//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Journey Begins and How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow // Story: My Little Wizard of Oz // by BlueBioWolf //------------------------------// 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.”