Complementary Colours

"The actors are placed downstage left—a strong visual position onstage—with the two women standing face to face, close and holding hands, singing to each other. The visual image stresses their complementary differences, as Glinda has blond curls and wears a white, sparkling ball-gown, while Elphaba, invariably played by a taller actor, is dark, simply attired in a close-fitting though unrevealing black dress, and, of course, green-skinned. The women sing to each other with passion, longing, and appreciation, and they end the number with a teary embrace."

-Defying Gravity: Queer Conventions in the Musical Wicked by Stacy Wolf


Before I start, this fiction revolves around the Ozian Army and not Glinda the Good or Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West. They are important characters, but it will not revolve around fluff of both of them or fluff of anyone. There will be fluff, but I don't plan on making that the main thing.

M for violence, potential explicit scenes and language.

Disclaimer: I do not own Elphaba Thropp, G(a)linda Upland or any of the Wicked characters that might appear in this fiction. Most characters and scenes are original and are not as accurately connected with how the book has described them.

This story is set years after Elphaba "died". It is in Musicalverse, so whatever happened after that in the book holds little significance. There might be little reference to the book, but that will merely be for aesthetic purposes. Though, I will be using some nicknames given from the book.

Please bear with me. I am not a writer; I am more of a visual and vocal artist. Though I do love writing, I am more accustomed to literature role-playing where the plots of certain threads aren't planned and are highly dependent on another person. You can say that this is probably my first solo piece and first piece in multiple chapters. My role-playing level is intermediate, although it is highly based on my word per post average. There will also be grammatical errors mainly because English is not my native tongue.

Thank you very much for reading. It is well appreciated. I hope you enjoy the story, though it is a very slow in progression one.


Chapter 1

Inside the Bubble

I was panting so heavily by this time. My heart feels like it's hammering through my chest and the heat is rushing to my head. Oh Oz, I have been running around the Emerald City garden for quite some time now and my heavy steel uniform doesn't help me much; not at all under this sun. What was she thinking anyway? Running off like that and not saying a word to anyone? I mean, she's Glinda the Good! Something might happen to her!

I see a vine-covered wall before me, a dead end. I cursed this maze of a garden as I went back the aisle to look for another path. Is the world going against me or maybe her Goodness just didn't want to be found? Ugh, that little girl. Now I know why General Andrea retired from this position only after a few months! Well, she's getting married and is with child, but still! She could have left for maternity leave.

Finally, I see an opening to the centre; to where my Goodness is hovering at. Honestly, if it wasn't for the glow on her bubble, I swear I would have forced myself to use magic to track her down. I am not gifted at that you see, which is why I'm a defence officer and not a sorceress. I approach the exit and I see her situated above the fountain. As I pass the final walls, I stop immediately to catch my breath. All this running couldn't be healthy anymore!

Getting some significant breath, I look at her; still tired and my heart still pounding through my chest. She seems to be observing the people. What else is she supposed to do? That's her job as it is my duty to be with her at almost all times, guarding her right by her side. I notice my dog finally catching up with us, stopping just beside me.

Glinda the Good finally feels our presence; she turns to face me with that gleeful smile of hers and waves her hand at me. I feel calmer now. Her smile calms everyone down.

"Why, hello Lieutenant General Troian." She greets me, still smiling.

"Hello? That's all you say to me? You run off without notice, bringing me to an emotional and mental turmoil as I frantically look for you in this green place and all you say is he-"I suddenly realize who I am scolding. Holy Oz. I'm so stupid! I recollected myself for a second and immediately knelt down on one leg. "My Goodness." And I intended no pun with that.

"Hmhm!" She hummed her giggle and brought her bubble down. "Oh you, you worry too much of me. It's almost adorable, just like your little lap dog." Yes, my dog is merely a small fluffy toy-sized little thing and just an animal; but he's very efficient in searches and I believe whole-heartedly he thinks and understands like an Animal. He just can't talk.

"Please do not compare me with my partner. As much as I love him, I am not a pet." I say in a very stern tone, still kneeling. I hear my dog growl a little and I know it's a reply to my remark. Also, with that muffled growl, I was certain he also had his face down on the ground doing his version of kneeling.

"Well, least I'm not shorter than myself." She said giggling.

Yes, I do admit I am just a little, tiny bit, shorter than her Goodness; but she is in heels and I'm no Munchkin! I've always lived in Emerald City and my parents are Gillikinese. And yes, I do believe I am a legitimate child since I very well look like my parents and my cousins. I am just vertically challenged, one that acquired the recessive gene my family line apparently possesses.

"Rise you little soldier." She giggles again. "You're just making yourself tinier. And please, no one is watching, you don't have to do that!"

I didn't realize she was approaching me until I saw the linen of her ruffled blue dress and her hand extended at me. I didn't take her hand, I am ordered not to touch her goodness unless it is needed. Standing up, I brushed the extended culet of my armoured uniform.

Unlike the male version of my steel armour, the fauld and culet were designed to look like a dress. The division of the mail and the fauld was situated higher, right below our breasts; emphasizing our pair, even. It was made so if we were called for light duties when we are with child, we could still easily fit in the uniform without problems, least for the early months. The plackard is also thin enough and made to expand when needed. Of course, our uniform needed a significant amount of steel compared to the male's uniform, but it isn't exactly heavier or weaker. We also require no helmet, but we wear this thick steel headband which I usually put behind some locks. I don't have bangs, but it looks better that way.

When I finished dusting myself off, I looked up; I didn't expect her face to be right in front of mine. I kept a neutral look as I stood in attention, but my heart is pounding yet again. I haven't been this close with her Goodness like so… It was very awkward for me; but I can't help notice her smile. It isn't as genuine as usual.

"Thank you for caring about me." She hugs me.

Ugh, fine. Fine. I forgive you, you perky little witch. I hate it when she does this. I get so angry, but she calms me down with her smile and touchiness; it frustrates me so much! It happens all the time! I don't even know how to feel about this situation anymore. I'll just calm myself down and let it go. Breathe, Troian. Breathe. I let go of a sigh. "You shouldn't really go alone without notice, your Goodness. If something happens to you, I'd be the first one to have her head off."

"Hmhm! Oh you!" she giggles as she pulls away from me. "Nothing will happen to me, silly. Everyone loves me!" She emphasizes on the 'eh' in everyone and turns around, her dress follows making graceful waves.

"Too much of anything is never good, my Goodness. And with the rumours of the Wicked being sighted, we can't start being compla-"

"Elphie won't do anything to me." She cuts me and stops her turning abruptly; her tone changes drastically. "And she's gone. Trust me." I can sense pain in her words.

"We can't be certain." Why must you be so stubborn, my Goodness? And even if the Wicked Witch isn't here, there are still a million others out there. We don't know their intentions.

She looks at me and gives me a smile. There's something wrong with her Goodness today. I… I feel guilty for whatever I said and thought about her moments ago.

"Hey, let's go home now." She tells me. "Oh! We should ride my bubble!" She giggles and her mood suddenly changes yet again. "Run along now, little soldier."

"As you wish, my Goodness." I agree, genuflecting. "Hop on, Troy; let's go." I call for my dog and he jumps right into my arms. We walk nearer the fountain as she casts her bubble. Finally, this exhausting search ends.

Once she casted her bubble and we were in it, I couldn't help but feel this intense emotion shrouding around us. It was quite like a feeling of uneasiness and was very unusual. Her Goodness naturally radiates warmth and happiness, but today, she had none of it even if she tried. Was it maybe because her Goodness wasn't as talkative? She usually never stops talking but, like I said, today seems so very unlike her.

There's this strong want in me to ask her what's wrong, but I don't want to pry with whatever business she has. I am not here to make friends with her; I am here to defend her no matter what. To protect her from whatever harms that comes to her… but isn't this harming her as well? If her emotions are so strong that it starts to radiate negativity, doesn't that mean something is bothering her so much? Is it also my duty to protect her from whatever makes her feel bad? Clearly it's not in my contract, but it didn't state if I should just defend her physically or if I should also consider her mental and emotional wellness.

"What's the matter, my Goodness?" I asked having decided that I don't care if it's not part of my contract; let's just say I'm devoted enough to extend it. And please, I've been with her for about a month now, it's time I tried to get to know her a little more so I can defend her more efficiently. Consider this as a bonus from my service.

"Well… I- I don't really know." She replies, looking down. "A few years ago, while I was still in Shiz, I didn't think about life an awfully lot. I had everything set for me by my dearest Momsie and Popsicle and I got everything I wanted. But now…" she sighs. "It's another once upon a time, I guess… I just didn't expect things to go this way. There are pecularious things I regret very much."

I didn't know how to react to that, it was almost like she's narrating my whole childhood. Like her, my parents had set everything for me and I got whatever I wanted. Of course, we all don't really know what would become of our future, but I myself made it a point to make sure things happened as we wanted it to happen. Call my family a group control freaks, but it's all so true.

Maybe it's because both of us, her Goodness and I, are our parent's only children. The only difference between us is the fact that I've always dreamed to be part of the Ozian Army like my parents and here I am. Although not serving the Wizard since he's in an indefinite leave, I'm perfectly fine under the service of Glinda the Good. That, trust me when I say, I regret nothing of my past.

"If I could just go back and change everything- I just don't know what to do anymore." I notice a tear drop on her hand. "Right now I've finally liberated the Animals from oppression they've experienced under the wizard, but still… there's something missing."

Love.

"I… well, yes. I guess you're right, Troian. I do feel quite Lonely." Wait, she heard that? I didn't mean to. Oh dear.

"I- I'm sorry, my Goodness! I didn't intend to say that!" I explain to her as I try to make up for my ruthlessness.

"No, no. It's true." She wipes her tears smiles. "Everyone knows me, everyone is my friend and everyone loves me; but do they really know me?"

Yet another truth from her Goodness. I myself am a very reserved person, but I do love the company of people. In fact, being alone exhausts me more than anything else. Listening to others and being of help is probably what my passion is, it is why I decided to join the force; to be of service. But being so… extroverted, I do feel like not a lot of people really knows who I am.

Before any of us can say any more, we arrive at the Emerald Palace.