As a rabid Oz fan, God bless my Aunt Judy RIP, I could shove so much Oz trivia down your throat you'd hate me for it. I'm surprised I haven't done this yet. So, here we go...

Keep your eyes peeled for Easter Eggs.

…...

Christina lived in a simple log cabin in the middle of the lonesome Kansas Prairie with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Henry was a farmer and Em was the Farmer's Wife, a role with which she was happy mind you. However, everything was baked dry. The tall grasses baked yellow and brittle, the log cabin's paint was blistered and peeling such was it's age.

Even Aunt Em and Henry were baked by the sun, weathered and gray.

Christina was arguably the only colorful thing for many many miles.

When Em had first encountered the Infant in the pasture, surrounded by the flock of sheep she hadn't known what to think. Nonetheless, she scooped the sleeping babe up and carried her home to Henry despite how odd the child looked with tiny black wings and pointed ears.

They loved her despite her differences and raised her as their niece.

Which brings us to the present...

…...

I'm dreaming again, Christina thought to herself standing in the middle of rolling green fields full of odd flowers and even odder birds.

Thunder crashed overhead scaring her.

"I'll get you my pretty and your little wolf too,"

the voice echoed around her, rain soaking her to the bone.

"Christina!"

"Christina!"

"Christina!"

…...

"AH," Christina's eyes snapped open as she looked around wildly.

"Christina, it's okay, Sweetheart,"

Her searching eyes landed on the kindly face of her aunt Em.

"You were having those dreams again," Em observed, laying a wrinkled hand on her arm.

"Did I set fire to something again?" Christina gasped worriedly, running her hand through her knotted hair.

"Only the curtains dear, I can replace them, don't worry, Now get up, get dressed,"

"Yes Ma'am,"

Aunt Em disappeared behind the slightly fried curtain to allow Christina her privacy.

The log house in which they lived had four walls and a ramshackle roof which often leaked. Inside this room, there were two beds, a stove, a table, a small bookshelf, and the cyclone cellar. A long gingham curtain separated the beds creating rooms.

Christina stood from the bed, stretching while trying to shake off the dream that lingered in her mind. Once it was gone, she got on her knees and pulled out the box of freshly pressed, faded, and worn dresses, all handmade by Aunt Em who thought it was better to make things than to by them. Christina only had two dresses, one blue and white checked like the curtain, the other a pale lavender. Selecting the second one, she grabbed her black apron off of the hook and tied it on.

"Jade?" she called curiously, wondering why her pet hadn't greeted her yet, "Where'd you go sweet pup?"

Seemingly on cue, Jade trotted in, carrying to shining bracelets in her mouth.

"Thank you, I almost forgot these," Christina patted the black and silver wolf on her head.

Jade yipped happily.

The bracelets were specially made for Christina, shining silver with a thread of iron in the center of each to stop her powers which try as she might she couldn't control.

Tying her brown hair into a ponytail, Christina pulled the curtain aside to find her aunt setting the table.

"I still can't understand how you tamed that wolf, a month ago she was chasing the chickens all over the yard," Said Em with a quizzical look in her eyes.

"I just showed her kindness, and she calmed, where's Uncle Henry?"

"Oh, he went to town earlier this morning, now do you mind checking the animals for me, dear?"

"Not at all," Christina smiled.

"Do see if that hen has laid an egg, It's been two months,"

"Yes, Ma'am, come on Jade,"

…...

"Here, chick chick, chick," Christina called upon her arrival to the coop which was just outside the barn.

Several hens ran for Christina's feet. Some black, others white or brown. With a small smile, she tossed the feed and waited until they were distracted to collect the eggs.

"Billina, did you lay an egg?" Christina hopefully inquired, "Because if you don't Aunt Em will chop you up for dinner one day,"

The hen clucked, offended.

"It's true!"

gathering the last of the eggs in her apron the girl dutifully carried them back to the house before going to the barn.

"Morning everyone,"

After feeding the livestock Christina dragged a stool to the center of the pen and peered up at the sky. The sky was turning cloudy, an ominous sign for those in the country but she chose to focus on the sunlight that forced its way through the clouds. Jade hopped into her lap, licking her chin expectantly.

"I have wings, Jade but I'm as stuck to the ground as the rest of you," she mused, the animals coming to gather round her, "I've always felt there was something more out there for me but where?"

The sounds of birds caught her attention.

"I suppose it's somewhere behind the moon, beyond the rain,"

Jade pawed at her hand, tentatively she began to stroke her back as she became lost in thought.

"Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Jade looked at her quizzically.

But Christina's eyes were solely on the skies.

"Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?"

Rain began to pelt her face as the last of the sunlight disappeared behind the clouds.

"How's my favorite Niece today?"

"Uncle Henry!" Christina stood, face flushed with embarrassment.

"I don't like the look of these skies,"

The sun seemed snuffed out now as if it never existed, to begin with.

"We'd better get to the house," Henry declared.

"Coming"

…...

half an hour later, Henry and Christina sat on the front step, watching the skies with concern.

"Cyclone," Henry gasped suddenly, "Em, Cyclone's coming on fast,"

Em was so startled she dropped the dish she'd been washing and ran for the cellar, throwing open the trap door hurriedly, scrambling inside. Henry ran for the barn to take care of the stock as the first foreboding winds tore through the plains.

Jade, who had never in her young life seen a storm ran to hide under the bed.

"JADE," Christina cried steps from the cellar.

She turned against the wind and went to her bed where Jade was hiding.

"CHRISTINA!" yelled Em, "Forget the wolf!"

The warning fell on deaf ears, Christina reaching under the bed for the pup, who burrowed into her arm.

With the pup secure in her grasp Christina stood, fighting her way to the cellar.

Halfway across the room, there came a great shriek from the wind which knocked Christina on her backside.

Suddenly, a strange thing happened.

The house spun around and around, slowly lifting to the very center of the cyclone.

"We're...flying?"

jade made a break for Christina's bed only to fall through the open trap door.

"JADE!" Christina scrambled to the trap door relived yet confused to see Jade held up by the strong winds.

Grabbing the pup she hauled her inside and slammed the door shut to avoid any further accidents. Her pet safely secure the hybrid staggered to her bed which was sliding about the floor along with everything else that wasn't bolted down such as the stove.

"We must be inside the cyclone," Christina observed as they slid past the window.

After the first hour of sliding around, she became used to it, the sliding giving away to rocking.

"I feel like a baby in a cradle,"

and with that thought her eyes drooped shut and she drifted to sleep, Jade pressed against her chest.

…...

The woods were dense and dark, the only source of light was the flickering flames of the gentle fire before her.

"Like, I'm sorry it isn't warmer. I-I got scared,"

"It's okay, I like it,"

A hand found hers but when she turned the figure was obscured by shadow.

"We'll get to the city,"

"I know,"

…...

A great jarring drop woke Christina and if she hadn't been lying on her bed she might have been hurt. She was relieved to see the fresh sunlight pouring through the window.

"Look, Jade, the storm's over,"

Jade barked her relief.

Christina stood, "Come on, we'd better see how far we are from the farm,"

She was already picturing how many obscure and hidden paths they'd have to take if they had been blown into a town. For if people saw her wings or fangs they'd set out to harm her. Thus she had never before been off the farm.

But upon opening the door she discovered they were indeed very very far from home. There was no golden-baked prairie in sight. Instead, there were rolling hills covered in shiny green grass which was peppered with peculiar flowers. Tall trees were weighed with fruit of many colors and on their sturdy branches rested birds with beautiful feathers. Directly past the trees was a babbling brook of crystal clear water.

Stepping outside, Christina looked around in awe.

"Jade," she said after some thought, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore,"

The wolf barked in agreement before growling.

Christina squinted, shading her eyes against the sun.

a strange group was coming over the hill. Mice, small but human-like mice wearing sensible clothing in many shades of blue. With them was a woman in a pink dress. The woman spoke when they were a few feet away from her, Christina noticed she seemed shocked.

"It's you..."

the woman had said this so quietly that her mice companions hadn't heard her but Christina had and she was confused.

"I beg your pardon?"

The stranger realized she'd spoke aloud and quickly corrected herself.

"I mean thank you, Miss,"

"For what?"

"You've saved us," spoke the youngest of the mice, "From that awful cat,"

"Look," said another, "That's all that's left of her,"

Christina gasped in horror upon seeing the feet sticking out from under the house.

"SHE'S DEAD," cheered the mice excitedly.

"I'm...not...dead...yet,"

The house was lifted by the bright orange werecat tormentor. She shared the same shocked look like the woman upon seeing Christina before smiling evilly.

"Regina will be most pleased,"

Her arms gave out and she was pinned once more.

"Okay, now she's dead," cheered the mice, "We must celebrate!"

Christina feeling very overwhelmed began to quietly cry. She had just killed someone! Jade began licking tears from her face. Her strange company seemed grieved by her tears as they pulled out their handkerchiefs and began dabbing hopelessly at their eyes. Only the woman seemed calm, laying a hand upon Christina's arm to grab her attention.

"Please don't cry" she spoke softly, "Toraei was oppressing the people who live here and deserved to be stopped,"

"I-I just want to go home,"

"Where is your home?"

"Kansas,"

"Then I'm afraid you're a very long way from home,"

"Why? Where am I?"

"You're in Oz, in Munchkin country to be more specific,"

"Then how will I get home?"

"Fear not for I am going to help you,"

"How?" How can you help me?"

"I can help because I'm a witch,"

Christina was startled for she believed all witches to be dead.

"You needn't worry, I'm a good witch, the good witch of the north to be precise,"

"There are four witches in Oz," pipped the youngest mouse, "One for each direction. The ones in the north and south are good witches but the witches of the east and west are terribly wicked, working together to bring havoc,"

"Oh my,"

While the Munchkins were explaining, the witch pulled a slate from her dress pocket, spinning it around and around before holding it in front of her. In shimmering letters it read:

Send Christina to the Wizard Of Oz.

"Your name's Christina?"

"Yes,"

"Then you must go see the Wizard of Oz who lives in the Emerald City at the very center of the country,"

"He'll help me get home,"

"Yes,"

The Munchkins suddenly screamed with terror.

Christina looked up as scared as the rest of them.

A thick column of black smoke shot to the ground. At once the Munchkin fell to the ground hiding their faces in the grass.

"See Mother? I told you!"

A duo, radiating darkness emerged from the smoke with snarls on their faces.

"Yes, Drew, you were right," spoke the woman, "Who killed her?" she demanded.

Her cruel gaze locked on Christina, "It was you!"

"I-I didn't mean to!" Christina whimpered, "It was an accident,"

"We can cause accidents too!" Drew said.

"Hush, Son,"

Drew shut up as his mother grabbed Christina forcefully by the chin, "Such a pretty girl, Pure too, I think she'll do quite nicely for you, Drew,"

"Unhand her Regina!"

"Eliza, you pose no threat to me," Regina cackled.

"But aren't you forgetting the shoes,"

Regina let Christina go suddenly, "The shoes of course,"

She crept closer to the edge of the house only to watch as Toraei's feet turned to dust and her sparkling silver heels disappeared.

"They're gone," she whirled on the witch, "The Silver shoes, what have you done with them, tell me or I'll-"

"It's too late,", Eliza pointed to Christina's feet, "There they are and there they'll stay,"

As is her birthright the witch silently added with a soft smile.

"Give them back to me! Give them back," Regina demanded of Christina.

Finding the smallest sliver of courage the hybrid replied:

"No,"

"No? Did you just say no?"

Christina nodded.

"Ha! You have a fire within you"

"You have no power here, Regina, be gone before somebody drops a house on you,"

Regina looked up warily, "Fine but first,"

Christina yelped as her bracelets, the only thing keeping her powers in check, were magicked away from her.

"Let's see how brave you are without these," the vampire witch cackled, "I'll get you my pretty and your little wolf too!"

The duo disappeared in another column of thick black smoke.

"Well, seeing as you've made a terrible enemy I'd suggest you get going quickly,"

"Yes," Christina nodded, "But how do I start for Emerald City?"

"It's always best to start at the beginning and all you do is follow the yellow brick road, over there,"

Christina stared at the road curiously.

"The journey will be a long one through beautiful and dangerous country but I trust you can handle it, Christina,"

"I can try,"

"That's the spirit! Now if you'll excuse me, I must tend to my frightened friends,"

Once the witch left Christina slipped back inside her house and grabbed a large picnic basket which she filled with bread and cheese before closing it tightly.

"Let's go, Jade,"

…...

Several hours later Christina was still walking briskly. She would have flown had it not been for Jade who was terribly afraid of heights.

"Why did they have to be heels?" she wondered aloud, "Couldn't they have been something more comfortable?"

She froze as her shoes shifted suddenly, going from heels to flats.

"Did I do that?"

Jade stared at her.

"Okay, I realize that's a stupid question,"

Resuming their walk they came across a forest, a dark forest with trees so close together that one couldn't see the sun.

Jade seemed to catch some sort of scent and bounded inside without a moment's hesitation.

"JADE!" Christina screamed running after her.

She found Jade growling at some bushes.

The bushes began to tremble.

Christina's eyes widened in fear as a massive paw emerged. This paw was quickly followed by the rest of the animal. A wolf was bigger than any she had seen before. Worse, it seemed intent on eating Jade who growled defiantly at the animal three times her size.

"Stop that!" Christina snapped finding a brief rush of courage.

The wolf was suddenly caged.

Christina jumped back in surprise.

The wolf burst into tears, reverting to something more human-like.

"Like, I swear I wasn't going to eat her!" the werewolf cried, "I-I just wanted to scare her away, honest,"

Christina grabbed Jade before stepping closer to look the babbling werewolf in the eyes.

"You're nothing but a big coward aren't you?"

"Yes!"

The cage disappeared in a burst of sparkles.

"It's okay," Christina soothed, "I'm not mad at you,"

"You aren't?"

"No, I was just scared for Jade, she's my only friend, I know that sounds silly,"

"No, not at all. Like, I know the feeling,"

A Great Dane puppy with feet much too big for the rest of its body stumbled from the bushes tripping and falling onto the road.

"That's Scooby and my name is Shaggy,"

"I'm Christina,"

"Like, what are you doing in the woods by yourself?"

Jade barked.

"Sorry,"

"We're going to see The Wizard,"

"Y-you're going to see the Wizard?"

"Yes, so he can send us home,"

"Like-Like, do you think if I went with you the wizard would like, give me some courage?"

"I couldn't say,"

Shaggy looked crestfallen.

"But I'd be glad for the company,"

"Really?"

"Really, to Oz?" she pulled him to his feet.

"To Oz," Shaggy agreed.

Linking arms they continued down the road.

"We're off to see the Wizard

The wonderful Wizard of Oz

We hear he is a whiz of a wiz

If ever a wiz there was

If ever, oh ever a wiz there was

The Wizard of Oz is one because

Because, because, because, because, because

Because of the wonderful things he does

We're off to see the Wizard

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!"

…...

How many Easter Eggs did you catch?

Review, Please!