A Storm, Perhaps?

Evanora was considered to be the most beautiful woman in Oz, surpassing even Glinda the Good Witch. She was most known for her emerald green eyes that glistened when she was amused. When she was born, Emerald City was being constructed. Her father was the master builder, and it is said that her eyes inspired him to build the city out of the finest emerald. When he died, she inherited the keys to the city and the people called her the City Protector.

Now Evanora was not the only child the master builder had, she had a sister named Theodora. She did not have the same beauty as Evanora, but she did have wit. Over time she was tempted by powerful magic and it turned her skin into a horrendous green shade. She was nicknamed the Wicked Witch of the West, and dwelled alone in a large, foreboding castle with her own dark magic.

Evanora did not speak to her sister, instead she chose a life magic free. She dwelled in a petite cottage beside the city gates so she could keep track of the people that came and went. She often sang pleasant tunes that filled the air, and that let passerby’s know everything was alright. Life was simple, but as often as we know, good things can change.

Glinda the Good Witch was walking down the yellow brick road, swinging a basket with glee. Inside the basket was a gift that she knew would make Evanora weak in the knees. After all, they were best friends and Glinda knew Evanora more than anyone. As she approached the blue cottage, she listened for Evanora’s sweet tune, and smiled when she heard it.

Once the two of them said their jolly hellos, they sat down at an oak table adorned with steaming tea and pastries fit for a queen. Glinda smiled and brushed a ginger piece of hair behind her ear. “Evanora you always know how to treat a guest. You act as though you don’t know what day it is. I should be serving you.”

Evanora sighed and played with her pastry that rested on a plate. “I know what day it is.” She rose from her chair and began putting the baking pans away that rested on the stove. “The people in the city insisted on throwing me a gala, but it is unnecessary. The wizard does more than I do, and no one ever sees him.”

”But today is the day you were appointed City Protector!” Glinda said with her eyes wide. “Surely you must realize that not one incident has happened here since then. If you can’t recognize that, then the gift I brought you means nothing,” she said in a teasing tone.

Evanora turned from the stove swiftly and rested on it. “Oh Glinda you shouldn’t-”

”I insist on it,” she said while pulling the napkin away that covered the gift. She lifted out the most alluring pair of sparkly ruby red slippers, and placed them on the ground beside Evanora’s feet. “Now these shoes hold the most spectacular magical abilities, they cater to your needs. Be warned though Evanora, the magic changes with who you are. If you go down a dark path the magic changes with your desires, it feeds off of who you are.” She grinned.”But I highly doubt you will ever change who you are.”

Evanora slipped off her shoes and put on the ruby slippers, admiring how they made her feel. She danced around the cottage, spinning in circles giggling like a young school girl. “Oh Glinda this is more than I could have ever asked for!” She paused in front of her, almost knocking her over in an embrace. “Thank you!” she said out of breath.

Glinda laughed, her laugh warm as honey. “Anything for my oldest friend.”

***

The ruby slippers became Evanora’s most prized possession and she never let them out of her sight. With her new magical abilities she could do whatever her heart desired. She decided to expand her cottage, but soon it became an obsession. The cottage grew more and more large, and soon enough it was the size of Emerald City itself. Evanora knew she needed people to work in her new home, so she asked the Munchkins to live and work for her. Sooner or later Evanora surrounded herself with immense wealth, and the magic of the slippers grew darker like her heart. She forced the Munchkins to work in her home, often never giving them rest. One day she felt the dark magic grow, and she knew that it wouldn’t stop. She remembered Glinda’s warning, and tried to force the shoes off her feet, but to no avail. They were part of her.

She gained the nickname the Wicked Witch of The East, for she dwelled in the East. Her sister, who lived not far, had heard about her shoes and the magical abilities they held. Theodora plotted for days on how to retrieve the shoes from her sister, but she could not think of any way. Maybe, just maybe, it would take a miracle. Perhaps, maybe even a storm.