Despite it being so close though, it did take them a good two hours of walking before they finally arrived. Isaac knocked loudly on the door, and it was quickly opened by a little man dressed in green.
"I'm an the Guardian of the Gates. What is it you want?"
"Please, sir." Daria said. "We'd like to see the Wizard, if we may."
"The Wizard!" the Guardian gave them a hard look. "The Wizard doesn't see just anyone. If it's anything petty, you can be sure... but tell me, why do you want to see him?"
"I want to go home to Kansas. And Taylor wants brains, Isaac wants a heart and Zac wants courage."
"Hmm... well, we'll see what happens. You can come in."
The Guardian opened up the gates and they walked in. The Guardian then led them to the Palace of Oz, where he bid them adieu and went back to his post.
There was one sole solider at the palace (well, that they could see) and they informed him of why they wanted to see the Wizard. He told them that he would pass on their messages but that the Wizard would give them separate audiences, and they would have to stay a few days. A few moments later a pretty girl showed up, and escorted them to their rooms.
**********
The following day Daria was to see the Wizard. She was escorted to the throne room door, which was opened for her, and she stepped in alone.
Daria was rather nervous. She had learned that the Wizard rarely saw anyone, and the solider informed Daria that only telling him of the Ruby Ugh Boots were they permitted to see the Great Oz.
The first thing Daria saw when she entered the throne room was the giant head sitting on the throne. Truly, the sight was breath taking, and definitely freaked Daria out.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" demanded a voice that came from the head.
"I... I... I'm Daria and I... I came to ask if it were... if it were possible for you to send me back to Kansas."
There was a long silence.
"Where did you get the Ruby Ugh Boots?"
"I.. well, when I came here, a tornado picked up my house and it landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. These were hers and Gretchen the Good Witch of the South gave them to me."
Another long silence.
"I will send you back to Kansas, on one condition. Kill the Wicked Witch of the West."
"W-what?"
"I should think I made myself quite plain. Kill the Wicked Witch of the West. You killed one witch, so you should be able to kill another."
"But, but -"
"No buts! Now go!" ordered the booming voice.
Startled, and shaking slightly, Daria turned and left the room, trying to stop herself from bursting into tears.