It seemed the trio of Bryson, Dorothy, and Finley truly were exhausted from the recent happenings in Oz.

They slept the entire day away, and it was already the next day when Bryson had woken up.

They engaged in some tired small talk, all three of them soon getting out of bed to go into the main entrance of Emerald City to see what was going on.

There were some Emerald City citizens mingling around the room, and it looked just the way it had when Bryson and Dorothy left to stop Bruce and John.

It was really as if nothing ever happened.

Ozians were certainly strong minded, Bryson thought.

"Dorothy! Bryson! Finley!" Scarecrow called out, rushing over to them.

"Oh, Scarecrow!" Dorothy exclaimed, reaching out to hug and squeeze the straw man tightly. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"I was worried sick about you, Dorothy! It was horrible, what they were doing to us!"

Scarecrow hugged Dorothy for a while, before his eyes widened upon seeing Bryson.

"And you, young man!" Scarecrow exclaimed excitedly, releasing Dorothy to reach over and shake Bryson's hand almost violently with how much he was shaking it.

"Oh, wow, wow! Uh, yeah, yeah, me? Wh.. what did I do, Scarecrow?" Bryson asked.

"What did you do?!" Scarecrow exclaimed. "Why, you only saved us all! You are a hero! A true hero! Not only did you help save Oz once, you saved our whole entire land from being exposed! And tonight, for our celebration of saving Oz, we must honor you for what you have done for us!"

"Oh. Oh. Wow. I.." Bryson stuttered.

"Oh, that's a marvelous idea!" Dorothy exclaimed with a grin, clasping her hands together.

It seemed the citizens of Oz had noticed Scarecrow's praises and had gather around, all of them eagerly greeting Bryson and shaking his hand, some of them even hugging them.

They sang his praises, all of them going on about what a hero he was, how incredible he was, how much they loved them.

Dorothy and Finley smiled at Bryson as the citizens of Oz showed their love and appreciation for him.

He had never felt so loved, really. It overwhelmed him. He felt like his heart was going to burst, almost.

He had at this point accepted that in Oz, he was viewed as a hero rather than a skinny quiet kid who dreamed a lot.

The idea perplexed him, but he wouldn't try and reject it anymore.

Bryson continued to mingle with the large crowd, feeling overjoyed that Oz had been saved and that everyone was smiling again.

Eventually, he felt someone grab his arm.

He looked over and saw a smiling Glinda.

Bryson was relieved to see her and grinned. "Glinda!"

"Bryson. I am so delighted to see you. Do you all mind if I speak with him for a moment?"

He turned to Finley and Dorothy, giving them a smile. "I'll see you both in a minute."

Dorothy nodded and rubbed his arm. "Alright." She said with a smile.

"See ya soon, hero." Finley smirked, nudging Bryson playfully.

Bryson's cheeks had been flushed at all the compliments. He gave Dorothy and Finley a final look before he began to walk away with Glinda.

"I'm glad you're here. I have got a lot of questions." Bryson said.

As they walked, he could notice Ozians around Emerald City all getting excited as they watched him, waving at him and blowing him kisses, all gestures Bryson happily returned.

"I imagine you do, child. And I am happy to answer them." Glinda replied as she walked slowly with him.

"What happened to Tommy? He just.. randomly melted away when it rained and then he came back.. had this white flash in his eye.. and seemingly fixed everything?"

Glinda smiled, nodding at him. "I've discussed everything with him." Glinda stated. "It seems that the scepeter sensed his power. He used his power to change Oz back the way it was before Bruce and John began changing everything. He stored the spirits of Theodora and Evanora back in the scepeter and put Mombi and Nome King back in Emerald City dungeon. Oz World is no more and it seems whatever spell Tommy casted.. has caused everyone involved to go back to their world with no memory of the event."

"Wait.. the scepeter.. how?" Bryson asked, confused.

"When the scepeters were created, they were created to be bound to the Child of Oz and activate his power. But it only works when the scepeter is near the Child of Oz. It seemed that when Bruce and his men were loading everything up, they had found the missing scepeter yet to be destroyed. Since Tommy was near them, the scepeter sensed him and began to activate his power. His mortal form evaporated, and he began to take his Ozian form. Tommy was wise enough, it seems, to use the scepeter's magic to wish its own magic into him. He was using its power up until last night, when Ozma asked to see the scepeter. The scepeter is now safe and sound with Ozma." Glinda explained.

Bryson couldn't believe what he was hearing. The sweet and innocent Tommy he knew being an all powerful magic Oz child?

And Ozma.. Ozma was back?

"When did Ozma return?" Bryson asked, confused.

"Ozma returned last night. It seemed Ozma disappeared to hide any special powers Bruce and John could have attempted to exploit." Glinda explained.

"But why couldn't Ozma have helped us?" Bryson asked.

"Ozma knew we would win. Ozma always knows. Had Ozma had tried to infere, things could have gone poorly for us. Ozma seemingly knew this." Glinda explained.

Ozma really did work in mysterious ways, Bryson thought.

"It also seems you managed to project yourself to the real world while still being in Oz. Technology from the likes of Theodora. We're going to study that." Glinda said.

"Is Tommy alright, though? I mean.. he's.. all powerful now." Bryson said.

"His powers will only work in Oz." Glinda explained.

Bryson continued to walk with Glinda, becoming silent for a few moments.

And then he thought of it. The question that he had been wondering for so long.

"Hey.. Glinda." He began. "I.. I don't know if, um. Am I going to have to leave Oz again? Without knowing if I can come back?"

Glinda gave a sympathetic smile, looking down at the ground and then at him. "I'm.. afraid not, child. I.. would rather not have it this way, but it seems.. it is what Ozma believes is right."

Bryson's heart sank.

"Ozma has expressed great gratitude towards you, however. It is nothing against you, Ozma trusts you greatly. Section 24 is just.. dangerous, according to Ozma." Glinda said, rubbing Bryson's arm in a comforting manner. "If it were up to me, I would let you stay as long as you wanted, dearest."

Bryson looked at the ground. "It's always hard to say goodbye." His voice was already getting choked up.

"There, there." Glinda said softly, beginning to stroke his back, tilting his chin up and looking him in the eyes. "You will be taking Tommy with you. A piece of Oz with you."

"I wish I could stay forever." Bryson said softly.

Glinda stroked under his chin. "You've done a great thing for us. You will forever be known as a hero here. And you learned a valuable lesson here, didn't you, child?"

Bryson slowly looked up. "I... I did." Bryson realized, looking at Glinda confidently now. "I learned that I don't need to rush things. I don't need to obsess over how much time I am. I need to. to live in the moment. To appreciate what is around me, to not ask too many questions about the things that are good."

And it was true.

He had obsessed over how much time he had left with his father, his pet dog, time with school, and now the time he had in Oz.

He realized there was no need for that.

Once again, Oz had taught him something incredibly special.. and changed his life and world view.

And made him a stronger person.

"Take those words into consideration, child. Remember. You are young. No need to rush things." Glinda said sweetly.

Bryson smiled at her, but the smile faded when he realized something.

It seemed Glinda knew what he was thinking, too.

"And I know you love Dorothy. I know you don't want to say goodbye to her." Glinda said.

Bryson looked up. It seemed it was obvious to even Glinda.

"I feel guilty leaving her." He said. And it was true.

"You had to leave her once before. And you saw her again." Glinda said.

"So you think I'll see her again?" Bryson asked.

"All I am saying is that it is best to remain optimistic. When something is meant to be, I think it will always prevail. Even if it doesn't seem like it right now." Glinda told him gently.

Glinda's words made Bryson feel more hopeful. She always did have a way with words.

Bryson turned around, looking over at Dorothy, who was busy mingling with the other Ozians, smiling and laughing.

It would kill him to leave her again.

She was so beautiful.

"Have you told her yet?" Glind asked.

"About where I'm from? Oz being fiction and all of that?" Bryson responded.

Glinda nodded.

Bryson looked back to her. "I need to."

"Let me talk to her first. I want to update her about some things. In the mean time, enjoy yourself. I convinced Ozma to let you stay for the night so we can honor you before sending you back."

Bryson looked around, mentally preparing himself for the fact he needed to tell Dorothy, and then sadly leave her and the land of Oz.

...

Bryson talked to the other Ozians for another hour, enjoying their company.

Eventually, he realized Glinda had probably finished talking with Dorothy and he searched around for her.

He couldn't find her around, so he went outside.

He could eventually see her in the distance.

She was standing against a tree, smoothing out her dress.

She looked so beautiful standing there in the beautiful colors of the land of Oz.

He slowly approached her, in awe of her.

"Dorothy?" He asked.

She slowly looked over at him against the tree, her hands behind her.

"Oh. Hello, Bryson." She replied, seeming somewhat distant.

"How are you doing?" He asked simply.

"I'm.. alright.. I'm fine, I suppose." Dorothy replied, fixing her dress slightly, looking off in the distance.

"What's wrong?" Bryson asked, concerned.

Dorothy smiled slightly, looking at the ground and then finally up at him.

"You always know if something is wrong." She said softly. "You know me well."

Bryson smiled at her.

She lifted her hands up, fiddling them together. "It's just. Glinda told me you had to leave." She said softly.

Out of all of this, out of finding out Oz was real, defeating various enemies, being recognized as a hero, the fact that he had any of Dorothy's heart was the most shocking thing.

Bryson looked at her for a moment before he walked over, standing behind her and grabbing onto one of the tree branches, staying tall over the farm girl.

He leaned into her. "It's been hard for me, too. I hate that.. this is so complicated."

Dorothy sighed. "I guess you'll have to go off to your own home now.." She started. "Might find a nice girl there." She said softly.

"Oh, come on." Bryson said to her, leaning closer into her. "You know I could never find anybody as perfect as you."

Her brows raised, seemingly excited at the way he complimented her.

"I mean. You're perfect, Dorothy. Really. I've.. never met anyone better than you. I've gone on and on about you, but no words could really do you justice. You're the most magical thing about the whole land of Oz.. in my book." He said to her.

Dorothy's cheeks turned completely red and she scuffed her feet along the ground, leaning against the tree. She leaned closer into him and smiled. "You're my best friend, really. I just.. no one understands me the way you do. And.. it's going to be so sad.."

Bryson frowned. "You know.. I'm staying until tonight. We can enjoy each other until then, yeah? And.. so what if we have to say goodbye for now? Doesn't mean it's the end."

Dorothy shrugged. "I know, it's just. I'm going to miss you."

Bryson decided to lean over to Dorothy's mouth, planting a kiss on her lips.

He lingered for a few seconds, humming as she kissed him back.

They slowly pulled away, Dorothy flustered, her face all red. "Oh, my." She blushed. "Was that your way of saying you're going to miss me as well?"

"You can say that, yeah." Bryson smirked. "You know I'd never forget you. And I would wait as long as I needed to for you."

Dorothy grinned, biting her lip bashfully.

"Although.." Bryson remembered. "There is something I need to tell you." He said, looking at her more seriously.

She noticed his serious look, giving one of her own as she looked deep into his eyes with her own wide innocent brown ones.

"You know I'm not.. from where you're from, exactly." Bryson said.

"In the future in some way, yes. It does seem a lot of the outsiders are." Dorothy replied.

"But.. I'm from. what is called section 24. A forbidden section." Bryson continued.

His heart was beginning to race.

She would know the truth.

Would she still feel the same way about him?

Would it scare her?

Either way, he knew he couldn't keep anything from her. Not anymore.

"I still don't.. fully understand. What does that entail?" She asked curiously.

Bryson took a deep breath, slowly facing her.

"Dorothy.. I've.. I've sort of known you longer than you think. Since I was three, at least." He explained.

Dorothy furrowed her brows, tilting her head in a confused state. "What?"

Bryson took another deep breath.

"Dorothy. Where I come from.. Oz is a work of fiction." He told her.

Dorothy furrowed her brows again. "What? I don't understand."

He sighed, knowing it would be tough to explain.

"In my world.. Oz is known. But nobody knows.. that it's real. To my world, Oz is a mere fairy tale. A story. A book."

"But.. but how is that possible?" She wondered, taking a step back.

"I.. I don't know. I've asked Glinda myself. Even she isn't quite sure, it seems. But.. Dorothy. I know you've been confused about all of this, lately. About my world.. why they were so interested in kidnapping you." Bryson said.

Dorothy furrowed her brows, looking down at the ground. "I.. yes, yes, I suppose I've been awfully confused, really. Terribly confused."

Bryson sighed.

How could he explain this all to her in such a short amount of time?

He thought on it for a bit.

Glinda did have a point.

They could see each other again.

And he didn't want to leave her like this. Confused.

He decided he would tell her, but he wouldn't tell her every little detail. Not yet.

"Let's just say you happen to look a lot like a woman who was feautured in an Oz story. A movie, actually. In my world. Her name was Judy Garland. And.. Bruce and his men wanted to exploit that." Bryson explained.

Dorothy furrowed her brows. "I.. Judy Garland.." she said.

It was so odd to hear her say that name.

"Yes. She.. she was a very popular entertainer.. a long time ago. I can't explain it.. but perhaps our worlds sort of.. counteract. And the connection you and Judy have to Oz.. explains why you.. bare a pretty good resemblance to her." Bryson told her.

"I don't believe I've ever heard that name." Dorothy said in a confused manner.

"I wouldn't think so. I doubt she exists where you're from." Bryson replied. "She doesn't exist in mine anymore, either. She died a very long time ago."

Dorothy seemed so shocked. "Well, how did she die?"

"Well, it was a long time ago.." Bryson said simply, not wanting to complicate the situation.

Dorothy looked up. "This.. Judy Garland. How much do I look like her?"

Bryson scofffed. "Well.. very similar. Although I think you carry yourself differently. Talk in a different manner. You're.. certainly not the same person."

Dorothy looked around the landscape. "I suppose I've heard crazier things other than there's someone who looks like me in another world. Perhaps she is me in another world or something of that sort."

Bryson shrugged. "Who knows? For all I know there's someone out there that looks a lot like me."

Dorothy smiled. "I don't know, Bryson. You're one of a kind."

Bryson blushed. "Takes one to know one, eh?" He teased, bopping her nose in a teasing manner.

"Come on. Let's go inside. The celebration should be fun tonight."

The two linked arms and walked slowly along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, admiring what was around them.

...

Just as Bryson said, the celebration was very fun.

It seemed a vast majority of Oz was around in Emerald City to celebrate.

Bryson was given a green sparkly medal for everything he had done.

Tommy was also there, the Child of Oz getting a tremendous amount of applause and a medal of his own.

Bryson clapped loudly for the boy.

He was so proud of him.

Among the crowd, Bryson eventually found Charlotte and Kyle tugging at his leg to say hi and hug him, Charlotte clinging to Copper.

Bryson was so happy to see the two children, glad to see Tommy had brought them back to Oz, where it was safer for now.

He wrapped his arms around them and kept them close to him, Dorothy promising to keep a watchful eye on them.

At one point, Bryson had been offered to give a goodbye speech to Emerald City.

Bryson declinded.

He wasn't going to think of it as a goodbye. He would heed Glinda's words.

Instead, Bryson made sure to speak to each and every Ozian he could. It took him forever, shaking all their hands, giving them quick hugs and short parting words, but it was worth it. He loved the land and the people around it so much.

The people were lovely and he knew he would hate to see them go, having to go back home where people weren't this accepting and loving.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me." Bryson said to Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion.

They didn't know it, but the comment was far more personal then they realized after how much the characters had helped him when he watched them on VHS tapes or DVDs countless times in his childhood.

Bryson gave a hug to them all, feeling fur, tin, and straw against him.

"You are a wonderful person, young Bryson. I do hope we get to see you again very soon. You have such a big heart and I commend you." Tin Man said.

"Ya did pretty good out there, kid! Way to go." Lion encouraged.

"You're brilliant, Bryson. I admire you, really. Risking it all for a land that isn't even your own." Scarecrow smiled.

Those words meant more to him than they could possibly imagine.

After having as much conversation as he could with everyone in the room, Bryson began to scout out Dorothy.

He needed to have a final talk with her before he left.

Emerald City guards had retrieved his backpack for him and everything was still there, including his Oz key and his cell phone. It seemed his axe had been lost in the field.

He decided he would keep the Oz key as a memento of sorts.

And for all he knew, maybe it would come in handy again.

He slunked the backpack over his shoulders and began to look for her.

Sure enough, she was standing outside once more, looking as beautiful as ever in the night sky.

Bryson snuck his phone out and snapped a quick picture of her.

Maybe it was a risk.. but he wanted to see her. To have something to remember her by.

He put his phone back in his backpack and slowly walked out to her.

"How's your evening been?" Bryson asked.

Dorothy looked over at him and smiled. "Hi. I must say, the green medal suits you."

Bryson smirked and toyed with the new medal wrapped around him.

"Why thank you." Bryson said, looking up at the night sky. Oz did look beautiful at night, especially Emerald City with how it shined so brightly in the darkness. "You know, I think everything suits you." Bryson teased.

"You're so sweet." Dorothy blushed, giggling slightly, before soon having her smile fade.

"Are you upset again?" Bryson asked with a voice of concern.

Dorothy sighed. "I.. I just. Has Glinda told you?"

Bryson gave a confused look. "What? What is it, Dorothy?" He asked, beginning to rub her back in a comforting manner.

Dorothy took a deep breath. "It seems all the outsiders are going to have to leave."

Bryson shouldn't have been shocked.

"Glinda told me a few minutes ago. Ozma isn't going to force us.. but Ozma.. has recommended that we leave. All outsiders. And.. I don't know if we're going to be able.. to come back." Dorothy said, getting a bit choked up as she spoke. "And.. then.. after we depart.. Ozma plans on closing all portals to Oz. Shutting everything else out completely."

So.. Theodora was right.

The realization made Bryson's heart sink.

They stopped Oz World, but it came with a price. From now on, it seemed that perhaps no one else would be able to experience the land of Oz.

No one else could go on a journey of self discovery, to see a beautiful land over the rainbow.

"It's just.. so sad to me. Nobody can see Oz like we have. Like you and I. Like Tommy.. or Charlotte.. or Kyle. Or any of the outsiders." Dorothy shook her head, looking at the ground. "The damage has been done. It's.. I think it's likely that Oz will have nothing to do with the outside world ever again." Dorothy said. "I.. I always thought I'd be able to tell my future children about Oz. Maybe bring them here so they could experience what I have. And now.. the chances of that happening are gone." She said, a tear falling down her face. "And it really does amaze me, you know? How evil people can be. How their actions.. have effected all of Oz and future generations. And.. for that. I'm.." She looked down at her hands. "I'm almost ashamed I come from that world."

Bryson felt intense anger, suddenly, at his world.

No future children would be able to experience Oz like he had. Only through the books, movies, or games.

And it was so unfair to them.

All because of a few selfish people.

He wanted to punch something, but he knew it wouldn't help anything.

The fact it had made Dorothy so upset had really gotten to him, causing him to clench his fists and march off to find Glinda. "Wait here."

He found her eventually in the crowd, tapping her arm.

"Glinda." He said, causing her to turn to him.

"Oh, yes, Bryson. What is it?"

"Tell me it isn't true." Bryson sighed.

Glinda's face fell. "I.. suppose Dorothy told you."

Bryson shook his head. "This can't happen.."

"I don't like it either, dear. But.. I suppose Ozma knows what is best." Glinda said.

"But.." Bryson tried to argure.

"I've tried to convince Ozma otherwise, but it is no use. The portals will be closed by tomorrow morning." Glinda explained.

"S-so.." Bryson stuttered, getting teary eyed again. "So.. I'll never come here again?"

"No one said the portal's being closed is forever, dear. I.. hope it won't be. But it's like I've told you, child. Hope.. is what we need most. You cannot dread on the negative." Glinda explained.

Bryson considered Glinda's words, remembering everything she had said now and before.

It pained him, knowing what Bruce, Theodora, and everyone else involved in Oz World had done.

Maybe they failed to enslave Oz and make money off of it, but they had suceeded in ripping the world away from others to enjoy peacefully.

"Glinda. I just have.. one request." He said to her. "Can.. can you maybe let Dorothy and I have one of those horse carriage rides? Like we had when I went on the Oz tour when I got here. I wanna look around Oz with her. Talk with her. I want that to be.. the last thing I do before I leave tonight." Bryson said softly.

Glinda gave an understanding look and nodded. "Of course, child."

...

Glinda had prepared a horse carriage outside, a random Emerald City guard in control of it.

The Horse of a Different Color was the horse guiding it, and it was settled outside Emerald City.

Bryson searched for Dorothy again, finding her near the same spot he had before.

He rushed to her. "Hey! Sorry. I'm back now."

Dorothy gave a small smile. "Oh, Bryson. There you are."

"Hey, uh. I asked Glinda if she could arrange a horse carriage for us. To.. go sight seeing. See some of Oz." He said. "You want to?"

A small smile appeared on Dorothy's face and she nodded. "Yes. Yes, I would like that. Very much, actually."

Bryson grinned and slowly took Dorothy's hand. "Then let's go."

...

They rode around in the carriage for at least an hour.

They rode around Emerald City and in the fields, just admiring what was around them.

They gushed together about the land. How beautiful it was.

They talked about the fields. The flowers. The night sky. The shine of Emerald City.

Bryson had felt so at peace with Dorothy in that carriage.

Sitting next to her, only her.

It was perfect.

The carriage, however, eventually made its way back to where it started.

And suddenly.. Dorothy began to sniffle.

Bryson looked over and frowned.

"Dorothy.. it's okay." He said to her, reaching over to begin stroking her hair.

As he felt her hair, his hand trembled.

It was the last time he would feel her hair.. for a while, at the very least.

She continued to sniffle, wiping away her tears.

"I'm.. sorry. I just.. I'm not fond of goodbyes." She admitted, looking down in the carriage. "I am going to miss Oz. I've gone without it before.. it's just such a beautiful place. I love Kansas, but Oz is just amazing. I suppose it's for the best.. as I need to start a life of my own now that I'm eighteen. I knew I couldn't come here as often. But the whole situation still hurts." Dorothy explained. "And I can't stand knowing we won't be able to see each other."

"I wish I didn't have to leave. I wish.. things were simple." Bryson started.

She continued to look down.

"Could you look at me, please? Dorothy. I wanna see your eyes." He hummed.

Her lips twitched and she looked at him.

"Maybe.. maybe.. in another life.. things are more simple. Maybe.. my family owns a farm next to yours and I'm that nice kid from school that wants to take you to a dance. And I can see it now. Going up to meet your aunt and uncle. And they'd be.. overprotective. But I'd have you home by 8 that night and I'd gain their trust. And.. eventually we'd grow up. And we'd move away. Get a farm of our own and live a quiet life in the Kansas fields." He said, looking at her.

"Or.. in another life. Maybe.. maybe you're at my school. I notice you.. how different you are. We move to Caliofornia together and live a nice life in the city. But.. things aren't that simple. We're... from completely different realities. And right now it's just.. impossible. And.. if you and I being in each other's life.. isn't meant to be right now.. that's okay. Becuase it's not about that. It's about the experiences we shared. The memories we made, what we learned from each other. Believe me, I used to struggle with it. I would obsess over you after I left Oz. Think about you all the time, hating that we weren't around each other. But.. I should have just been.. so glad that I met you. That I got to see you in my life. And now I've got to see you again and it's been the most incredible experience of my life. And if it happens again.. maybe we're not as star crossed as the universe is making it seem right now. But now.. it just can't happen. If it were up to me, we could stay here forever. But it isn't up to me. But I believe that Oz is more powerful than Ozma, or anyone else. And if the outside world is meant to see Oz once again.. it will. But now.. it's time to back to our homes and take with us what we've learned. And try to be even better people than we were before."

Dorothy listened to him very carefully, her mouth hanging open at how nice his words sounded.

She looked over at him and wiped her tears away, beginning to smile once more.

Dorothy was sensitive, but she was strong.

"You're right. You're right, Bryson." She said with a nod. "I.. I really do think even.. if we have the great misfortune of never seeing each other again.. we've formed a special connection that I'll never forget. And that's what matters most." She said as she finished sniffling and drying her eyes, giggling slightly. "I'm a bit of a mess, aren't I?" She asked with a giggle.

"Prettiest mess I've ever seen." Bryson teased as Dorothy giggled again in response.

"I will miss you, Bryson. Dreadfully. But.. I'll be okay." She said with a nod.

"I know you will be. You're the strongest person I know. I wish I could be that strong, really." Bryson said to her.

Dorothy smiled again. "And you're the sweetest person I know."

Bryson simply looked over Dorothy, memorizing her every feature.

"Dorothy.." he hummed.

"Yes?" She asked lowly.

"Do me a favor." He said simply.

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"If you meet someone you really like, don't wait up for me, alright? Don't waste any time thinking about me when you could be living your own life in your world. Either way, I think one day we may meet again. Whether we're together or friends.. it doesn't matter. Because the connection we have is something truly special." Bryson said to her seriously.

Dorothy looked at him and nodded. "Okay. I.. I'll keep that in mind. I want you do the same, though. Alright?"

Bryson nodded. "I don't know how I could find anyone as good as you, but I'll keep it in mind."

Dorothy smiled at him. "I just want you to know that I hope everything goes well for you, alright? I wish your father the best and I hope he overcomes his sickness. I hope your life after this is everything you want it to be and more."

"And I hope the same for you, Dorothy. I don't know what your future holds, but you are such a special person. And I know you're gonna do great things." He said to her. "I.. wanna thank you. For everything you've taught me. And done for me. You've made me the best version of myself and I can't thank you enough."

Dorothy leaned into him. "I'll always be with you, alright? Even if I'm not physically there. I'll be right here." She said, lifting her hand over to touch his chest, touching over his heart.

Bryson looked at her, wanting to just gawk at here some more before he heard someone call out for him.

"Bryson! Bryson! Oh, you're there. Goody." Glinda said, looking up at Bryson and Dorothy. "I do hope the two of you enjoyed your ride."

"It was just wonderful." Dorothy beamed.

"Ozma says it's time for you to go, dear. It's been recommended the outsiders begin their goodbyes, but since you are from.. section 24.. it has recommended you leave first. Oh, I wish it wasn't like this." Glinda said.

"It's okay. I'm pretty much.. ready now." Bryson said, grabbing his backpack that he had laid down in the carriage during the ride.

"A few extra minutes shouldn't hurt. Ozma has allowed me to use the scepeter to send you home." Glinda said, pulling the magic device out from behind her. "I'll leave the two of you alone. I'll be out by the poppies when you are ready."

Bryson was so grateful that Glinda had been so understanding.

Dorothy sighed. "Well. I guess this is it."

"Let's not think of it as goodbye. Because it's not." Bryson said.

He knew there was no way to be sure they would see each other again. But they could hope.

"Let's think of it as see you later." Bryson suggested.

Dorothy looked at him and nodded lightly. "I like that." She smiled.

Bryson suddenly thought of an idea.

He opened up his backpack, digging around and found the notebook he kept for school.

He pulled it out.

He had remembered it was largely notes in his classes, but he probably had some doodles about Oz and Dorothy in them. Maybe she could learn some more things if she kept it.

"Think of this as a memento. My gift to you. Something to remember me by." He handed the notebook to her.

"Oh, my. Is this yours?" She asked as she gently took it from his hands, slowly opening it and seeing random notes he had taken in in Biology.

"This is your handwriting, isn't it?" Dorothy noticed, sporting a wide smile as she looked over at him.

"That's right. I used to use this notebook for.. notes in class. And I would doodle in it or write random ideas I fantasized about. Plenty of Oz stuff in there. Stuff about you, I'm sure." Bryson explained.

Dorothy looked up and beamed. "Oh.. really?"

"Yes. Really." Bryson replied with a smile.

"Oh, Bryson. I love it. This.. this will make it a little easier, I think. Having a piece of you with me!" She exclaimed happily, clutching to the book.

Bryson smiled at her. "Good, good. That's what I was hoping for. I used to use it to write and draw out my daydreams and now you can do that."

Dorothy grinned. "I love it." She said before pausing. "Oh, wait!" She said. "Umm.." she chewed on her lip and reached behind her hair to pull out the bow in her hair, handing it to him. Her hair fell in front of her face and she giggled, letting him take it. "I know this isn't much of anything, really. But.. if you're going to give me something, I want to give you something."

"You know, you say it isn't much.. but that's somehow everything to me." He grinned at her, gently taking the bow and placing it in his backpack. "Having something of yours. Something to remember you by.." Bryson smiled.

Dorothy smiled, lingering on his face. "I don't suppose I can keep you much longer. You've got a family to see, darling."

"Are you sure? I can wait a few more minutes." Bryson said.

"I just don't want to make it any more difficult, darling." Dorothy replied.

Bryson understood. And he had to agree.

"Thank you, Dorothy. Again. I won't forget you and I'll be thinking of you."

Dorothy smiled at him. "I'll.. see you later, then?"

Bryson smiled back. "I'll see you later."

Bryson leaned in and gave her a big kiss on the cheek, lingering against her skin.

Slowly, he withdrew from her and gave her hand a squeeze.

"I love you."

He let the three words fall from his lips like it was completely natural, not even giving a second thought.

Dorothy looked surprised, looking at him with wide eyes.

"I love you, too." She replied, reaching over to squeeze his hand.

Those simple words made Bryson feel as if he was floating on a cloud, his heart heavy.

At the same time, they stopped touching each other.

Bryson slowly began to exit the carriage.

"I'll see ya around, Dorothy." Bryson said, putting on a strong face as he stepped out of the carriage and looked at her.

Dorothy lingered on him before nodding. "I'll see you around."

It was a simple yet beautiful exchange of words.

Bryson nodded at Dorothy, giving her a wave as he slowly began to walk away, walking backwards so he could still see her.

She waved back at him and they continued to look at each other until Bryson had walked far enough away that she was gone from his sight.

He felt like his heart was getting ripped out when she was gone.

His eyes lingered on the carriage, knowing she was still in there.

He sighed and turned around.

It wasn't their fault they came from different worlds.

If that had not been the case, they could be together forever.

And maybe one day, they could be.

But for now.. it was simply not meant to be.

And for the first time, Bryson could accept it.

...

Bryson's heart felt light as he walked towards the Poppy fields.

He could see the white of Glinda's dress and could see a few people with her.

The weight of knowing he couldn't see Dorothy anymore killed him, but he knew the sooner he left her the less he'd have to look and think about her so much.

As he approached Glinda, he smiled.

"Hey, Glinda."

Glinda turned around and smiled.

"Hello, child."

Three smaller bodies turned around and looked up at him.

"Bryson!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Tommy, oh my God!" Bryson exclaimed as he lifted the boy up, picking him up as if he was his own child.

Bryson hugged Tommy tightly, squeezing him lightly. "I thought I had lost you there earlier, buddy."

"It seems he's ready to go home. He misses his aunt, he says." Glinda replied.

Bryson sighed, taking a look around Oz. "Yeah.. I guess it is time for us to leave, isn't it?"

"You're telling me. I wanna go home." Kyle groaned.

"Alright, alright. We're about to." Bryson assured.

Suddenly, Bryson felt a weight on his shoulder.

"Not leaving without saying goodbye to me, are ya?" Finley smirked.

"Finley! Of course not." Bryson said, hugging the winged primate. "You know I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to you. My best monkey friend." He teased. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy. I hope I get to see you again someday soon."

"I hate to see you leave again. I hate this whole portal closing business, trust me. But I think it can get resolved." Finley said with a smile. "High five?"

Bryson smirked and gave Finley a high five.

"Woah, you're the Child of Oz!" Finley gasped at Tommy. "Pleasure to meet ya. You and Bryson both are real heroes!" He said as he shook Tommy's hand.

"Thank you." Tommy said with a smile.

"Woah, a talking flying monkey! I'd love that as a pet." Kyle grinned.

"It's so cute!" Charlotte gushed, Copper still in her hands.

Bryson smiled, letting them admire Finley as Glinda began to ready the scepeter.

"Well.. I gues Finley was the last person I needed to say goodbye to." Bryson said, sadness in his voice. "I'm going to miss you all. But.. hey. Last time I left, I didn't think I'd ever see any of you again." Bryson said.

"Here's hoping." Finley said with a warm smile, which Bryson returned.

"Here's hoping." Bryson repeated.

There was a pause.

"So you are ready now?" Glinda said, her voice also sad as she lifted up the scepeter.

"Yes. I'm ready."

"Wait!" Tommy exclaimed. "If.. if everyone in Oz that's an outsider is gonna be leavin'.. does that include everyone in the Alliance?"

Glinda seemed confused, scrunching up her face, but nodded. "Yes, that is correct."

"Could you do me a favor and bring them here with that stick thing?" Tommy asked.

"Well.. you are the Child of Oz. What's the harm?" Glinda asked as she rasied the scepeter and suddenly, every member of the Alliance was teleported in front of them, all of them looking confused, looking around frantically.

Tommy cleared his throat and began to speak. "Glinda's told me about you guys. All of you. And how you left your homes."

"Yes. We saw no reason to leave. What is the purpose of this?" Quincy asked. "None of us are happy about the portal shutting down. We haven't left here in forty years! We liked it better here anyway. Everyone we loved is gone now!" He said angrily.

"And that's why I think we should turn you back into kids. Like me!" Tommy said.

All the alliance members look confused, glancing at each other.

"Well.. we.. suppose things at home weren't so bad. Perhaps we... took it all for granted." Quincy said. "We've all come to realize that over the years. But.. it's too late now. Unless.. you can really do this."

All the Alliance members seemed excited about the concept.

"You all would be happy about this?" Glinda asked.

Bryson was grinning. Tommy was incredible to think of this. "And we can send them back into the time perioid they went missing in. They can see their families again!"

Some of the members began to tear up.

"We've spent all this time thinking we didn't need our families. But in truth.. we did. There really is no place like home.. wow! Oz did teach us a lesson!" Quincy exclaimed.

They all seemed overjoyed.

"Well.. you'll all be gone so I suppose Ozma won't mind if I give an action with the scepter that wasn't instructed."

Glinda pointed at them and suddenly, in mere seconds, the entire Alliance were all children again.

They all gasped and looked at each other, beginning to hug in an overjoyed manner.

"Now. Children. Are you ready to go home?" Glinda asked as she looked them all over.

They all said they were in excited unison.

Glinda raised the scepeter, pointed at them, and they were suddenly gone from sight without a trace, causing Bryson to gasp.

"Wow.. so they're all in their own time perioids? I can't believe you made them all children!" Bryson said, surprised.

"That is correct. Anything you can think the scepter makes it true." Glinda smiled.

"I guess now I'm ready." Tommy said with a smile, clinging to Bryson.

"Alright. Charlotte, Kyle, stay close to us." Bryson instructed, the two of them walking closer to him.

"Alright, dearest. Before I send you back.. I want to thank you again for everything. Really. Oz will forever remember you."

Bryson smiled at Glinda. "Thank you, Glinda. I appreciate it, really. Thank you for all you've done for me."

Glinda smiled and raised the scepeter. "You are welcome, child. I suppose now.. it is time."

Bryson took a deep breath.

He looked at Oz one last time, the place he hadn't left for over a month, making it even harder to leave now.

It would be hard to adjust to the real world, now. But he could manage.

Glinda slowly lifted the scepeter to the group.

Bryson focused his eyes on the shining greens of Emerald City in the distance.. hoping to see them again soon.

And then, Glinda pointed the scepeter.

And Bryson Scott had once again left his beloved land of Oz.

...

When they awoke, they were laying in some grass.

The smell of it was damp and bland.

It took Bryson several moments to fully awake, but when he did, he knew that smell.

He was back home.

Gone was the brightness, gone was the nice smell, the aroma.

Back in his own world.

He slowly lifted his head up and saw the three kids, including Copper, all standing over him.

"He's up, finally!" Kyle exclaimed.

"Oh.. wow. How long have you guys been up?" Bryson asked as he yawned and lifted himself up.

It was day light out. A nice day, for his world's standards.

"Too long. We wanna go home. No Yellow Brick Road in sight, seems we're back." Kyle said.

Bryson stayed silent, slowly lifting himself up off of the ground and looking around.

He knew where they were.

They were just a few miles away from his college.

It felt so odd being back home.

He wondered what had happened while he was gone.

Nothing too terrible, he hoped.

He reached for his backpack, discarded a few inches from him and dug for his phone.

He dialed up Claire.

"Claire?"

She almost immediately answered.

"BRYSON!" She basically yelled.

"Yeah, yeah, it's me. Listen, I have Tommy with me." Bryson said.

There was a pause on the phone.

"WHAT?!" She screamed.

"Is that Aunt Claire?!" Tommy exclaimed.

"I CAN HEAR HIM! WHERE ARE YOU?! WHAT THE HELL?!" She screamed, sobbing on the other end.

"I'm in L.A, a few miles off of where my college is. On one of those hills." Bryson told her.

She hung up without another word.

Bryson looked down at Tommy. "I suppose your aunt is coming to get us, Tommy!"

"And she's alright?!" Tommy exclaimed happily.

"Yes, Tommy, she's just fine! She's just been worried sick about you, that I know for sure." Bryson replied.

Tommy began to sniffle. "I've missed her a lot."

"She'll be here soon, kid. She'll be here soon."

...

"I can't believe all of that happened." Charlotte said.

"Me neither." Kyle agreed.

"Look, you guys can ask a million questions and we can talk about this all day. But all that matters is this. Did you learn a lesson?"

Charlotte and Kyle looked at each other for a moment in thought.

"Yeah. Yeah we did. That.. things ain't so bad back home. That we should be grateful for what we have. I mean, heck, if I can get through flying monkeys, I can get through my brother." Kyle said.

"And.. and I learned that my parents breaking up.. wasn't my fault. There were so many people back there yelling and screaming at each other for different reasons, but it wasn't nobody's own fault! It was a whole bunch of people's. It's never good to blame yourself when you shouldn't." Charlotte said.

Bryson smiled fondly at the both of them. "I'm glad you both learned a lesson. That's all I would ask."

Eventually, Bryson spotted Claire's car and could see familiar red hair looking frantically.

"Hey!" Bryson said, waving at her.

Tommy gasped and jumped in the air, waving frantically. "AUNT CLAIRE, AUNT CLAIRE, AUNT CLAIRE!"

The car came to an abrupt stop and Bryson could see Claire rushing towards Tommy, sobbing and running towards him, lifting him off of the ground and hugging him tightly.

"TOMMY! I WAS WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE, I LITERALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!" Claire screamed, clearly distraught and over emotional.

Tommy sobbed into Aunt Claire and hugged her back tightly.

...

It took a while for Bryson to explain the other kids to Claire, but essentially mentioned they were in Oz with them and needed to be sent home to Kansas.

Claire drove them all to the police station and Bryson and Tommy walked in with them.

They were there for a few hours, explaining the situation to the cops, that they had gone missing and Bryson and Claire had found them, leaving everything about Oz out of the story.

Soon enough, the parents of Kyle and Charlotte arrived.

The parents arrived and hugged the children tightly, crying for them.

Even Charlotte's seperated parents arrived for her, the girl seeming incredibly happy that they had arrived for her.

It seemed their lives would improve for the better after their trip to Oz.

Bryson was just glad Oz would be able to improve the lives of a few more kids before the portal was closed.

Bryson waved at Charlotte and Kyle, mouthing 'be good' at them.

He gave Claire the credit for finding them when the parents talked with her, not in the mood to engage in conversation after everything he had been through recently.

Charlotte and Kyle promised they would call Tommy and that was that. They left for Kansas.

Now, it was just Bryson, Tommy, and Claire.

The three gave each other knowing looks and went back into the car.

...

In the car, it was silent for a few moments until Claire spoke up.

"I still can't believe any of this." She said.

Bryson realized he still hadn't told Claire about Tommy being the Child of Oz. He decided it was best to just wait a while. She had already had trouble processing everything.

"I've talked to various people.. and when I bring up Oz World.. it's like they don't even remember it. I lost contacts in my phone with people working on the project. It's like no one has any memory of it happening. The fire at the museum is all that's left. But no one even remembers the presentation. It's all so strange." Claire said.

"They used magic to make outsider involved in creating Oz World forget." Bryson said, remembering what Glinda had told him.

"But.. why do I still remember it all?" Claire asked.

Bryson shrugged. "Maybe because you didn't have bad intentions."

"I still can't believe it. Oz being real.. how did you even.. get there?" She wondered.

"It's a lot to explain." Bryson replied.

"Could... I go if I wanted to?" She wondered.

"Well, no. After Oz World, they decided to close the portals that lets outsiders travel there. I don't know if they'll ever be open again or not." Bryson replied.

It seemed it would take a while for Claire to digest the situation.

"Well, whatever the matter is.. how batshit insane all of this is. It doesn't matter because I have custody of Tommy now." Claire said.

Bryson and Tommy gapsed.

"WHAT?!" Tommy exclaimed. He had been quiet the entire time, but now he seemed completely excited.

"Yeah, Tommy. You're gonna be staying with me from now on." She smiled.

Tommy looked overjoyed, his mouth hanging open in happiness.

Bryson had suddenly never felt happier for the boy.

"Woah, that's great, Claire!" Bryson said with a grin.

...

Claire drove Bryson back to his college, knowing he needed to check how everything was, if anyone had missed him or wondered where he was, but not before he asked Claire if he could talk to Tommy for a bit.

Claire agreed and Bryson stepped out of the car with the boy a few feet away in the grass, looking down at him.

"So. You kinda saved all of us, huh, kid?" Bryson smirked.

"Aw, I don't th-"

"Nope. I don't wanna hear that. You saved us and you're a hero." Bryson insisted with a big smile.

Tommy shrugged. "Aww, I don't know."

Bryson looked at him for a while. "How does it feel? Having those powers.. it didn't seem like you were even in control. What went on there?" Bryson asked, amazed, but also wanting to make sure that Tommy was okay after everything.

"It was crazy. When I melted away, I was scared, but then I could feel myself in Oz. My spirit. And.. I formed back eventually and I just sensed that I had all this power! I used it to get Theodora and Evanora back in the scepeter and to turn everything back the way it was, make sure everyone forgot about Oz World if they were workin' on it. All except for Aunt Claire! 'Cause I can trust her." He said with a smile.

Bryson smiled warmly at him. "So you're good, then? And the power is.. gone?"

"Glinda says it only works in Oz." He said.

"How did you know, though?" He wondered. "To use the power?"

"It was weird! I just.. knew. It was strange." Tommy said.

"How do you feel about it now? Seeing Oz? Being there.. and leaving? Knowing you're... the child of Oz?" He wondered.

Tommy shrugged. "It's still weird. But.. in my heart I think part of me always knew." He said with a smile.

"It's strange.. but.. it all makes sense, I think. The whole Oz situation." Bryson said.

Tommy smiled. "Well.. what are we gonna do now? What are you gonna do?" Tommy asked.

"Well." Bryson sighed. "I've been thinking about it. I think I'm gonna drop out of college."

"Oh yeah?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, it's just.. this whole trip has made me realize I've rushed things, you know? I need to take a step back and think over some things." Bryson said.

Tommy smiled up at Bryson. "That sounds like a good idea."

"Well, look. I'd love to keep talking but I'm sure your aunt is eager to have you home. I'll come see you soon and we can talk about everything. Sound good?" He asked.

Tommy smiled and nodded. "That sounds great."

Bryson walked Tommy back to the car and smiled at Claire.

"I know this is all kinda crazy, but we can talk everything over after we've digested everything, yeah?" Bryson suggested.

Claire smiled. "I'd like that."

"I'll call you and come see you in a few days, maybe. I gotta go to Tennessee and see my family for Thanksgiving and everything. But I'll let you know when I'm around." Bryson said with a smile.

"Thank you. I could really use some help getting Tommy settled in when you're back." Claire said.

"Of course, of course."

"Well.. I guess I'll see you later? We can settle everything when you're ready. I need to clear my mind and get Tommy settled."

"See ya later." Bryson said.

"Bryson.. thanks again for all your help. I still don't really know what's happened, but I appreciate it." She said sweetly.

Claire reached over and rubbed his hand, giving him a warm smile before she went with Tommy into the car and drove off.

...

Bryson went back to his dorm, feeling so weird walking along his steps again.

As he walked up the steps, he was surprised to see Donny outside, smoking as he always had.

Bryson's eyes widened. It was nice to see a friend from his home again, even if he had left annoyed at him.

"Donny!" Bryson exclaimed. He almost hugged him, used to the embrace he'd always give to his friends in Oz. He brought a sense of sadness knowing he couldn't do that with everyone in the same way back in his world.

Donny snapped his head back around and gave a shocked look. "Bryson! Where the hell ya been? I figured you'd be off back to Tennessee at this point."

"Yeah, I'm just about to leave. Not long from now." Bryson told him.

Donny squinted. "Where you been, then? I was confused, but I figured ya just left already. I haven't seen you in any class and I haven't seen ya walk up these steps in what? Maybe a month?"

Bryson shrugged. "I guess I've just been cooped up in my dorm." He fibbed.

Donny gave a surprised look. "Wow, maybe I'm becomin' too detached to realize these things. I'll see ya later, Bryson." He said casually as he walked back inside.

It was odd. He missed the warmth of his Oz friends.

He went back into his dorm.

As he took off his backpack, he reached down into it and dug for his phone.

He didn't even know what day it was.

November 21st, 2018.

He still had one day left until Thanksgiving.

...

That night, Bryson dropped out of the school.

He was already failing every single class after being gone for a month, but either way, he knew he needed to take some time.

Like his adventure in Oz had taught him, there was no need to rush things.

He needed to take some time to himself. To help his family.

He ended up having one more conversation with Professor Walker, who was annoyed that he had to teach in a small room after an unknown storm had wrecked his own. Walker asked how Bryson was doing after he ranted to him the night before he went back to Oz. Thankfully, Walker seemed to not remember much of Bryson's story. He said he was sorry for not remembering his problems, but he had been under so much stress over getting a new room and with his old age it was hard to keep track of everything. Bryson was grateful this meant he didn't realize what he had said about Oz earlier, the whole thing remaining a secret.

...

Bryson had searched Google for Oz World. No trace of it was left.

There was news, however, about an oddly colored green tornado in Kansas. It was chalked up to an pattern in the weather and discoloration in the pictures.

...

He took a bus to Tennessee. He could barely afford it, but he needed to see his family.

It was crazy how he went a month without talking to anybody from the outside world and no one seemed to notice. When he had called his mother to let him know he was still coming, she hadn't seemed to realize he had been gone. He couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty knowing how distant he had been.

...

When he left L.A, he took Donny with him. Donny had decided to drop out himself, stating there was nothing left for him there.

Bryson returned home for Thanksgiving at the new house his family was staying in.

It was much smaller, but it was actually pretty nice and just a few miles away from the old one.

Bryson was pleased to hear they had kept his old belongings, which included his old Wizard of Oz stuff.

His father wasn't doing much better, but he seemed very happy to know that Bryson was back.

Even his sister was there, and he hadn't seen her in ages.

When he told his family he would be staying home, dropping out of college to focus on taking care of his family, they were overjoyed.

He hadn't seen his mom look so relieved in his life.

...

He stayed there for a few days. In Tennnesee, with his family in the house.

He eventually called Claire, wanting to check up on Tommy.

Claire said Tommy was good, but missed Bryson.

...

A few more days passed and Bryson had talked to Claire for a while longer.

And that was when he asked what she thought of coming to Tennessee to stay with him.

Her company had been struggling and it was hard for Tommy to stay around in L.A with all the bad memories it had, not to mention it was cheaper to live there.

Claire seemed flabbergasted at the offer, wanting to make sure if Bryson thought was a good idea.

And he did.

...

It took a few weeks, but Claire and Tommy eventually moved down in Tennesee.

From then on, Bryson's days consisted of helping his family and seeing Tommy and Claire in their new house a few miles from his familiy's.

And he had never felt so at peace in his own world.

Often, he'd hold Dorothy's bow in his hand, wondering how she was.

How Oz was. All his friends back there were.

But it didn't haunt him anymore, Oz.

He knew it was real.

He didn't have questions.

He had Tommy, the child of the land with him.

His life had grown quiet and peaceful.

And he had Oz to thank for that once again.

He was only eighteen, and the experience had taught him to slow down. To take things easy. To not over think things. To not rush things and obsess over time.

Oz has made him a better person once again.

He didn't know what his future held.

He just knew it would be okay in the end.

...

One night in Decemeber, The Wizard of Oz had come on television.

Tommy had rushed down the street to tell Bryson out of the sheer excitement he had and it reminded Bryson of himself at that age.

He watched the entire movie with Tommy and Claire, and felt as content as could be.

He couldn't be in Oz now, but it was okay. He was happy here and knew it was for the best. To build his own life at home.

And in the mean time, dreaming of Oz every so often certainly didn't hurt.

He had always been a dreamer.

Nothing would change that.

...

A/N: Well, that's it. The final chapter!

And it was a long one, but there was a lot to cover xD.

Wow, I don't know where I should start.

I had always wanted to write an Oz story, and then I wrote one. And now I've written a second one. Feels overwhelming in some ways, for some reason.

I want to give a massive thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, followed, and favorited. Thank you so much for your support. It's an honor to share Oz stories with you all.

And I of course want to thank dequincyx for the help.

I have ideas and some plans for another Oz story, but I can't promise it'll happen. I never like to make sequels a sure thing and prefer giving the current story a satisfying enough conclusion in case another doesn't end up getting made. There's definitely unanswered questions and loose ends not tied up, so I wanted to leave the story on a note that has enough closure for this specific story.

I also still have the idea of writing a time travel story about an OC or an AU Bryson time traveling to see Judy Garland, although I'm not sure if I would do that first or another Oz story. Either way, I'll let you all know what happens soon. I mentioned this idea back in the first story, but I'm interested in getting it off the ground.

As to when you could expect either of these, I have no idea. It could be incredibly soon or a long time from now xD.

Thanks so much again for the support. It's been a long and great journey.

Have a great day, everyone.

x