Read Online Oz: The Great and Powerful Junior Novel Disney Book Group by Disney Press - Free Book Online Page A

before it was too late.

C HAPTER T EN

    S THEY FLOATED high above Quadling Country, Oz took in his surroundings. It was a beautiful land, full of rolling hills and picturesque farms. To his right, Oz saw water pouring out of a large moss-covered rock, and to his left huge trees with large, leafy canopies that soared high into the sky. Sneaking a peek at Glinda, Oz smiled slightly. It figured that someone as beautiful as Glinda would live somewhere as beautiful as Quadling Country.
    Turning his gaze forward he saw that they were approaching a castle. It was perched on a hill, its sides gleaming white. Several large towers rose into the air, their roofs a soft blue color that matched the sky.
    The bubbles began to sink closer to the ground. As they did so, Oz noticed that hundreds of people had gathered on the road to the castle. And they were all cheering. “They’ve waited a long time for you,” Glinda said to Oz.
    Oz returned his gaze to the people below. They all looked so happy and excited. They were cheering and shouting, racing to the city to greet him. Or, rather, who they thought he was. Oz plastered a smile on his face. This was all an act, and he could be a very convincing actor.
    At last, the bubbles made their way into the castle’s courtyard. Gently, they dropped to the ground and then dissolved. The cheers grew even louder. “All hail Oz!” the crowd exclaimed.
    “What, no fireworks?” Oz asked Glinda as she led them through the crowd.
    “What are fireworks?” Glinda asked, confused.
    Oz shook his head. “Remind me to show you sometime.”
    They pressed on, the swarming crowd making it difficult to walk. As they drew closer to the steps leading up to the palace, Oz cleared his throat. This was all too much. He needed to come clean. He had to tell Glinda the truth. There was no way he could save her people from the likes of Evanora. Wouldn’t it be better to tell them now so they could run?
    “Look,” he said, whispering to Glinda. “There’s something I should…well…I may not exactly be…” He paused. “A wizard,” he finished.
    He waited for Glinda to scream or hit him or faint in shock. But she just smiled. “Yes, I know. At least, not any kind of wizard we were expecting.” She turned and waved at the crowd.
    “You could tell?” Oz said, confused.
    “Yes,” Glinda replied. “I can also tell you’re weak, selfish, slightly egotistical, and a fibber,” she said.
    “I see,” Oz said, his ego bruised. “Anything you don’t know about me?”
    “Whether you’ll save my people,” she replied.
    Oz paused. He had just told her he wasn’t a wizard. He had no powers. And as she had clearly pointed out, he apparently had very few redeeming qualities. Turning to look at the crowd, he sighed. How was he going to save them ?
    Glinda began to make her way up the steps of the palace. “If you make them believe, then you are wizard enough,” she said, her voice quiet. “These are desperate times, after all. Can you make them believe?”
    Reaching the top, she turned and looked out over the crowd. Oz turned as well. It seemed all of Quadling Country was there, and they were all looking up at him with eager and hopeful eyes.
    “Will I still get the gold?” Oz whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
    Glinda sighed and rolled her eyes. But she gave a small nod.
    Oz smiled. He had told the truth. His conscience was clear. Now it was time for the show to go on. He raised his arms. “Good people of Oz!” he cried. “Your Wizard is here!”
    And the crowd went wild.

    Through the crystal ball, Theodora watched Oz and Glinda greet the Quadlings. She fought back tears as they waved to the crowd and exchanged smiles. They looked so happy. Just like she and Oz had been once upon a time.…
    As another tear rolled down her cheek, Evanora entered the throne room. Seeing her sister’s weepy expression, Evanora rolled her eyes. “What’s the matter, sister?” she said with a sigh.
    “Look