Dorothy lands back on the Kansas prairie near the rebuilt farmhouse. Aunt Em is overwhelmed with relief as Dorothy runs to her. Toto bolts happily toward the barn, back in familiar territory. Dorothy realizes the Silver Shoes fell off during the return and are lost forever in the desert. She is simply glad to be home, and the story ends there.

Dorothy meets Glinda and tells her entire story, ending with her need to return to Kansas. Glinda agrees to help in exchange for the Golden Cap and explains she will use it to aid Dorothy’s friends too. She reveals the Silver Shoes could have taken Dorothy home from the start, but the journey mattered for everyone’s growth. Dorothy says goodbye to her friends, grateful for what they gained. She clicks her heels and commands the shoes to take her home.

A rocky hill is guarded by Hammer-Heads who slam intruders with extendable necks. Fighting them fails instantly, sending the Scarecrow and Lion tumbling downhill. Dorothy uses the Golden Cap for the third and final time to summon the Winged Monkeys. The Monkeys carry them over the hill into the red land of the Quadlings, then leave forever. The group continues toward Glinda’s castle with fresh hope.

The travelers pass through marshy ground into an ancient forest full of wild beasts. The animals beg the Lion for help against a massive spider-like monster that has been eating them. The Lion kills it by targeting its weak neck while it sleeps. The beasts crown the Lion as their king in gratitude. He promises to return after Dorothy reaches home.

They climb the wall and discover a delicate land where everything is made of china. The locals panic because breaking is permanent or at least never fully fixable. Dorothy learns the china people become stiff and lifeless if taken away. The group crosses carefully but still causes damage, including the Lion smashing a china church by accident. They leave quickly, relieved to be out without worse harm.

A hostile forest blocks their path and the trees physically attack them by hurling intruders away. The Tin Woodman chops attacking branches to create a safe passage. Toto gets grabbed briefly, but is freed quickly. After escaping the forest, they find a tall white wall that blocks the road south.

Dorothy is crushed, while her friends try to think practically. Dorothy uses the Golden Cap again, but the Winged Monkeys refuse because they cannot leave Oz’s land. A soldier suggests Glinda, the powerful Witch of the South, as the best hope. The group decides to travel south together, accepting the risk because doing nothing guarantees failure.

Oz decides to leave Oz entirely and proposes a hot air balloon to cross the desert. Dorothy helps sew the balloon, and the city gathers to watch the launch. Dorothy runs to find Toto at the last moment, and the balloon breaks loose too soon. Oz floats away alone, leaving Dorothy stranded again and the city without its fake wizard.

Oz tries to satisfy the group by giving them symbolic versions of what they asked for. He fills the Scarecrow with “bran new” brains, pins and needles included. He installs a stuffed silk heart in the Tin Woodman and gives the Lion a drink he claims becomes courage once swallowed. The three feel transformed, but Dorothy still has no way home.

Oz delays seeing them again, dragging things out for days. The group threatens to summon the Winged Monkeys, forcing Oz to meet them. Toto knocks over a screen, revealing Oz is just a frightened old man using tricks. Oz admits he is a humbug and has no real magic. The travelers are furious because their lives were risked for a lie.