow, and said, in a sweet voice:

"You are welcome, most noble Sorceresses, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage."

“Sorceress?” Twilight asked. “None of us are sorceresses.”

Dorothy listened to the speech with wonder. What could the little woman possibly mean by calling her and her friends sorceresses and saying they had killed the Wicked Witch of the East? Dorothy was an innocent, harmless little girl, who had been carried by a cyclone many miles from home and she had never killed anything in all her life. None of the Equestria residents had killed anything to her knowledge, either.

But, the little woman evidently expected her to answer, so, Dorothy said, with hesitation, "You are very kind, but, there must be some mistake. We have not killed anything."        

“Perhaps not us directly,” Fluttershy said. “But, when the house landed after the cyclone passed, we must have landed on someone. I did notice the imprint of a figure with a pointy hat.”

"Your house did, anyway," replied the little old woman with a laugh. "And that is the same thing. See!" She continued, pointing to the corner of the house, "There are her two feet, still sticking out from under a block of wood."

Dorothy looked and gave a little cry of fright. There, indeed, just under the corner of the great beam the house rested on, two feet were sticking out, shod in silver shoes with pointed toes. The others (minus Sunset, having expected it, and Fluttershy, having seen the imprint earlier) were equally shocked.

“Somebody died?!” Pinkie said in surprise. “And I thought this was a kid’s boo–”

Sunset interrupted Pinkie by shushing her. Dorothy was too distraught to notice.

“Oh, no!” Dorothy said in a distressed tone. “I didn’t mean for the house to crush anyone! Whatever shall we do?”

"There is nothing to be done," said the little woman calmly.

"But, who was she?" asked Dorothy.

"She was Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East, as I said," answered the little woman. "She has held all the Munchkins in bondage for many years, making them slaves for her night and day. Now they are all set free and are grateful to you and your friends for the favor."

“I’m guessing those are the people of this land?” Starlight guessed.

“Why, yes, they are,” the little woman answered.

"Are you a Munchkin?" asked Dorothy.

"No, but I am their friend,” the little woman answered. “Although I live in Gillikin Country, the land of the North. When they saw the Witch of the East was dead, the Munchkins sent a swift messenger to me and I came at once. I am Locasta, the Witch of the North."

"Oh, gracious!" cried Dorothy. "Are you a real witch?"

"Yes, indeed," answered the little woman. "But, I am a good witch and the people love me. I am not as powerful as the Wicked Witch who onced ruled here or I should have set the people free myself."

"But, I thought all witches were wicked," said the girl, who was half frightened at facing a real witch.

“Uh, that’s not entirely true, Dorothy,” Sunset said. “There was a time when witches were actually respected as wise healers. That changed when sexist Christians came to power and started burning them at the stake just for being different.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Dorothy said. “I didn’t know.”

“That is a great mistake,” Locasta said. “There were only four witches in all the Land of Oz and two of them, those who live in the North and the South, are good witches. I know this is true for I am one of them myself and cannot be mistaken. Those who dwelt in the East and the West were, indeed, wicked witches, but, now that you have killed one of them, there is but one Wicked Witch in all the Land of Oz--the one who lives in the West."

“Whoa,” Rainbow whispered to Sunset. “There sure is a lot of lore in this boo–”

Sunset interrupted Rainbow by shushing her. This time, Dorothy did notice.

“Why ever did you shush her?” she asked.

“Well,” Sunset said, trying to sound inconspicuous. “It’s a private matter.”

Dorothy decided to leave it at that. "But," she said after a moment's thought. "Aunt Em has told me that the witches were all dead--years and years ago."

“I guess not all of them,” Trixie said.

"Who is Aunt Em?" inquired the little old woman.

"She is my aunt who lives in Kansas, where we all came from," Dorothy explained.

Locasta seemed to think for a time, with her head bowed and her eyes upon the ground. Then, she looked up and said, "I do not know where Kansas is, for I have never heard that country mentioned before. But, tell me, is it a civilized country?"

"Oh, yes," replied Dorothy.

"Then that accounts for it,” Locasta said. “In the civilized countries, I believe there are no witches left, nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians. But, you see, the Land of Oz has never been civilized for we are cut off from all the rest of the world. Therefore, we still have witches and wizards amongst us."

Trixie was somewhat offended. “All of us but Dorothy come from a place called Equestria,” she said. “It’s plenty civilized and there’s still all four of those.”

"Who are the wizards?" asked Dorothy, trying to avoid a dispute over the differing lands.

“They are wonderful beings,” Locasta explained. "Oz himself is the Great Wizard," she continued, sinking her voice to a whisper. "He is more powerful than all the rest of us together. He lives in the City of Emeralds."

Dorothy was going to ask another question, but, just then, the Munchkins, who had been standing silently by, gave a loud shout and pointed to the corner of the house where the Wicked Witch had been lying.

"What is it?" asked the little old woman before she looked and began to laugh. The feet of the dead Witch had disappeared entirely and nothing was left but the silver shoes.

“What just happened?” Pinkie asked.

"Evanora was so old," explained Locasta. "That she dried up quickly in the sun. That is the end of her. But, the silver shoes are yours and you shall have them to wear." She reached down and picked up the shoes and, after shaking the dust out of them, handed them to Dorothy.

"The Witch of the East was proud of those silver shoes," said one of the Munchkins. "And there is some charm connected with them. But, what it is, we never knew."

“Let the joyous news be spread,” one of the Munchkins said cheerily. “The wicked old witch at last is dead!”

Dorothy carried the shoes into the house and placed them on the table. Then she came out again to the Munchkins and said:

"I am anxious to get back to my aunt and uncle, for I am sure they will worry about me. Can you help me find my way?"

The Munchkins and the Witch first looked at one another, then at Dorothy, and then shook their heads.

"At the East, not far from here," said one. "There is a great desert and none could live to cross it."

"It is the same at the South," said another. "For I have been there and seen it. The South is the country of the Quadlings."

"I am told," said the third man. "That it is the same at the West. And that country, where the Winkies live, is ruled by Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, who would make you her slave if you passed her way."

"The North is my home," said Locasta. "And at its edge is the same great desert that surrounds this Land of Oz. I'm afraid, my dear, you and your friends will have to live with us."

“Uh, suppose some of us can fly?” Rainbow said.

“Did you see the direction the cyclone carried us?” Sunset asked pointedly.

“Uh…” Rainbow began. “No.”

“Then, flight won’t really help, will it?” Sunset said.

“No…” Rainbow said dismally.

Dorothy began to sob at this, for she felt lonely among all these strange people despite the Equestria residents. Her tears seemed to grieve the kind-hearted Munchkins, for they immediately took out their handkerchiefs and began to weep also. As for the little old woman, she took off her cap and balanced the point on the end of her nose, while she counted "One, two, three" in a solemn voice. At once the cap changed to a slate, on which was written in big, white chalk marks:

"LET DOROTHY AND HER FRIENDS GO TO THE CITY OF EMERALDS"

“The City of Emeralds?” Dorothy asked.

The little old woman took the slate from her nose and, having read the words on it, asked, "Is your name Dorothy, my dear?"

"Yes," answered the child, looking up and drying her tears.

“These ponies and dragon are your friends?” Locasta asked again.

“We are, yes,” Twilight said. “We may not have only known of Dorothy for a short while, but, we would do anything to make sure she’s alright.”

"Then, you must all go to the City of Emeralds,” Locasta said. “Perhaps Oz will help you."

"Where is this city?" asked Dorothy.

"It is exactly in the center of the country and is ruled by Oz, the Great Wizard I told you of," Locasta explained.

"Is he a good man?" inquired the girl anxiously.

"He is a good Wizard,” Locasta answered. “Whether he is a man or not, I cannot tell for I have never seen him."

"How can we get there?" asked Dorothy.

"You must walk,” Locasta said. “It is a long journey through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and terrible. However, I will use all the magic arts I know of to keep you from harm."

“Will you do so for all of us?” Fluttershy asked.

“I can sense that each of you has a form of magic that makes my protection unnecessary,” Locasta said.

"Won't you go with us?" pleaded the girl, who had begun to look upon the little old woman as a close friend.

"No, I cannot do that," she replied. "But, I will give you my kiss and no one will dare injure a person who has been kissed by the Witch of the North."

She came close to Dorothy and kissed her gently on the forehead. Where her lips touched the girl they left a round, shining mark as Dorothy found out soon after.

“Uh, suppose someone tried to injure someone kissed by you?” Starlight said.

“Then, they should end up injured themselves,” Locasta said.

“I see,” Twilight said. “So, it acts like a shield of sorts. Fascinating.”

“Out of curiosity,” Sunset asked. “Do you have a map of Oz?”

“It is easy to find it,” Locasta said. “Simply follow the path on the Yellow Brick Road and follow any signs leading towards the City of Emeralds.”

“I understand,” Sunset said. “But, can we have one anyway? Just in case we end up straying from the Yellow Brick Road? Or if it splits?”

“Very well,” Locasta said. She reached into her hat and pulled out a map of Oz.

“Thank you,” Sunset said politely.

“When you get to Oz, do not be afraid of him,” Locasta said. “But, tell your story and ask him to help you. Good-bye, my dears."

“Good-bye,” Dorothy said politely. “And thank you.”

The three Munchkins bowed low to her and wished her a pleasant journey, after which they walked away through the trees. The Witch gave Dorothy a friendly little nod, whirled around on her left heel three times and straightway disappeared, much to the surprise of little Toto, who barked after her loudly enough when she had gone, because he had been afraid even to growl while she stood by.

But, Dorothy and the others, knowing her to be a witch, had expected her to disappear in just that way and were not surprised in the least.





“We’ll need to prepare for our journey,” Spike said. “If we expect to get through this boo–”

Sunset interrupted him by shushing him. Again, Dorothy was confused.

“Can you excuse us for a second, Dorothy?” Sunset asked. “I need to have a word with my Equestria friends in private.”

“Why ain’t ya tellin’ her we’re in a–” Applejack said, before being shushed by Sunset.

So, Sunset led Spike and the ponies in a quiet private place out of Dorothy’s earshot.

“Sunset,” Twilight said. “Why are you being so–”

She was interrupted by Sunset shushing her. The others looked at her indignantly. Sunset at last sighed.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry about all of the shushing,” Sunset confessed. “But, I have a good reason to. To the characters in this book, this is their whole world. To them, this place is real and everything they do matters. If they learned that they were part of a children’s fantasy world, they’ll lose motivation to do anything and then, the story wouldn’t continue. That, in turn, would prevent us from going home.”

They all took a moment to digest Sunset’s words. After a while, they took the hint.

“Ah!” Applejack exclaimed. “Ah didn’t even think o’ that! Thanks fer the warnin’, Sunset.”

“While we’re here,” Sunset said. “We can’t let anybody here know that this is all part of a storybook.”

“You can count on us, Auntie Sunset,” Spike said with a salute.

Sunset levitated ginger ale to Applejack.

“You can use this to settle your stomach if you feel you’re starting to gag, Applejack,” Sunset said. “No one besides us knows of your, uh, condition when it comes to little white lies. If they ask, we’ll just say something you ate isn’t agreeing with you.”

“So, in a way,” Rarity said. “It should feel more like an acting exercise, yes?”

“Exactly,” Sunset said with a nod. “Acting is a necessary part of entertainment. Actors playing heroes give kids something to aspire to.”

“Ah think ah can manage that,” Applejack said. “Anythin’ ta make sure we get through this.”
> Chapter 3: The Journey Begins and How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the Equestria residents regrouped with Dorothy, the little girl was curious.

“I don’t mean to pry,” she said. “But, what were you discussing?”

“We were discussing how we were going to keep you safe,” Sunset explained.

Suddenly, Applejack’s belly gave a deep growl.

“Are you alright?” Dorothy asked Applejack.

“Ah’m fine,” Applejack said. “Just hungry.”

“Come to think of it,” Dorothy said. “We will be walking for a little while, so, it might not be a bad idea to have something to eat before we start. Pity we don’t have any oats.”

“That’s okay,” Sunset said, gesturing to the trees. “There’s plenty of alternatives.”

So, after Dorothy collected clear, sparkling water from the little brook and fruits from the trees, the friends had some food to eat together. Twilight made sure to pack extra fruit for the journey.

“Could you pardon me while I wash?” Dorothy asked.

“Go ahead, darling,” Rarity said.





Dorothy went into the house and came out in a different dress. It was gingham with checks of white and blue and although the blue was somewhat faded with many washings, it was still a pretty frock. The girl had clearly washed herself carefully, dressed herself in the clean gingham, and tied her pink sunbonnet on her head. She had a little basket filled with bread from the cupboard with a white cloth over the top.

“What a precious ensemble, darling,” Rarity said.

“Thank you,” Dorothy said, giving a polite little curtsy.

“Ooh!” Pinkie squeaked happily. “Now you and Sunset are twinsies!”

Chapter 3: How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow, Sunset said internally.

Dorothy then looked down at her feet and noticed how old and worn her shoes were.

"They surely will never do for a long journey, Toto," she said. And Toto looked up into her face with his little black eyes and wagged his tail to show he knew what she meant.

“Why not wear the silver shoes?” Sunset said.

“I’m not used to wearing such nice shoes,” Dorothy said.

“Them or those old leather shoes,” Sunset said. “Take your pick.”

Dorothy thought for a moment and then decided to put the silver slippers on. To her surprise, they fit her as well as if they had been made for her.

“Oh, my,” Dorothy gasped. “They are quite comfortable. How did that happen?”

“Magical land, magical shoes,” Sunset said. “That’s how it works.”





After they were decently fed, the others were ready to start their journey. Dorothy closed the door, locked it, and put the key carefully in the pocket of her dress. And so, with Toto trotting along soberly behind her, she joined the others.

There were several roads nearby, but, it did not take them long to find the one paved with yellow bricks. Within a short time, they were walking briskly toward the Emerald City, Dorothy’s silver shoes and Sunset’s ruby slippers tinkling merrily on the hard, yellow road-bed. The sun shone bright and the birds sang sweetly and Dorothy did not feel nearly so bad as you might think a little girl would who had been suddenly whisked away from her own country and set down in the midst of a strange land with ten friends.

She was surprised, as they walked along, to see how pretty the country was about them. There were neat fences at the sides of the road, painted a dainty blue color, and beyond them were fields of grain and vegetables in abundance. Evidently, the Munchkins were good farmers and able to raise large crops. Once in a while, they would pass a house and the people came out to look at them and bow low as they went by for everyone knew they had been the means of destroying the Wicked Witch and setting them free from bondage. The houses of the Munchkins were odd-looking dwellings, for each was round, with a big dome for a roof. All were painted blue, for in this country of the East blue was the favorite color.

“Say what ya will ‘bout Munchkin architecture,” Applejack said. “They’re clearly good farmers.”

“And they have lovely looking houses,” Starlight said. “Definitely more eye-catching than the ones back in Our Town.”





Toward evening, when Dorothy was tired from her long walk and began to wonder where she and the others should pass the night, they came to a house rather larger than the rest.

“Ooh~,” Pinkie said. “That’s a big house.”

The people greeted Dorothy and the others kindly and invited them to supper and to pass the night with them for this was the home of one of the richest Munchkins in the land and his friends were gathered with him to celebrate their freedom from the bondage of the Wicked Witch.

“Greetings and thank you all sincerely,” the richest Munchkin said. “I am Boq.”

“Hello, Boq,” Dorothy said politely.

“Please do let yourselves in,” Boq said. “I shall personally wait upon you.”

“Thank you very much,” Dorothy said with a polite curtsy.

Dorothy and the Equestria residents were treated to a hearty dinner. Though, Spike had some reluctance to partake in the meat he was served.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to eat this, Mom?” Spike whispered to Twilight.

“Yes, Spike,” Twilight whispered back. “You know that Zecora said you need meat in your diet to keep your strength up and make your scales more durable.”

“Okay,” Spike said and he carefully cut up the meat and ate it. It was a bit different from the white meat he was used to, but, he still ate it.

“Is the meat a bit undercooked?” Boq asked.

“He’s been eating mostly pony food and gems most of his life,” Sunset explained. “He only started eating meat a couple years ago.”

“And how is it?” Boq asked.

“It’s okay,” Spike said, trying not to offend his host.

Boq nodded understandingly. He also showed Spike some of the vegetables, fruits, and desserts that were prepared for the occasion. Spike ate those much more eagerly.





After the dinner, Dorothy and the others sat upon a settee and watched the people dance while they sang.

“Ding Dong, the witch is dead
Which old witch? The wicked witch!
Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead~

Wake up your sleepy head
Rub your eyes, get out of bed
Wake up, the wicked witch is dead~

She’s gone where the goblins go Below~
Below below yo-ho!
Let’s open up and sing
And ring the bells out

Ding Dong the merrio
Sing it high, sing it low
Let them know the wicked witch is dead~”

“Well,” Rarity said. “They’re certainly a grateful bunch.”

“Hard to blame them,” Sunset said. “They were freed from a life of bondage.”

“I don’t see how being tied up is so bad,” Rainbow said.

“Not that kind of bondage,” Sunset said.

“I think it’s something more like torment,” Fluttershy said.

When Boq saw Dorothy’s silver shoes, he said, "You must be a great sorceress."

“I’m not a sorceress at all, sir,” Dorothy said honestly.

“But, you wear silver shoes and have killed the Wicked Witch,” Boq said. “Besides, you have white in your frock and only good witches and sorceresses wear white."

"My dress is blue and white checked," said Dorothy, smoothing out the wrinkles in it.

“Same with me,” Sunset said.

"It is kind of you both to wear that," said Boq. "Blue is the color of the Munchkins and white is the witch color. So, we know you are friendly witches."

“Well, where all of us except Dorothy come from,” Sunset said. “Magic users are pretty common.”

“As well as those who can fly and those who can use their strength in their hooves,” Starlight added. “Sunset and Twilight can do all three.”

“This land where you’re from does sound remarkable,” Boq said with fascination.

“Much more than Kansas,” Dorothy said.

“Though,” Boq said. “Kansas will be safe with your influence to protect it.”

Dorothy did not know what to say to this, for all the people seemed to think her and her friends witches and she knew very well she was only an ordinary little girl with a group of ponies and a dragon who had come by the chance of a cyclone into a strange land.

When they had tired watching the dancing, Boq led them into the house, where he gave them a room with enough pretty beds in it for all of them. The sheets were made of blue cloth and Dorothy slept soundly in them till morning, with Toto curled up on the blue rug beside her.





Later, when everyone else was asleep, the Equestria residents were gathered together.

“Auntie Sunset,” Spike asked. “What can we expect here?”

“To minimize spoilers,” Sunset said softly, but, still enough for Spike and the others to hear. “A few fantastical creatures, both good and bad, two good witches, two bad witches, and some other things that can go bad. Although, admittedly, we have faced worse things, especially a few months ago.” They all nodded, remembering the battle for Equestria, when Sunset and Twilight’s kingdom finally had the additional land added.

“Hopefully,” Starlight said. “Grogar doesn’t find his way here or worse yet, brings back the petrified villains.”

“But, who would think of doing that?” Trixie said. “As long as we have each other, we should manage easily.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow said. “We’ve already beaten one Wicked Witch and there’s one left.”

“We won’t let ya tell us how it’s done,” Applejack said to Sunset. “But, we will make sure ta keep Dorothy n’ Toto safe.”

“We better get to sleep,” Sunset said. “We have a long journey.”

The ponies each got into a bed with Rarity sharing hers with Spike, who she embraced lovingly.





The next morning, after everyone was well rested and had a satisfying breakfast, they were getting ready to start their journey.

"How far is it to the Emerald City?" the girl asked.

"I do not know," answered Boq gravely. "For I have never been there. It is better for people to keep away from Oz unless they have business with him. But, it is a long way to the Emerald City and it will take you many days. The country here is rich and pleasant, but, you must pass through rough and dangerous places before you reach the end of your journey."

“We can handle it,” Rainbow said confidently.

“It may be scary,” Fluttershy said. “But, we will be there for each other and make sure we’re all safe.”





They all bade their friends good-bye and again started along the road of yellow brick. When they had gone several miles, Dorothy thought she would stop to rest, which the others agreed to, and so climbed to the top of the fence beside the road and sat down. There was a great cornfield beyond the fence and not far away she saw a Scarecrow, placed high on a pole to keep the birds from the ripe corn.

Dorothy leaned her chin upon her hand and gazed thoughtfully at the Scarecrow. Its head was a small sack stuffed with straw, with eyes, nose, and mouth painted on it to represent a face. An old, pointed blue hat that had belonged to some Munchkin, was perched on his head and the rest of the figure was a blue suit of clothes, worn and faded, which had also been stuffed with straw. On the feet were some old boots with blue tops, such as every man wore in this country, and the figure was raised above the stalks of corn by means of the pole stuck up its back. Applejack couldn’t help but feel that there was something strangely familiar about this scarecrow.

While Dorothy was looking earnestly into the queer, painted face of the Scarecrow, she was surprised to see one of the eyes slowly wink at her. She rubbed her eyes. “Did any of you see that?” she asked.

“I think so,” Pinkie said. “Did you see the Scarecrow’s face wink, too?”

Dorothy climbed down the fence and walked up to the Scarecrow. Toto ran around the pole and barked.

"Good day," said the Scarecrow, in a rather husky voice.

“Oh!” Dorothy said surprised, but, she politely replied back. “Good day. How are you?”

"I'm not feeling well," said the Scarecrow, with a smile. "For it is very tedious being perched up here night and day to scare away crows."

“Can’t you just get down?” Rainbow asked.

"No, for this pole is stuck up my back,” the Scarecrow said. “If one of you will please take away the pole I shall be greatly obliged to you."

“Perhaps I can help,” Dorothy said. She reached up both arms and lifted the figure off the pole, for, being stuffed with straw, it was quite light.

"Thank you very much," said the Scarecrow when he had been set down on the ground. "I feel like a new man."

Dorothy was puzzled at this, for it sounded queer to hear a stuffed man speak and to see him bow and walk along beside her.

“So,” the Scarecrow said. “Who are all of you and where are all of you off to on such a fine day?”

“I’m Dorothy and this is my dog, Toto,” Dorothy said.

“And get ready to remember quite a few names as well,” Sunset said. “I’m Sunset Shimmer and these are my friends. Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Trixie Lulamoon, and Starlight Glimmer.”

“Do you have a name?” Fluttershy asked the Scarecrow.

“The Munchkin that made me never gave me one,” the Scarecrow said.

“That’s so sad,” Fluttershy said sympathetically. “Would you want a name?”

“I suppose I would,” the Scarecrow said.

“How about Bartleby?” Sunset suggested.

“Hmm… Bartleby,” the Scarecrow repeated with a smile. “I do like the sound of that.”

“Anyone else?” Sunset asked.

“Well, the name Bartleby does suit him really well actually,” Spike said. “Plus, it sounds like he really likes it.” The others nodded in agreement.

“Well, Bartleby, it is,” Sunset said.

“Uh, can ah ask a question?” Applejack said.

“I might not have an answer for it,” Bartleby said. “But, you can ask it.”

“How’d ya come ta life in the first place?” Applejack asked.

“I first heard something about a Powder of Life,” Bartleby said.

“Ah see,” Applejack said, nodding her head.

“Now, where are you all going?” Bartleby asked again.

“The Emerald City, to ask the Great Oz to send us back to Kansas," Dorothy explained.

"Where is the Emerald City?" Bartleby inquired. "And who is Oz?"

"Why, don't you know?" Dorothy returned in surprise.

"No, indeed. I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all," he answered sadly.

“We know little of Oz and the Emerald City ourselves,” Twilight said. “We’re not exactly from here. From what we’ve learned, Oz is supposedly a great wizard. Dorothy is going to ask Oz if there is a way back to her home in Kansas.”

"Do you think," Bartleby asked. "If I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?"

“If Oz really is as great as everyone says he is,” Trixie said. “Then, I see no reason why it wouldn’t be possible. If Oz won’t give you any brains, you’ll be no worse off than you are now."

"That is true," said the Scarecrow. "You see," he continued confidentially. "I don't mind my legs and arms and body being stuffed, because I cannot get hurt. If anyone treads on my toes or sticks a pin into me, it doesn't matter, for I can't feel it. But, I do not want people to call me a fool and if my head stays stuffed with straw instead of with brains, as yours all are, how am I ever to know anything?"

“Ya seem ta know how ta talk at least,” Applejack said.

“I have seen the Munchkin farmers do it,” Bartleby explained. “And it looked easy enough. When my mouth was first painted on, I didn’t know what it was for.”

“So,” Fluttershy said. “You must have practiced a bit, is that it?”

“I suppose,” Bartleby said. “Though, not for very long. I was only created the day before yesterday.”

“My goodness!” Rarity exclaimed in surprise. “Though you’re carrying on a conversation quite beautifully.”

“And without a brain,” Spike said.

“Well, maybe you can come with us,” Pinkie said. “If you can talk this good without one, think of what you can say with one!”

Bartleby liked the idea.

“A quick question, though,” Starlight asked. “What would you do with a brain if you had one?”

“Well, for one,” Bartleby said. “I wouldn’t be a fool.”

“I see,” Starlight said.





They walked back to the road. Dorothy helped Bartleby over the fence and they started along the path of yellow brick for the Emerald City.

Toto did not like this addition to the party at first. He smelled around the stuffed man as if he suspected there might be a nest of rats in the straw and he often growled in an unfriendly way at Bartleby. Fluttershy wore a look of shock.

“The very idea, Toto!” Fluttershy gasped. “I don’t think Bartleby would have any rats in his straw.”

"Don't mind Toto," said Dorothy to her new friend. "He never bites."

"Oh, I'm not afraid," replied Bartleby. "He can't hurt the straw. Do let me carry that basket for you. I shall not mind it, for I can't get tired. I'll tell you a secret," he continued, as he walked along. "There is only one thing in the world I am afraid of."

“What is it?” Pinkie asked. “The Munchkin farmer that made you?”

“No,” Bartleby said. “It’s a lighted match.”

Pinkie gasped and covered her mouth.

“Ah mean,” Applejack said. “It would make sense why ya would be afraid o’ ‘em. If one got too close ta ya, ya’d catch on fire.”

“And, being stuffed with straw,” Rarity said. “That would be most inconvenient.”

Bartleby nodded uneasily.

“Don’t worry,” Pinkie said. “We promise not to let any lighted matches near you.”

“And we should be careful with our fire powers, Spike,” Sunset whispered to the little dragon.

“Right,” Spike said. “If there is need of them, we’ll make sure to be a good distance away from Bartleby.”
> Chapter 4: The Apple Trees and the Road Through the Forest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a few hours the road began to be rough and the walking grew so difficult that Bartleby often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were here very uneven.

“We’re going in the right direction, aren’t we, Sunset?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“Considering this is literally the only form of pavement,” Sunset said. “We must be. Though, around here, the brick work is pretty shoddy.”

Sometimes, indeed, they were broken or missing altogether, leaving holes that Toto jumped across and Dorothy and the others walked around. As for Bartleby, having no brains, he walked straight ahead and so stepped into the holes and fell at full length on the hard bricks. It never hurt him, however and Dorothy or one of the others would pick him up and set him upon his feet again, while he joined some of them in laughing merrily at his own mishap. This didn’t sit well with Fluttershy.

“I know it’s a little unsettling,” Twilight said gently. “But, we’ll make sure you’re alright, Fluttershy.”

“I’m more worried about Bartleby being laughed at for his mishap,” Fluttershy said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Bartleby said. “I can’t feel pain, being stuffed with straw. And I can agree that I must look quite silly, so, I don’t mind the laughter.”





Presently, Applejack saw some apple trees and was getting rather hungry.

“Those apples look mighty ripe,” Applejack said as she approached one tree. “How ‘bout ah kick down some n’ we can have a snack ‘fore we carry on?”

“Applejack, wait, don’t!” Sunset said. But, she was too late. Applejack had already kicked the tree.

“OW!!!” a gruff voice said.

“Huh?!” Applejack looked around, looking for the source of the voice. “Did ah accidentally kick a farmer?! Ah’m so so–” She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as a branch from the tree grabbed her and began shaking her like a ragdoll.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” the tree demanded angrily, using a knothole as a mouth.

“Uh, ah was tryin’ ta get some of the apples growin’ off yer branches,” Applejack explained, albeit nervously. “Ah was hungry n’ ah wanted ta share with mah friends.”

“She was hungry!” the tree said, throwing her to the ground.

“D’oh!” Applejack groaned with pain.

“Well,” the tree said angrily. “How would you like it if someone came along and kicked you?”

Bartleby helped Applejack up. “Come along, Applejack,” he said. “You don’t want to eat those apples.”

Applejack gave a soft groan for she was still clearly in pain. The trees heard Bartleby insult their fruit.

“What’s that?” the first tree growled. “You dare insult our fruit?! Are you saying they aren’t what they ought to be?!”

“I should say not!” Bartleby retorted. “They may look pretty and shiny, but, I’ll bet they’re all rotted on the inside or filled with worms and caterpillars!”

“Why you–!!!” the tree roared.

The trees were so angry they started to pick the apples off of their branches and throw them at the scarecrow. This gave him the opportunity to catch them as they got close to him. He also made sure to protect Applejack from getting more hurt from the apple projectiles. Being made of straw, the apples weren’t bruised when they hit him. Once the apples were plucked off of the trees, Fluttershy dressed Applejack’s wounds and they got a good distance away from the trees.





“I have to say, Bartleby,” Spike said. “That was pretty smart.”

“Hey, Sunset,” Applejack said sadly. “Ah’m powerful sorry ah didn’t hear yer warnin’ sooner. Ah was so hungry that ah was more focused on fillin’ mah belly’n listenin’ ta reason.”

“It’s okay, Applejack,” Sunset said. “We all know how you feel about apples. You were born and raised on an apple farm, after all.”

“Yeah,” Applejack said. “Still, with this bein’ a magic land, ah shoulda figgered the flora here’d be just as magical.”

“Aren’t there trees like that in Equestria?” Dorothy asked.

“Apple trees, yes,” Applejack said. “Trees that attack, also yes. Those two in one that can talk, no.”

“I see,” Dorothy said. “We should rest a bit so you can recover, Applejack.”





The farms were not nearly so well cared for here as they were farther back. There were fewer houses and fewer fruit trees and the farther they went the more dismal and lonesome the country became.

And so, as they snacked, they sat down by the roadside near a little brook and Dorothy opened her basket and got out some bread. She offered a piece to Bartleby, but, he refused.

"I am never hungry," he said. "And it is a lucky thing I am not, for my mouth is only painted and if I should cut a hole in it so I could eat, the straw I am stuffed with would come out and that would spoil the shape of my head."

Dorothy nodded understandably.

"Tell me something about yourselves and the countries you came from," said the scarecrow when they had finished their dinner. So, they told him all about Kansas and how gray everything was there, Equestria and how different it was, and how the cyclone had carried them to this queer Land of Oz.

Bartleby listened carefully and said, "I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas."

Chapter 4: The Road Through the Forest, Sunset said internally.

"That is because you have no brains," answered the girl. "No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home."

“I suppose I understand a little bit,” Bartleby said. He then sighed. "Who am I fooling? Of course I cannot understand it," he said. "If your heads were stuffed with straw, like mine, you would probably all live in the beautiful places and then Kansas would have no people at all. It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains."

“How about you tell us a story while we’re resting,” Sunset suggested.

Bartleby looked at her reproachfully and answered:

"My life has been so short that I really know nothing whatever. I was only made day before yesterday. What happened in the world before that time is all unknown to me. Luckily, when the farmer made my head, one of the first things he did was to paint my ears, so that I heard what was going on. There was another Munchkin with him and the first thing I heard was the farmer saying, `How do you like those ears?' `They aren't straight,' answered the other. `Never mind,' said the farmer. `They are ears just the same,' which was true enough. `Now I'll make the eyes,' said the farmer. So, he painted my right eye and as soon as it was finished I found myself looking at him and at everything around me with a great deal of curiosity, for this was my first glimpse of the world.”

“That Powder of Life stuff must work really well,” Spike said. “You had senses as soon as parts of your face were made.”

“Even if you aren’t able to eat,” Starlight said. “I don’t know if you have a tongue, so, I don’t know if you have a sense of taste either.”

“I couldn’t have a real tongue,” Bartleby said. “For my mouth is painted on, as I’ve said.”

“Right,” Starlight said. “Anyway, you had your first glimpse of the world.”

“Oh, right,” Bartleby said. "`That's a rather pretty eye,' remarked the Munchkin who was watching the farmer. `Blue paint is just the color for eyes.' `I think I'll make the other a little bigger,' said the farmer. And when the second eye was done, I could see much better than before. Then he made my nose and my mouth. But, I did not speak, because, at that time, I didn't know what a mouth was for. I had the fun of watching them make my body and my arms and legs. And, when they fastened on my head, at last, I felt very proud, for I thought I was just as good a man as anyone. `This fellow will scare the crows fast enough,' said the farmer. `He looks just like a man.' `Why, he is a man,' said the other and I quite agreed with him. The farmer carried me under his arm to the cornfield and set me up on a tall stick where you all found me. He and his friend soon after walked away and left me alone.”

“That must have been so lonely for you,” Fluttershy said.

Bartleby nodded. "I did not like to be deserted this way. So, I tried to walk after them. But, my feet would not touch the ground and I was forced to stay on that pole. It was a lonely life to lead, for I had nothing to think of, having been made such a little while before. Many crows and other birds flew into the cornfield, but, as soon as they saw me they flew away again, thinking I was a Munchkin.”

“That’s so sad,” Trixie said.

“This pleased me and made me feel that I was quite an important person,” Bartleby said. “By and by an old crow flew near me, and after looking at me carefully he perched upon my shoulder and said, `I wonder if that farmer thought to fool me in this clumsy manner. Any crow of sense could see that you are only stuffed with straw.' Then, he hopped down at my feet and ate all the corn he wanted. The other birds, seeing he was not harmed by me, came to eat the corn, too, so, in a short time there was a great flock of them about me.”

“Oh, boy,” Rainbow said dismally. “Who would’ve guessed I’d feel sorry for what’s essentially a giant ragdoll. Uh, no offense.”

“What’s there to be offended about?” Bartleby asked. “One thing I knew from the start is that I’m less than the Munchkin who made me.”

“Well,” Applejack said. “Ya mean a lot ta us n’ that’s what’s important. Back ta yer story.”

“Right,” Bartleby said. "I felt sad at this situation, for it showed I was not such a good Scarecrow after all, but, the old crow comforted me, saying, `If you only had brains in your head you would be as good a man as any of them and a better man than some of them. Brains are the only things worth having in this world, no matter whether one is a crow or a man.' After the crows had gone I thought this over and decided I would try hard to get some brains. By good luck you all came along and pulled me off the stake and from what you say, I am sure the Great Oz will give me brains as soon as we get to the Emerald City."

“I’m sure he will,” Dorothy said. “Just as he will help me get home to Kansas. You sure seem anxious to get brains.”

"Oh, yes, I am anxious," returned Bartleby. "It is such an uncomfortable feeling to know one is a fool."

“We don’t think you’re a fool,” Spike said. “You tricked those trees into giving us their apples.”

“Indeed,” Rarity said. “That was most clever.”

“And you can spin such a beautiful yarn,” Sunset said. “People no older than you aren’t nearly as articulate.”

“Even with all of the books I’ve read,” Twilight said. “Hearing you say all of these things is truly captivating.”

“You’re only two days old,” Trixie said. “And you have an understanding of the world most don’t get until they’re years old. Clearly, you’re smarter than you think, with or without brains.”

“It is nice of you all to say,” Bartleby said. “But, I still would like a brain regardless. If only to have something in my head other than straw.”

“If you’re so certain on that,” Sunset said. “Then, I guess we can’t stop you.”





Applejack had been eating apples for the entire duration. The vitamins in the fruit helped to heal her wounds. She inspected her body and was surprised to discover she didn’t feel sore anymore.

“Hey,” she said in a pleasantly surprised voice. “Ah’m all better now!”

“Can I scan you really quick?” Sunset asked.

“Go ahead,” Applejack said.

“Scan?” Dorothy said. “What does that mean?”

Sunset lit up her horn and bathed Applejack in a cascading light that went up and down her body. Afterwards, Sunset doused her horn. “Huh,” she said. “Not an injury to be found.”

“The fruit in this magical land must be just as magical as the trees,” Rarity ventured.

“That would account for the magical energy I picked up in Applejack’s stomach,” Sunset said.

“That is incredible,” Twilight said with astonishment.

“I’ve heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” Spike said. “But, this is ridiculous.”

“She must have eaten enough apples to keep a whole hospital away!” Pinkie quipped.

“Ah left enough fer each o’ y’all ta have at least one,” Applejack said. “Ah ain’t that greedy with apples.”

“Thanks, AJ,” Sunset said. “Although, we might want to be careful with these considering their healing properties. And we don’t know if all apples in Oz have these same healing properties.”

“Y’all’d better carry the rest o’ the apples,” Applejack said before patting her belly. “Y’all know how ah get with apples.”

“Good idea,” Spike said. He began picking up the remaining apples.

“Should I ask?” Dorothy said.

“Basically,” Rainbow said. “No matter how much Applejack’s eaten recently, all it takes is thinking about apples to make her hungry again.”

“I suppose that does make sense,” Dorothy said. “I suppose there’s no point trying to figure it out?”

“You can try,” Spike said. “But, it may take a while.”

"Well," said the girl. "Let us go." And she handed the basket to Bartleby.

“Yes, indeed,” Bartleby said.





There were no fences at all by the roadside now and the land was rough and untilled. Toward evening they came to a great forest, where the trees grew so big and close together that their branches met over the road of yellow brick. It was almost dark under the trees, for the branches shut out the daylight, but, the travelers did not stop and went on into the forest.

"If this road goes in, it must come out," said the scarecrow. "And, as the Emerald City is at the other end of the road, we must go wherever it leads us."

The unicorns and alicorns used their horns to illuminate the way to make sure they weren’t going towards any dangerous places.

"Anyone would know that," said Rainbow.

"Certainly. That is why I know it," returned Bartleby. "If it required brains to figure it out, I never should have said it."

After an hour or so the natural light faded away. The alicorns and unicorns kept their horns glowing until they saw a small cottage built of logs and branches.

“Do you think anyone is living in that cottage over there?” Twilight asked.

“There is,” Sunset whispered to Twilight. “But, we’ll need shelter for the night.”

Dorothy and Spike let out yawns. “I’m too tired to worry about that right now,” Spike said.

“As am I,” Dorothy said, rubbing one of her eyes. “If anyone was in there, I hope we won’t be too much trouble.”

The owner of the cottage will be grateful we came, period, Sunset said internally.

Dorothy entered the cottage and found a bed of dried leaves in one corner. She lay down at once and with Toto beside her soon fell into a sound sleep. Spike was about to join Dorothy before Rarity stopped him by wrapping a hoof around him.

“Oh, no you don’t, Spikey-Wikey,” she said. “I’m not letting my sweet dragon sleep on dry, crinkly leaves. You’ll feel much more comfortable on my back.”

“Oh, thanks, Rarity,” Spike said after a yawn escaped his lips.

Rarity got down on her belly with her legs curled up and she used her magic to guide Spike until he flopped down onto her soft back. To the dragon, Rarity was as soft as a pillow, lulling him to sleep faster.

The other ponies went for places around the room to sleep in. Bartleby, who couldn’t feel tired, decided to keep watch over the others.
> Chapter 5: The Early Birds and the Rescue of the Tin Woodman
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack woke up before the others. She stepped outside to see that the sun was rising. Remembering that she wasn’t on her farm, Applejack had no chores to pass the time. However, she noticed Bartleby still awake.

“Howdy, Bartleby,” she said. “Good mornin’.”

“Good morning, Applejack,” the scarecrow said politely. “You’re up early.”

“Force o’ habit,” Applejack said as she took a seat next to him. “Normally, ah get up early ta do chores ‘round the farm.”

“What sort of chores?” Bartleby asked. “I’ve never seen anyone do them before.”

“Well,” Applejack said. “There’s sweepin’, moppin’, cookin’, n’ mah personal favorite, applebuckin’.”

“Oh,” Bartleby said. “Was that what you did to that one apple tree yesterday?”

Applejack nodded. “Ah can’t fly er use magic,” she explained. “N’ ah ain’t got no hands like y’all, so, ah have ta make due with what ah got.”

“So,” Bartleby ventured to ask. “With you being awake now without chores to do, what are you going to do?”

“Well, that there’s the problem,” Applejack said. “Ah ain’t got nothin’ ta do. Since yer awake, too, ah may as well chat with ya ta pass the time.”

“I hope I won’t be too dull for you,” Bartleby said.

“Let me tell ya somethin’, Bartleby,” Applejack said. “We got scarecrows in Equestria n’ yer a far cry from bein’ dull compared ta ‘em.”

“Why, thank you,” Bartleby said with a smile. Suddenly, they heard a light growling sound. “What’s that sound?”

“That’s mah belly grumblin’,” Applejack said, patting her belly. “We better look fer some food.”

“Alright,” the Scarecrow said, willing to help.





When the others awoke, the sun was shining through the trees and Toto had long been out chasing birds around him and squirrels. They stepped out to find Applejack supporting Bartleby on her back as he picked nuts off a nearby tree.

“Good morning, Applejack,” Pinkie said cheerily. “Good morning, Bartleby.”

“Why are you picking nuts like that?” Rainbow asked.

“Ah ate more’n mah fair share o’ apples yesterday,” Applejack said. “N’ y’all need the rest in case o’ injury. These nuts should help tide us over since ah doubt Dorothy has enough bread fer all o’ us. ‘Sides, after yesterday, ah ain’t chancin’ buckin’ trees while we’re here.”

“Thanks, guys,” Sunset said. “The protein in the nuts should help us.”

Bartleby climbed down with nuts. “We best search for water,” Dorothy said to him.

“Why do you want water?" he asked.

"To wash my face clean after the dust of the road and to drink, so the dry bread will not stick in my throat," Dorothy said and the others agreed.

"It must be inconvenient to be made of flesh," said Bartleby thoughtfully. "For you must sleep, eat, and drink. However, you have brains and it is worth a lot of bother to be able to think properly."

They left the cottage and walked through the trees until they found a little spring of clear water, where the fleshy travelers drank and bathed, and ate their breakfast. Dorothy saw there was not much bread left in the basket and the girl was thankful the Scarecrow did not have to eat anything, for there was scarcely enough for herself and Toto for the day. Much less the Equestria residents.





When they had finished their meal and were about to go back to the road of yellow brick, Dorothy was startled to hear a deep groan nearby.

“Geez, Applejack,” Rainbow said. “You need to stop thinking about apples so much.”

“That ain’t me,” Applejack said.

“She’s right,” Twilight said, holding a hoof up to her ear. “The sound is coming from this way.”

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 Dorothy discovered something shining in a ray of sunshine that fell between the trees. She ran to the place and then stopped short, with a little cry of surprise.

One of the big trees had been partly chopped through and standing beside it, with an uplifted axe in his hands, was a man made entirely of tin. His head and arms and legs were jointed upon his body, but, he stood perfectly motionless, as if he could not stir at all.

Chapter 5: The Rescue of the Tin Woodman, Sunset said internally.

The party looked at the figure in amazement while Toto barked sharply and made a snap at the tin legs, which hurt his teeth. Fluttershy helped to soothe Toto’s sore mouth.

“Did you groan?” Dorothy asked the tin man, whose reply was muffled due his mouth not moving.

“It’s his mouth,” Rarity noted. “It’s rusted shut.”

“I know what he said,” Sunset said. “He said, ‘Yes, I did. I've been groaning for more than a year and no one has ever heard me before or come to help me.'”

“Surprisingly intricate for one single groan,” Rainbow said. “So, how can we help?”

The tin man’s reply was once again muffled. Sunset translated, “‘Get an oil-can and oil my joints. They are rusted so badly that I cannot move them at all. If I am well oiled, I shall soon be all right again. You will find an oil-can on a shelf in my cottage.’”

“Wait, aren’t you made of tin?” Starlight asked. “Isn’t it iron that rusts?”

“Not the time to discuss metallurgy, Starlight,” Sunset said before directing her attention to the tin man. “Since that cottage is the only one around, it must be yours.”

The tin man groaned a muffled yes. Dorothy at once ran back to the cottage and found the oil-can and then she returned and asked anxiously, "Where are your joints?"

“For ease of communication,” Sunset suggested. “Let’s oil his mouth first.”

After Sunset levitated her (as she was shorter than the grown-up sized tin man), Dorothy oiled the sides of the tin man’s mouth. The joints in his jaw squeaked as they began to move again.

“Oh, thank goodness,” the tin man said clearly. “I can talk again! Quickly, please. Oil my arms, elbows, legs, and knees.”

“Is it okay if we start with your neck?” Sunset asked.

“Yes, please,” the tin man said. So, Dorothy oiled it and, as it was quite badly rusted, Bartleby, held up on Applejack’s back, took hold of the tin head and moved it gently from side to side until it worked freely and then the man could turn it himself. “Ah, I can see more things again! Now oil the joints in my arms.” And Dorothy oiled them and Twilight and Sunset bent them carefully until they were quite free from rust and as good as new. “That’s much better. Thank you all so much.”

The Tin Woodman gave a sigh of satisfaction and lowered his axe, which he leaned against the tree.

"This is a great comfort," he said. "I have been holding that axe in the air ever since I rusted and I'm glad to be able to put it down at last. Now, if you will oil the joints of my legs, I shall be all right once more."

They did so vigorously. Once he could move his legs freely, he thanked them again and again for his release, for he seemed a very polite creature and very grateful.

"I might have stood there always if you had not come along," he said. "So, you have certainly saved my life. How did you happen to be here?"

"We are on our way to the Emerald City to see the Great Oz," Dorothy answered. "And we stopped at your cottage to pass the night."

“Oh, thank goodness,” the tin man said. “I’m glad that my cottage was available and still being used by those who need it.” Then, he found himself curious. "Why do you wish to see Oz?" he asked.

“We want to ask him to see if there is a way he can send me back to Kansas,” Dorothy answered.

“And I’m going to ask if he’s able to give me some brains,” Bartleby added.

The Tin Woodman appeared to think deeply for a moment. Then, he said:

"Do you suppose Oz could give me a heart?"

“A heart?” Fluttershy asked.

"Why, I guess so," Dorothy answered. "It would be as easy as to give Bartleby brains."

"True," the Tin Woodman returned. "So, if you will allow me to join your party, I will also go to the Emerald City and ask Oz to help me."

“The more the merrier,” Pinkie said.

“If it’s not too much bother,” the Tin Woodman asked Dorothy. “Could you put my oil can in your basket?”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Dorothy answered politely. She put the oil can in her basket.

“Thank you,” the Tin Woodman said. “If I should get caught in the rain and rust again, I would need the oil-can badly."

“If only I had thought to bring an umbrella,” Rarity said.

"Come along," said Bartleby heartily and Dorothy added that she would be pleased to have his company. So, the Tin Woodman shouldered his axe and they all passed through the forest until they came to the road that was paved with yellow brick.





It was a bit of good luck to have their new comrade join the party, for soon after they had begun their journey again, they came to a place where the trees and branches grew so thick over the road that the travelers could not pass.

“Stand back, everyone,” the Tin Woodman said. He set to work with his axe and chopped so well that soon he cleared a passage for the entire party. The party members thanked the Tin Woodman for his efforts.

“Out of curiosity,” Rarity said. “Do you have a name?”

“Indeed,” said the Tin Woodman. “I was born Nicholas III of the House of Chopper.”

“A pleasure to properly meet you,” Rarity said.

“Is it okay if we call you Nick for short?” Pinkie asked.

“Certainly,” Nick said. At that moment, Bartleby stumbled into a hole and rolled over to the side of the road. Indeed, he was obliged to call to the others to help him up again. Rainbow and Fluttershy were able to help him out of the hole easily. "Why didn't you walk around the hole?" Nick asked.

"I don't know enough," replied the scarecrow cheerfully. "My head is stuffed with straw, you know, and that is why I am going to Oz to ask him for some brains."

"Oh, I see," said Nick. "But, after all, brains are not the best things in the world."

"Have you any?" inquired Bartleby.

"No, my head is quite empty," answered Nick, banging on his head as it made hollow noise as if to prove his point. "But, once, I had brains and a heart, also, so, having tried them both, I should much rather have a heart."

“Wait, what do you mean?” Spike asked.

"I will tell you my story and then, you will know," Nick said.

The party sat down as the tin woodman began his story.

"I was born in Munchkin country as the son of a woodman who chopped down trees in the forest and sold the wood for a living,” Nick said. “When I grew up, I, too, became a woodchopper and after my father died I took care of my old mother as long as she lived. Then, I made up my mind that instead of living alone, I would marry so that I might not become lonely.”

“Uh, question?” Rainbow said, raising a hoof.

“Yes?” Nick said.

“Does that mean you were a Munchkin?” Rainbow asked. “If so, why are you so tall compared to other Munchkins we’ve seen?”

“It’s true that I was born in Munchkin Country,” Nick said. “But, my status as Munchkin is only half true. My mother was a Munchkin, my father was a Winkie who moved here with his brother from Winkie Country, which accounts for my height.”

“Oh~” Rainbow said. “See, we haven’t met a Winkie yet, so we didn’t know.”

“Winkies,” Nick said. “Resemble Munchkins, but, taller and their color preference is yellow.”

“I see,” Fluttershy said.

“Anyway,” Nick continued. "There was one of the Munchkin girls who was so beautiful that I soon grew to love her with all my heart. Her name was Nimmie Amee. She, on her part, promised to marry me as soon as I could earn enough money to build a better house for her, so, I set to work harder than ever. I learned that she worked for the Wicked Witch of the East, Evanora.”

“Oh, my,” Twilight gasped.

“The witch did not wish Nimmie to marry anyone,” Nick said. “For she was so lazy, she wished the girl to remain with her and do the cooking and the housework. Knowing Nimmie was enslaved by the Wicked Witch of the East strengthened my resolve. I would marry her not just for love, but, to save her from her fate.”

“That is quite commendable of you,” Rarity said.

“But,” Nick said. “I didn’t account for the witch’s determination. She stole two cows and a sheep for a spell to prevent the marriage. Thereupon, the Wicked Witch enchanted my axe and when I was chopping away at my best one day, for I was anxious to get the new house and my wife as soon as possible, the axe slipped all at once and cut off my left leg.”

“That’s awful!” Spike said in shock.

"This at first seemed a great misfortune, for I knew a one-legged man could not do very well as a wood-chopper,” Nick said. “So, I went to my uncle, who was a tinsmith, and had him make me a new leg out of tin. The leg worked very well once I was used to it. But, this angered the witch, who was determined to stop the marriage. When I began chopping again, my axe slipped and cut off my right leg.”

“That’s scary,” Fluttershy said in a frightened tone.

“Again, I went to my uncle and again, he made me a new leg out of tin,” Nick said. “After this the enchanted axe cut off my arms, one after the other, but, nothing daunted, I had them replaced with tin ones.”

“No matter how many parts of the body are cut off,” Rainbow said. “It’s still freaky to think about.”

“The Wicked Witch then made the axe slip and cut off my head,” Nick said. “And at first, I thought that was the end of me. But, my uncle happened to come along and he made me a new head out of tin.”

“It’s lucky your uncle is able to help you,” Starlight said.

“Indeed,” Nick said. "I thought I had beaten the Wicked Witch then and I worked harder than ever, but, I little knew how cruel my enemy could be.”

“Oh, boy,” Applejack said uneasily.

“She thought of a new way to kill my love for the beautiful Munchkin maiden,” Nick said. “And made my axe slip again so that it cut right through my body, splitting me into two halves. Once more, my uncle came to my help and made me a body of tin, fastening my tin arms, legs, and head to it, by means of joints so that I could move around as well as ever.”

“That’s intense,” Trixie noted.

“But, alas!” Nick said. “I had now no heart so that I lost all my love for the Munchkin girl and did not care whether I married her or not.”

“That’s so sad,” Rarity said.

"My body shone so brightly in the sun that I felt very proud of it and it did not matter now if my axe slipped, for it could not cut me,” Nick said. “But, once again, I underestimated the witch’s cruelty.”

“Is there any low she won’t stoop down to?” Rainbow asked.

“She placed a curse on my joints,” Nick said. “This curse made them rust faster when exposed to water. Even if for only a moment.”

“That explains it,” Starlight said.

“But, I kept an oil-can in my cottage,” Nick said. “And took care to oil myself whenever I needed it. However, there came a day when I forgot to do this and, being caught in a rainstorm, before I thought of the danger, my joints had rusted and I was left to stand in the woods until you all came to help me.”

“That must have been a lonely time for you,” Fluttershy said sympathetically.

Nick nodded. “It was a terrible thing to undergo, but, during the year I stood there, I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my heart. While I was in love, I was the happiest man on earth, but, no one can love who has not a heart and so, I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to Nimmie Amee and marry her to save her from the Wicked Witch of the East."

“Uh, you might be a little late on that last part,” Rainbow said.

“How do you mean?” Nick asked. He then gasped. “Is Nimmie hurt?!”

“What Rainbow means,” Sunset said. “Is that the Wicked Witch of the East has been dead for two days now.”

“Oh!” Nick said in surprise. He then sat down with his chin in his hands and a sad look on his face. “Even in death, the Wicked Witch continues to plague me. I should feel hope that I can finally be with Nimmie, yet, without a heart, all I feel is this cursed indifference.”

“We’re so sorry,” Dorothy said.

"All the same," said Bartleby, trying to be helpful. "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart, for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one."

"I shall take the heart," returned Nick. "For brains do not make one happy and happiness is the best thing in the world."

“Come on, y’all,” Applejack said. “This ain’t the time fer fightin’ ‘bout ideals. Ah’m sure both o’ ya have yer reasons fer wantin’ what ya want n’ we are still on our journey together n’ all.”

Dorothy did not say anything, for she was puzzled to know which of her two friends was right and she decided if she could only get back to Kansas and Aunt Em, it did not matter so much whether Nick had no brains and Bartleby no heart or each got what he wanted.

What worried her most was that the bread was nearly gone, and another meal for herself and Toto would empty the basket. To be sure neither Nick nor Bartleby ever ate anything, but, she was not made of tin nor straw and could not live unless she was fed.