Elphie

Fiyero and I took off at a run, leaving Oz behind forever. I looked over my shoulder for one last glance at Glinda and felt a bout of guilt at her sweet face that was full of sorrow. When we were far out of sight, I finally stopped to check our surroundings. We were in the Forest, close to the Emerald City, but far enough away to get our bearings. Identical rows of houses were on either side of us, each of them with a different color roof to determine that person's social standings in Oz. Green represented the richest of the rich, like those who live in Emerald City, while blue represented the lowest, the Munchkins. We currently stood near a small house with a blue tiled roof and no glass in its windows. I felt it was safe to talk here, and let go of Fiyero's hand.

"I hate having Glinda thinking we're dead," I whispered, turning away from Fiyero. He took my chin and tilted it up into his gorgeous face. His eyes shone with unshed tears. I reached up and gently stroked his wet cheek. I hated seeing him in pain. His pain hurt me more than my own, more than he would ever know.

"Elphie...you know we can't." Before unbearable emotion could overtake me, I quickly shook my head and grabbed my spell book, the Grimmerie, from his other hand that dangled loosely by his side. I had found it at the sight of my 'melting' shortly after everyone had left. Glinda had probably put it there, since she was the last one with it. Then I crouched low to the ground, like I had practiced dozens of times. The tattered spell book lay on the yellow brick, dingy and unattractive compared to its bright and manicured surroundings.

"There has to be something I can do to help her. She looked so miserable when we left. I just want her to be happy. You would at least want that for her, right?" I didn't bother to wait for an answer.

Ignoring his protests, I closed my eyes and concentrated on what I wanted. My green hands were a blur as they tore open the book and flipped through the pages faster than thought possible. My mind processed the garbled unknown language of its own accord, and I began to chant words I never even understood. The chant grew faster and faster, emphasizing my eagerness to end the uncontrollable, unknown, and mystical process. My gestures grew wilder and increasingly dramatic, with my arms even spinning around like pinwheels over my head and around my hunched, skinny body. Fiyero watched me with a sort of strange, yet frightened, fascination. Lightning sparked around my cape, nearly setting it on fire, but I knew I would not burn. Colors snaked in and out of my vision: reds, blues, purples, and yellows blending together in unnamable combinations that vanished before I could fully register them.

Finally, the spell was complete. Hand in hand, we left the Forest and sped off to the glistening sea in the distance. That same evening, we made camp by the shore. While Fiyero started a fire, I carefully studied the map of Oz in the glowing sunset. We were at a beach close to what used to be Nessarose's castle. I judged the distance between there and the sea, wondering if I could fly my broom that far. Fiyero did say we weren't allowed to tell her we were alive, but, I mused, what if we were not the ones to tell her?

A sudden spark and crackle from the pile of wood signaled Fiyero was successful in starting the fire. I shuffled toward the warmth, still deep in thought. I barely noticed when the sun finally set, leaving a deep purple tinge to the navy blue sky. Stars began to appear when Fiyero at last couldn't stand the silence anymore and started to say something, but the look on my face quieted him once more. It wasn't until he finally dropped off to sleep that a thought struck me: poor Boq, now made into a tin man, in Emerald City, who happened to have connections with Glinda, and ideas began to dimly stir in the back of my mind. I grabbed my broomstick and without a second thought, quietly took off. Knowing this would anger my fiancé if I didn't tell him anything, I left a note for him. However, the very next morning, Fiyero's cry of anguish could be heard all over Oz.


Glinda

"Oh!" I stumbled, nearly falling to the ground in a face plant at the sound of pure and tortured agony coming from a distance. The voice sounded awfully familiar, and I kept coming to the most impossible conclusion, the one that made sense. Madame Morrible's adopted daughter, Lexi, gave me the most curious look. Madame Morrible knew that one day she would need a successor in rule, so she adopted Lexi several weeks after she was born.

"Is something wrong, Your Goodness?" A troubled look crossed her heart-shaped face, genuine concern appearing in her bright green eyes. Lexi is my advisor, and to many major events with me, such as today's event, Glinda and Lexi Appreciation Day, or GLAD for short. I find it nice of the Ozians and Denizens to create a whole day specifically to be nice to us. After all, we hadn't done much, except perhaps announce the death of Elphaba, or as they called her, the Wicked Witch of the West.

"No, everything is fine," I replied, still confused about the recent occurrence. For what seemed like the thousandth time, I searched the empty skies, somehow hoping that if I simply thought of her, my one good, true close friend, she would appear and make everything all right again.

Lexi had long since accepted this unusual behavior and said nothing. Everyone was still in doubt whether the Wicked Witch of the West was really gone, but after giving the Ozians my story, most everyone had accepted it and moved on by the next morning. Yet I had my doubts, and kept searching, for the good of my people, everyone had assumed. One dark, ominous thought remained: It just couldn't be possible for a sorcerer, good or evil, to be melted by water, could it?

I marched onto the stage, madly waving my hand like a queen. My golden crown glinted in the sunlight and glowing smile shone. All thoughts of Elphie quickly faded as I scanned the crowd of people, stalling for time. My husband should be here any minute now, I thought. I knew I should be concerned, but then, I felt the strangest sensation, almost as if my emotions were put into hyper drive, and had gotten scrambled in the washing machine. I stepped up to the emerald podium and set up my note cards. Fifty pairs of eyes locked on my face, and tensions rose. Nobody had the slightest clue on what I had to say. This assembly had been kept top secret until the day before, and even then, very few details were given out. I didn't even know what the planned project was.

"Friends, family, and strangers," I beamed at my devoted audience.
"Lexi and I appreciate all the love and support we receive from each and every one of you, and in return, we have decided to open up a new project that is entirely top secret until my advisor gives me permission to discuss it. For now, please enjoy the wonderful refreshments provided and anticipate the wonderful gift we have planned for the Land of Oz."

As I finished my detail-lacking speech, a squeaky, rhythmic, clanking sound could be heard. Clank! Clank! Shock crossed everyone's faces as they took in Boq's appearance. He was made entirely of tin. In his hand was a black, pointed hat. Everyone gasped, including me. I thought he would never show up.

"Glinda, my love. Come here and I'll show you why I showed up late to the ceremony." Boq called. He held out his hand: an offer. I took it, and we fled to a private place where we could talk. We went to the Emerald City, a familiar landmark and an easy place to meet.


Fiyero

My beloved Fiyero,

I have gone to find a way to make Glinda happy again, because I can't stand risking another mistake with my sorcery, like with Boq. I've lost too much to take any chances with my magic that are to any degree doubtful.

I am so sorry, please forgive me,

Elphaba

Over and over I read this letter in my frantic search for Elphaba. I was now sprinting over a narrow wooden bridge that had rotted in some places. In the distance I could see the Emerald City. After what seemed like hours of tearing through brambles and broken branches, the city finally looked closer than it had that morning. I stopped to catch my breath and was leaning against a tree when he noticed a familiar-looking broom; Elphaba was near. I hid behind a bush near the bridge and waited for Elphaba to come out of her hiding place. The minutes ticked by. I shoved the letter into my pocket. Finally, she came out from behind a tree, looked quickly around, and then started to board her broomstick. I put the note away and jumped out from my bush and yelled, startling her.

"You are making a stupid mistake!" I shouted. "Think about how afraid everyone is going to be. Think about how this is going to mean being in hiding again, always trying to avoid capture. Most importantly, think about us. Don't you care about our safety? Don't care about living in peace, and being happy? Or does that not matter to you anymore?" Elphaba bit her lip, hesitating for several minutes, before answering.

"Of course I care about all of that, my sweet. It's just that, we all depend on Glinda's happiness in order to survive. I'm sure you know that. If Glinda is happy, Boq is happy, because he loves her. If Boq is happy, Nessa's spirit is happy, for she adores him. Nessarose, dead or alive, as long as she smiles, I shall smile too. You absolutely live to see me happy, and if I'm happy, you're happy. Isn't that right? So, you see, in order for this world to function, we all need our precious Glinda to stay her normal, bubbly self."

"Well, when you put it that way...Go ahead. Do your thing. I won't interrupt you." Elphaba nodded, and then took off into the late morning clouds, her cape flowing behind her. I watched until she was a mere black splotch in the sky, and set off for the Emerald City at a run, hoping I wasn't too late to do what I needed to do.

I approached the city gates. Two guards shouted after me. Obviously, they had heard about my involvement with Elphaba and I am now a fugitive too. I ignored them and leaped at the gates and began to climb over the Emerald City border. The gate poles were slippery, and I began to slide back to the ground. The guards made a grab for my legs, but missed by inches. A sudden flash of black and green, and I was suddenly lifted over the gate and onto the ground.

Before I could fully comprehend what had just happened, I discovered a crowd of Denizens making way for somebody. Intrigued, I stepped forward to blend with the taller Denizens, not a difficult feat for someone my height. I noticed Glinda at once, followed closely behind the one he knew was the true traitor: Lexi Morrible. Her eyes skeptically darted in a different direction every few moments, never focusing on one single thing too long. They passed the throng of people quickly.

"Are you sure about this?" Glinda asked someone. A too-familiar voice answered back quietly. I was surprised to see a ring on Glinda's finger, but even more surprised to see whom she had married to: Boq, an old school friend of mine. We had been close, but it looks like I had missed a lot in the past few weeks. I regret not going to the wedding, even though I never knew about it and was apparently never invited.

"Why wouldn't I be sure? I can't doubt what's in my heart." He gently caressed Glinda's cheek, and then motioned her to follow him. At this, Lexi responded to some unseen signal and headed toward Glinda's castle sneakily, as if she was trying not to be seen. Without thinking, I followed her. Since I had the uncanny ability to be totally silent even when running at full speed, Lexi did not notice her pursuit, but she did not slow down. I continued to stay several feet behind her so she couldn't see my shadow. Suddenly, she stopped, and I nearly ran into her, but managed to keep my balance.

"May I ask why you are following me, Fiyero?" Lexi asked without turning around. In a panic, I crowed to the sky, a signal Elphaba had taught me to use when I was in danger. Lexi's eyes widened as she took in the unmistakable image of the Wicked Witch of the West on her broom, the one everyone thought was dead.

"Security!" Lexi shouted. "Security! The Wickedness has returned!" Guards rushed around her at once, but they were too late. We were already in the air, rising rapidly away from the city.

If anyon wants to know where I'll be posting the rest of the story, keep checking under the replyies for "Wicked Rises Again Chapter 6"