Hello everyone! Welcome to my sequel to "Phoenix and the Firebird". Originally, these were chapters from the previous story, but after I got started, the story started taking me in another direction. There's a new evil for our characters to face, along with some new allies. Like Phoenix, this story does lean on the darker side and is definitely a high T. As I did before, I will put a little disclaimer on those chapters.

I hope those of you who've read and enjoying Phoenix will enjoy this as well!

Chapter 1: Conversation

Elphie, I swear, I'm going to murder everybody in this stupid place.

Emma lay across the couch, rubbing her temples. Despite the fierce headache that was forming, she did not mind the laughter echoing through her brain.

"Oh goodness, who did what now?'

All of this political nonsense is driving me insane. Nobody wants to just make a decision. They all want to sit around and discuss for hours upon hours. Blah blah blah all talk and no action. They need to do all of these customs and protocol with government from outside the city. All of it is a waste of time. If there are still problems with attacks on our citizens, then we need to get someone out there instead of pissing around and yapping about it.

"I take it Glinda is part of the yapping?"

Emma groaned. I know she's your best friend and she's now my friend, too, but sometimes, she's the worst of the lot!

Elphaba laughed some more. "That most certainly sounds like Glinda. This position suits her. "

We….might have had an argument…

"Oh? And?"

And I miiiiight have magically flung all of the plans and papers across the room. And Glinda miiiiight have put me in time out in the hallway. And I miiiight be there right now.

"She put you in time out?"

It feels like time out.

"I thought you were doing better with controlling your powers."

I am for the most part, but when I get really mad, shit hits the fan. I know you know the feeling.

"Oh, I do. I had a nightmare the other night and according to Rob, I levitated the television."

Emma grumbled. Please tell me your life in my world is less annoying than it is here.

"Well," Elphaba replied, "after many hours of frustration, I finally figured out how to make the TV go louder and softer."

That's an important thing to know.

"I'm still working on figuring out the Netflix."

Well, good luck to you, because once you make that work, it'll suck you in and never let you out.

"By the way, Taco Bell is fantastic."

I told you.

Emma paused for a moment. Hey….how's Rob doing? Is he still distant?

"For the most part. He's still very wary of me. He tries to talk to me, but it feels a bit forced. I don't blame him; I look, sound, and act like his wife but with none of the memories of being his wife. It's probably very strange for him. Don't worry, he's been nothing but kind to me. I actually had to argue with him about whether it's alright for me to clean up the apartment or not."

Pfft, where was that attitude when I lived there?

"He's a decent man. I don't mind him being around. I will say, though, I do prefer the cats."

Don't worry, I preferred them as well. Have you been out at all?

"I've taken a couple walks. I've walked into town, but it was a bit overwhelming. Everything seems so foreign. I know that I look like everyone else now, but I still feel like I'm being stared at, like they know I don't belong. I did find this really nice path around your apartment building that goes into the forest. I try to walk it every day."

I walked that path a lot. It was one of my best spots for taking pictures. I loved it back there. Are there daffodils yet? They're my favorite.

"It's been to hot for them now, I'm afraid. It's full summer at the moment".

It snowed here again yesterday. One of the Gillikin caravans got stuck and we had to rescue them. Well, I had to help the Gale Force rescue them because apparently it snows more in Pennsylvania than it usually does here. They were completely useless in the snow. I basically did all of the work myself. Be warned: you're going to get hammered there in a few months. Ugh…this time thing is frustrating.

"We'll eventually get used to this Emma, don't worry about it. I know you're worrying."

I'm always worrying.

"So," thought Elphaba, changing the subject, "how is Finn doing? How are you two doing?"

Curious, aren't we?

"Well of course, someone has to keep an eye on him."

You're keeping an eye on him from another world. I know I've called you a stalker before, but yikes.

"Oh hush, Emma. I'm a bit protective."

You don't say.

"I know how you feel about him. Sometimes I get these warm, heart-fluttering feelings out of nowhere and I realize they are coming from you."

Emma paused. That's…embarrassing.

"You can't help it, it's part of our connection. I don't mind, Emma. It makes me happy to feel your happiness. We haven't got to experience a lot of that as of late."

I hope you're happy there, or at least, that you will be one day.

Elphaba thought for a moment. "I don't think it's happiness, not just yet. But definitely safe. And content. I slept in a real bed for more than a few days in a row. There is always food. Nobody is looking for me. No one is trying to capture or kill me. It's taking some adjusting to, but I believe I like it."

That makes me happy, it really does. I'm thrilled that you're finally safe, even if it means we're apart.

"Well…" said Elphaba. "I was actually just going to contact you before you got to me. I noticed that my fingertips are starting to look a bit greener than they have been. I think it's finally starting to fade. It looks like I'll be seeing you sooner rather than later."

Oh no, you have to see me sooner than we thought? What a bummer.

"I will let you know when I need to return.," said Elphaba. "In the mean time, keep me posted on everything going on in Oz. I want every detail."

You know you will get it. Emma stopped for a moment. Oh lord, Glinda is dragging me back into the meeting. Apparently my time out is over. I'll talk to you soon.