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The first in the series of young Theo Gale, who is transported to the land of Oz and must embark on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz.

Commission by

| | FriskeCrisps |

Artwork by

| | Wolfblade |

"O'Fur the Rainbow"

It had started out as such a beautiful morning, the skies had been clear, there had been no warning of stormy weather when Theo had headed out to town with his dog Roro. A small town not three miles from his home seemed like such a different place when they had arrived. Roro picked it up first; his ears perked up and he let out a sharp yap that made Theo jump.

"What is it, Roro?" He asked. "We're just here for the supplies to help fix the storm shelter."Uncle Emilio wouldn't like it if we came out here for nothing... but where is everyone?"

Theo peered down the deserted town square, everything had been abandoned, though the shops still seemed to be open. Stopping at the hardware store, Theo sighed and pushed the wooden door open. A light chiming noise filled the store, and an old badger poked his head up from behind the counter. His squarish rimmed spectacles sparkled in the lower light that filled the shop as he recognized the young wolf in the doorway. Dressed in his usual coveralls and dirtied brown work boots. A single lace trailed off along the ground behind him and looked like it had been stuck in the door.

"Well... young Theo Gale!" He cackled as he stumbled from behind the counter and approached him, shaking his hand rather uninvitedly. "Well ain't this a pleasure, ain't it a pleasure."

"H-hi, Mr. Fredrick." Theo said in a stammering tone of voice. "I trust one of my uncles had sent word that I'd be out today?"

"Oh, my. Yes. Yes." Mr. Fredrick said, adjusting the glasses at the end of his nose a bit further up the ridge. "But I'm surprised you've picked today of all days to come out, son."

Awkwardly, one of Theo's ears perked up while the other remained somewhat folded over on his head. "Why's that?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." He chuckled brightly as he pulled Theo across the shop. "Now, have you got a list of what you need?"

"Mmhmm." Theo said, letting his backpack fall from his shoulder, he unzipped the outer pocket and pulled out a small sheet of paper, handing it to the old badger. "They--they gave me some money, I hope it's enough."

"Oh, trust me my boy. It'll be fine. Your uncles have always done right by me." He chuckled again. "Now let's see..." He quickly disappeared with the young wolf's backpack.

A lot of clattering could be heard somewhere in the back. Theo's ears perked up as he listened, a lot of grunting and banging of wood and rattling of drawers full of metal could be heard. "M-Mr. Fredrick? Is there... is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh don't you mind silly old me." The voice grunted in the background with a few "ouch"es as well. "We just need to get you on your way and home as soon as possible."

"Well... why's that?"

"Well, there's a storm coming! It's all over the airwaves! Looks like our little county is in for some nasty weather." He grunted and reached. "But don't you worry, we'll have you home in plenty of time, Theodore."

"UUUGH! What is that dog doing in here? This is a place of business?!" The voice came from Mr. Howler, a rather curmudgeonly old dalmation wolf mix who lived about two miles from Theo's farm had come in completely unseen and made Theo nearly jump out of his shoes. "Disgusting! You should have this dog removed at once shopkeep!"

"Oh, Mr. Howler." The badger appeared, now weighted down with Theo's backpack. "Oh, he means no harm." He said, casually ignoring the cautious growling from Roro. "In fact, Roro's one of my favorite customers eh?" He gave the puppy a rub on the head who immediately started wagging his tail happily as he handed the satchel over to Theo.

"Disgusting creatures." He scoffed. "They should put all animals in a giant plastic bag and drop them in the river."

"Hey, now. Roro's never done a thing to you." Theo said defensively.

"Oh, I'm not worried about what he'd do to me. He should be worried about what I'd do to him the moment I get my paws around the scruffy neck of his." At that moment, Roro barked angrily, making all three of the men jump.

Theo was back on the street after more angry words spouted from the man. He had moved aside the more dangerous products and returned Roro to his station in the big pocket of his backpack. "I don't know what he's so mean about." Theo pouted. "He's just an evil old witch. I swear." He scoffed as he petted Roro and started for home.

The wind had begun to pick up as Theo walked, the clouds looming high in the sky, the hint of rain didn't come. Just a deluge of water pouring down on the two canines all of a sudden. Theo raised his arms over his head as Roro took refuge inside his owner's backpack. The wind had grown ever stronger, tumbleweeds and loose grass floated across the path in front of them, but even with all the rain, there came no lightning, no thunder to accompany it. As he reached the hilltop that met the very end of his farm's fence, he spotted it: like a gigantic dagger cutting down from the sky, a cyclone struck the earth, not more than a mile behind the outline of his house. "Oh no! We've got to warn them, Roro!" Theo exclaimed. "We need to get them to the storm shelter!" He broke into a hard, fast run as the winds emanating from the tornado had blown all the rain off of his fur.

Following the wooden fence until it reached the picketed portion of the yard, Theo screamed and ducked as planks of wood yanked loose from the fence and shot at him like darts. Theo fell to the ground, and Roro rolled out of his bag. Screws and bolts rolled away and became airborne themselves, suddenly shooting dangerously off into the open air. Soaked, and covered with dirt and mud, Theo quickly got back to his feet and continued to run toward the house.

The house was a rickety, old style home, made of wood planks and finished with a concrete foundation. The real security wasn't inside the house, but it was inside the storm cellar below it. There was no inside access to the shelter, just a slanted wooden door about a yard from the back door. That was Theo's first destination; grabbing the handle, Theo pulled to try and get the cellar door to open, but it appeared to be stuck. It didn't occur to him that the winds beating against the house, and threatening to lift him off the ground may have been keeping the shelter door closed, or the fact it may have been locked from the inside. "Oh god. Roro, we can't get in! We can't get in!" He screamed. "Uncle Emilio! Where are you!?" He screamed, but the volume of his voice paled in comparison to the growing violent turbulence of the cyclone. "We've got to check the house, Roro! Maybe they couldn't get to the shelter! Maybe they're inside!" He said.

Roro barked and ran after Theo as he ran to the door. It took a bit of effort against the wind, but he finally managed to yank the screen door open and fall into his family's kitchen. The door slammed shut, instantly quieting the noise, but not by much. The sides of the house were clapping and pulling free of their screws. He could hear the sounds of shingles on the roof breaking away from it, the steady increase of wind within the house was making Theo's clothes flutter. Theo screamed as he held his hands over his ear. "Uncle Emilio! Uncle Emilio! Please! Are you here?! Uncle Emilio!?" He clambered to his feet. "Uncle Emilio? Uncle Henry? Where are you!" He shouted and broke through the door into the master bedroom.

No one was there. The small three bedroom house was empty except for Theo and Roro. Terrified, Theo picked up Roro. He was sobbing uncontrollably now, terrified that the cyclone would soon sweep him and the rest of the house up, and that he would never see any of his friends or family again...

As if on cue, a blast of wind exploded through the window of the bedroom, showering Theo in glass. At first he wasn't hurt, but the wind had also knocked loose the bar for the drapes, which suddenly was thrown across the room as well, striking Theo in the head. Theo's screams quelled as his brain raced to register this new pain. Spots of blackness came creeping into his line of sight and he collapsed onto his uncles' bed. It felt for a moment like he was floating on air as he felt his head sink into the pillows. The sound around him was no more.

Theo awakened again. He put his hand against the side of his head where the bar had struck him and he staggered to regain his balance. Roro yapped in relief and began to lick the wolf's face. The house still felt as though it was rocking, as though it were moving. But that couldn't be, could it? He stood up and glanced through the window... it was. The entire house was intact, and they were inside the twister! Swirls of dust and debris clouded any vision of the world outside the wall of wind. He watched in shock as he saw windmill fans, weather vanes, even animals floating by. There was a surreal edge to it; not only did it seem like they were flying the wrong way, but they also felt like they were flying in slower motion than the actual wind was going.

"Wow, Roro! Look at that! We're caught in the cyclone!" He gasped as each of the objects floated by, as if to say "hello" to the unwilling travelers and their house. "OH! Look! It's Mr. Howler!" He pointed as the dalmation wolf floated by. It looked like he'd been in the middle of sweeping something off the floor, but he looked all the more sinister as he looked up and met eyes with the wolf and his puppy. "AHH!"

All of a sudden, the man changed some. His coat grew a long collar, and a series of chains appeared across his chest. His thick hiking boots changed too, slowly appearing higher on his legs than before, his boots now had a harness over the mid section and points appeared atop the toes. He cackled loudly, even over the roar of the wind outside as he draped one leg over the broomstick's handle and appeared to be riding it. Bringing out his hand, a pointed, broad brimmed hat flashed into view and he placed it atop his head, continuing to laugh. "Oh! I'll get you, young wolfy. And I'll take your little puppy too! AHHHH-HAHAHAHA!" He screamed in laughter now as Theo cried out, falling back and landing on the bed again. The wind had begun to shake the house now, it felt like it was falling from the sky. Theo felt light headed now as the furniture in the room began to pull and throw across the floor including the bed. Theo's ears popped and he let out a cry as he very nearly passed out from the sudden descent.

"OOMPH!" The ground hit the house a lot less violently than Theo had predicted. The sound of the wind had gone, and all seemed still outside the window. Everything was still except the trembling that he and Roro shared from their jarring ride. "Roro? Are you okay?" He asked, to which the dog promptly replied with an assured bark.

Slowly, Theo sifted his way from the clutter that had been made of the things previously set neatly up in his house. He had to swim across a pile of broken mirrors, fallen chairs, paintings, even dressers that were out of place made him truly glad how lucky he was to have survived all of this... as he approached the front door, he picked up his backpack, which he had discarded when he ran into the house earlier and put it on. Surely his uncles had gotten to the shelter in time and they were spared all of this shock themselves.

As Theo opened the door, the house became flooded by a brilliant light from the sun outside. It was so radiant he had to put his hand over his eyes. "Oh, Roro, it's so bright!" He exclaimed as he stepped out.

There was no porch outside the front door anymore, just a shattered, split ramp that used to make up the steps now driven directly down into the ground. Looking down, Theo noticed that the ground had been laid out in beautiful red colored bricks. As he gazed along the ground, he could see a whole rainbow of colored bricks that lined the ground in different directions; there was orange, and blue, and also a road of an astonishing yellow color. Stepping out, he noticed that he was in what looked like a village square, the more he took in his surroundings, the more he realized that the tiny houses that surrounded the square were made of bright candy colors, just as brilliant and wonderfully shiny as the colors of the brick road. Theo frowned, having ruined such a unique and strange landscape. "This... this place is so lovely." He said. "Don't you think so, Roro?" He asked the puppy. "I don't think we're in the same world, do you? I mean... it's like we've traveled over the clouds and beyond, like... we've gone over the rainbow or something!" There was the sounds of high pitched giggling. "What's that?" Theo asked, whirling around, but seeing nothing behind him but small trees, bushes, even beds of flowers. He swallowed nervously. "Must have been my imagination." He resolved to himself.

Just then, Roro leaped from Theo's grasp and went running toward a nearby bed of flowers. He barked at it, and started to scrape his claws into it, shedding dirt onto the beautiful bricks. "Oh! Roro! Don't do that! You'll upset someone!" Theo shouted as he ran over to the dog and grabbed him to pull him away. His shoes slipped on the dirt under his feet and he fell flat onto his butt. "Ouch!" He shouted. Then he heard the sound of giggling again. "There's that noise again. That time I definitely heard something!"

Squinting, Theo thought he noticed something in the flowers. It looked like a pair of eyes staring back at him. A tiny button nose, and a miniscule pair of pursed lips. As he drew closer, he was stunned to see the eyes blink. "AHH!" He screamed and threw himself away from the flowers.

Suddenly, everything around him seemed to come to life. Flowers sprouted to life on their own; trees began to march out onto the road, then what looked like children in multi-colored outfits began to stream from the houses; why, the flowers weren't flowers at all! They were strange little costumes worn by strange little people who rallied around him, some of them giggling, some outright laughing. Theo grabbed Roro and tried to run, but was stopped by the cheers of several mustached creatures blocking the road. "Wha-who? What?" He scrambled as he came to a stop at the center of the square, where the four colors of the roads spiraled into one point.

"Thank you! Thank you!" The people exclaimed in high pitched, screechy voices as they all came up and gave the frighted wolf a hug, or a pet, whatever they could possibly get their hands on.

"Thank me for what? What's going on?" Theo reacted in shock and confusion, which in turn confused the tiny people of the town. "Come on! Tell me!" He shouted, making them cower somewhat in surprise.

It wasn't easily noticeable, but it caught Theo's attention. Looking up he could see a small light up in the sky. Its flight patterns were somewhat erratic, it swooped and bobbed through the air, and it looked as though it was getting closer and closer. As he noticed it, the other little people did as well, and instead spread out to form a circle around the town's square as they watched the light approach. On closer inspection, Theo realized that it wasn't a light, but it was a bubble. A solitary bubble that shifted from pinkish to purple colors, and it was moving closer. The wolf scrambled to his feet as Roro made a bee-line for Theo's backpack and vanished into it.

As the bubble landed, it vanished, and revealed a very strange looking creature within. He was a reptile, definitely a snake. He had a broad brimmed fedora hat on his head, and each side was supported by the breadth of his cobra-like hood. He had hair which the bangs fell over fairly kind eyes that sort of detracted from the rest of his species traits; like a rattlesnake tail that came down from the back of his long, fur-collared coat. His boots were plain, though high and belted by two belts at the very top, the slight heeled boots had no points like Theo had seen on Mr. Howler, and at least his hat also was not pointed. But he carried a long wand in his left hand as he looked Theo in the eyes, although he smiled and didn't look at all unpleasant, the creature's sudden appearance definitely left Theo startled and worried.

"Are you a good witch? Or a bad witch?" He asked.

"I'm... ah... huh?" Theo's words were lost to him as he watched the little star on the end of this man's wand flicker with a soft light.

"Oh, I simply ask if you are a good witch, or a bad witch?"

"Who me?" Theo asked. The snake solemnly nodded once in response. "W-well I'm not a witch at all. I'm just a normal wolf. My name is Theodore Gale... or Theo if you'd please call me."

"Oh! Well, Theo. I apologize for the confusion." He said. "I simply needed to evaluate your intentions with my people. It's not every day that one kills a witch and expects nothing in return."

"Killed?" Theo asked in confusion. "No, no... you've got to be mistaken. I haven't killed anyone... I-I just got here."

"Well, we know, silly." The snake giggled a bit. "Twas the method of your travel that proved the downfall of the evil witch." He pointed. "You see? Your house put an end to his terrible reign on Munchkin Land."

He pointed with his wand toward Theo's house. To his horror, he turned to see a pair of legs exposed from under one of the corners of the house closest to them. A pair of bright red sneakers rested on his feet, shining in the sunlight. Theo reacted in shock and horror. "Oh! Oh! I'm so sorry! I-I didn't mean to! I wouldn't harm the wings on a fly!" He tried to explain. "You see the house--"

"Oh, do not be sorry." He smiled. "Your house was actually the liberation of this whole land from his Tyranny. It is thanks to you I was able to return; I am Glen, the good witch of the north."

"I--I didn't know boys could be witches." Theo said innocently.

Glen smiled and quipped. "And I did not know a house would fall out of the sky one day and kill someone."

"Good point." Theo admitted. "So... where am I?" He asked.

"Why, you are in Munchkin Land, in the beautiful world of Oz. By what means did you travel to this place?"

"W-well... my house was caught in a cyclone and picked up right off the ground!" He exclaimed so wildly that he received audible gasps from the surrounding munchkins. "Well, they're very heavy... houses." He admitted to them. "So only a powerful force could pick it up."

"We'd like to thank you for saving us!" One of the munchkins stepped forward and bowed. "You've saved us from nearly ten years under the careful watch of the eastern witch. He was relentless! He was ruthless! He only fell short to the Witch of the West, Bastion!"

Theo swallowed. "I'd... like not to meet him then, if this one was so terrible."

"Come! You must meet our mayor!" Another one said, grabbing Theo's arm.

"He will want to reward you for your generous and courageous rescue of our land!" The first one added, taking Theo's hand.

"But... but it was all an accident, I never meant--"

Theo couldn't even finish what he was saying as he was pulled along the road. As he was led along, he was greeted by more and more of the little people, joyously cheering at him at every turn. Each time he tried to object, he was quickly dragged elsewhere. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Glen standing still at the town square, a smile across his serpentine face as he clutched his wand in his other hand.

Finally, Theo was deposited in front of a short, white building. Though it was the largest in this tiny town that he could see, its doors were still small enough that he would have to duck to even enter it. Suddenly, the doors burst open, revealing a badger within. For a moment, Theo was shocked to see that he looked just like Mr. Fredrick back at home; but many badgers often looked the same.

"Oh! Great savior of Munchkin Land!" He announced, throwing his arms out to each side. "You have come from afar to put an end to the tyrannical Gemm; the Wicked Witch of the East!"

"Well I--"

Theodore was cut off as an impressive ribbon labeled "Hero" was thrown over his shoulders. "For your brave actions, I present you with the ceremonial 'Heroship' sash!"

"Yo-you really shouldn't ha--" His voice was cut off again as another munchkin in the crowd handed him a basket of pastries.

"And we, the Bakers of Munchkin Land offer you these treats as thanks from us too!"

"Th-thank you..." Theo said as he took the basket, which was impossibly tiny for what he pulled out of it.

"And lastly..." The mayor continued, holding up a shiny silver colored key. "As Mayor of Munchkin Land, I present to you a key to our city. May no doors in our country ever be found locked to you, our hero Theo!"

Grabbing his hands, the munchkins cheered loudly and began to dance to a very catchy beat. He looked up and smiled at Glen who was simply clapping along to the sound as a large band appeared from nowhere and began to play a celebratory song. As Theo began to dance along with his new friends, a new sound became apparent in the air; it was the sound of laughter.

The laughter seemed to echo from everywhere at once, which made the munchkins stop their celebratory dancing. Roro growled low and barked, sticking his head out from the backpack as Theo made his way back over toward it. All of a sudden, the wind began to pick up. "You think you fools have a right to celebrate? You fools will not be celebrating by the time I'm done with you!"

Suddenly, a column of fire exploded near Theo who screamed and fell back into Glen, who caught him and helped him back up to his feet as another being appeared. He looked like Mr. Howler, except his dark coat and pointed hat and boots. The flames coiled around him briefly before they vanished entirely, leaving behind nothing but a puff of smoke behind him. "Who killed my brother witch?" He asked as he glanced at the house, and the feet sticking out from underneath. "Who DARES kill the Wicked Witch of the East!?" He exclaimed angrily as he scowled at the munchkins who cowered away. "Was it you? Or you?" He pointed at individual citizens before coming eye-to-eye with Theo. "Or was it you?"

"It was an accident! I swear!" Theo said panicked.

"And a fortuitous accident." Glen admitted with a smile.

"So. Glen." He said with a snort. "The death of Gemm was a beckoning call for the Good Witch of the North was it?" He scowled at Theo. "And YOU, I will deal with you in a moment... just as soon as I gather what I've come here for." He turned and started toward the sneakers, which glowed even brighter as he approached. Just as he reached for them though, the sneakers vanished and he grabbed one of Gemm's bare feet instead, which then vanished from sight. "WHAT?!" He shrieked angrily. "Where are they!? What have you done with them, Glen?"

"Oh, I have done nothing with them. They have found their rightful owner. See?" Theo looked down at his feet and was shocked to see that his own sneakers were replaced by the beautiful red ones that shined like rubies in the sunlight. As he turned his foot over, he examined how the red gems twinkled in the light, the white laces were cinched and tied into a neat bow, which he found odd as he hadn't even felt them suddenly appear. The soles of them were soft and white, and somehow fit with absolute perfection. His mouth hung open in surprise as Glen continued to speak. "They belong to the person who dispatches their original owner, therefore the power of the Ruby Sneakers belongs to Theodore."

"Well, then I will have to convince him that it would be in his best interest to hand them over to me." He scowled. "Give them up, boy!" He roared angrily. "Before I turn you into a toad and dissect you."

"Oh, don't be silly. You know you have no power here." Glen said, firming his grip on the young wolf and approaching a more defensive posture. "Go on, shoo. There's nothing here for you. The realm of Munchkin Land is now under my protection!

Bastion scowled again and glared at Glen. "Very well. I will leave of my own volition. But the next you see me, boy, you will be mine..." He pointed at Theo, then to Roro. "And your little dog too!" He screamed in laughter as a swirl of smoke suddenly rose from the ground under him, concealing him completely. As the smoke evaporated though, they saw that he had vanished completely. His echoing laughter dispersing after a loud fiery bang from the very spot he had stood.

Theo was still trembling as Glen leaned in and gave him a squeeze of assurance. "Now now, he's gone." He said. "Come on out everyone! The wicked witch is gone! He is forbidden from returning!" Slowly everyone started to come out of the hiding spots they had found upon Bastion's appearance. "Oh do not worry, Theo. He cannot harm you, those sneakers grant you a protection from him, he cannot touch you while you wear them."

"But still..." Theo said, just short of a sniffle. "I... I just want to go home. Can't you just send me home, Glen?"

"I'm afraid I do not have that kind of power." He said. "But perhaps the Wizard would."

"The w-wizard?" Theo asked. "Is he a good guy?"

"The best." Glen smiled. "He resides in Emerald City, a great green kingdom at the end of the yellow brick road, in the very heart of our world. Simply follow the yellow brick road, and you will come to it."

"F-follow the yellow brick road?" He asked. "Is that it? It seems so easy."

"Beware along your journey, young Theo. It is wrought with dangers, both mystical and physical." He smiled and pulled Theo to him, planting his lips on the wolf's forehead. Theo blushed and as Glen backed away, he could see a faint purple light above his eyes that slowly faded away. "My spell will protect you from the magical dangers in our realm. Even Bastion's magic won't affect you as long as my mark remains." He smiled. "You will be safe."

"R-really?" Theo asked as he picked up his backpack and looked down at the road layered with yellow bricks. "So... just follow the yellow brick road?"

"Mmhmm!" Glen nodded as he guided Theo around the small spiral until it straightened into a road that led from the town. "Just follow that road, Theo!" He called after the wolf. "Follow it with wisdom, heart and courage, and all will be well!"

Theo's pace began to pick up, it was as if he were now driven to walk. Turning around he saw the already-small munchkin town growing even smaller. He saw Glen wave his wand, encompassing himself in a brilliantly bright pinkish to purple bubble. Theo waved at the munchkins, then waved toward Glen who ascended high into the sky and eventually out of sight. "Well... Roro." He said to his dog, planted in his backpack. "I guess we're off to see the wizard... and I really hope he can help us."

TO BE CONTINUED...