Oz: The Great and Powerful Junior Novel Disney Book Group by Disney Press

nothing to stop the two Wicked Witches from ruling the land. Even Glinda was not powerful enough to stop them without the Wizard’s help.
    Standing amid the crowds, China Girl had watched as the balloon lifted up and then watched as it had exploded violently. She clutched the Good Witch’s wand tightly, unsure of what to do next.
    Meanwhile, Finley stood in another part of the crowd. After everything they had been through, it was impossible to believe the fight was over. Although he hated to admit it, he had grown fond of Oz. Losing him was a crushing blow.
    Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Hello, monkey,” a familiar voice said.
    Turning, Finley eyes lit up as he saw Oz standing before him. “Oz! I thought you were dead,” the flying monkey said with hushed excitement.
    “You were crying pretty hard. Is that for me?” Oz said with his usual charm.
    “Some smoke got in my eyes,” Finley retorted. But it was time for them to get back to business. “You fooled everybody,” the monkey said. “That was your greatest trick yet.”
    “That was just the opening act,” Oz said. He glanced over his shoulder and Finley followed his gaze. He saw Knuck and the Master Tinker standing by the Projection Wagon. They were at the ready. “It’s showtime,” Oz said.

    On their pedestal, Evanora and Theodora stood, addressing the crowds. They had dragged a weak and beaten Glinda out with them and had propped her up between the two of them. They needed the citizens to see there was no hope. No one could save them now.
    “Let this be the final word then!” Evanora shouted. “Your prophecy is dead! Like the king that spoke it! And the Wizard who tried to fulfill it!”
    Theodora then addressed the crowd. “And now they’ll be joined in death by dear Glinda the Good!” She turned and looked at the Witch. “Farewell, my pretty one!”
    “Say hello to your daddy for me,” added Evanora.
    A huge fireball formed in Theodora’s hands while blue electricity sparked between Evanora’s fingertips. The Wicked Witch sisters raised their hands and prepared to strike the final deathblow.
    And then…the city went dark.
    The three witches looked at each other, confused. This was not their doing. But then, who’s doing was it?
    Down in the main square, there was an explosion. Bursts of flame shot into the air and then smoke began to billow out over the citizens. There were confused murmurs from the crowd.
    Before the smoke cleared, a booming voice filled the square. “FEAR ME NOT, GOOD PEOPLE OF OZ! FEAR ME NOT!”
    Then, as everyone watched in disbelief, Oz appeared in the smoke. His body seemed to float above the ground, almost transparent. The flames turned his skin a slightly red color and his features wavered in the smoke.
    “IT IS I: THE GREAT OZ!” the Oz hologram said in his booming voice as more flames shot into the sky.
    Up on the balcony, Glinda’s face lit up, her hope returning. He wasn’t dead! He hadn’t left them! And he clearly had some sort of plan. If she weren’t trapped on the balcony and he weren’t just an image right now, she would kiss him!
    Evanora and Theodora were not nearly as pleased. They were angry, and rather confused. “More tricks?!” Evanora cried down. “After everything? How dare you defy us?” she yelled.
    “DARE?” the Oz hologram boomed back. “HOW DARE YOU , WICKED SISTERS! NO ONE DEFIES OZ!”
    “Guards! Destroy him!” Evanora ordered. Obeying the Witch, the Winkie Guards charged at the hologram with their pikes. They threw long spears at the hologram, but they sailed harmlessly through, doing absolutely no damage. Oz let out a mighty roar that terrified the guards and sent them running in the opposite direction.
    “Guards! Come back here this instant!” Evanora ordered, but it was too late. They were already gone.
    “YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD KILL ME? ME!” Oz said before letting out a hearty laugh. “THANKS TO YOU, I HAVE SHED MY MORTAL SHELL AND TAKEN MY TRUE