"How do you feel?"

There was a pause before a bolt of green electricity shot from the bed, shattering a nearby vase. Theodora jumped back, slightly startled, before turning her attention back to her sister.

"You were right, sister. I do feel just as powerful as before," Evanora said, getting to her feet. She looked down at the silver slippers on her feet; they weren't exactly what she had imagined (nor did they match her outfit), but they had restored her youth.

"Now we can begin our siege on the Emerald City."

Evanora looked at the green witch. "Are you mad? You saw what he can do; he is the Wizard!"

"I don't care! I told you my intentions for restoring your power, and for a year I slaved away, taking care of you. Now it is time for you to repay me."

"You saw the results of fighting the Wizard and Glinda—"

"Your thinking is too narrow-minded, my sister. The first time, we were arrogant and naïve, but now we know better. To bring them down, we must first separate them."

"Even by herself, Glinda is not one to trifle with, believe me."

"Only because she got the better of you. It was luck that allowed her to defeat you; she will not be so lucky with me."

Evanora sighed, but she knew there was no changing her sister's mind. "And how do you intend to separate the Wizard from his queen?"

A wicked grin crossed Theodora's face. "By giving her what she wants."

"Are you feeling all right?"

Glinda gave Oscar a smile as she took the cup of tea from him. "I told you, I'm all right. Theodora was not attempting to kill me."

"But she could have." Oscar stood, shaking his head. "Glinda, I know the people of Oz are forbidden to kill, but I—"

"Don't even suggest it." Glinda stood, looking Oscar in the eyes. "I will not ask the people of Oz to commit such a heinous act, no matter how wicked Theodora believes herself to be."

"Believes herself to be? Glinda, she is wicked! There is nothing left."

The blonde sighed. "I don't believe that's true…"

"Glinda!"

The couple looked up at Finley's voice, seeing him approaching with Knuck.

"This came for you," Knuck said, handing her an envelope, which Glinda took with a smile. "I should blow a fanfare," he added, raising his instrument.

"It's from Theodora."

The notes died in the air as everyone stared at the blonde.

"Th-Theodora?" Even Oscar was caught off guard. "What does she want?"

"She's asking me to meet with her."

"You can't go," Oscar said. "It's a trap for sure."

"You don't know that."

"Glinda, don't be naïve! There's no way Theodora would change, not after she dropped a roof on your head."

Glinda looked up from the letter. "When you banished her, you offered her the chance of redemption. You would withhold that now?"

"Glinda, if she hasn't changed by now… I don't think she ever will."

The blonde witch shook her head. "Everyone deserves a second chance… and you do not know her like I do." She refolded the letter, putting it back into the envelope. "I need to be alone."

My Dear Glinda,

I know we have had our differences in the past. I admit, over the last year, I have been rather… disagreeable. But you must understand that what I did, I did to keep my sister alive. While her intentions were less than pure, she is still my family… the only person I have left. Now that her strength has been returned, I hope to renounce my wicked ways… and you are the only person I know who can help me. Anyone else would have me arrested, and Evanora will have me killed if she finds out… so please, meet me tonight in the Enchanted Gardens… the place we first met as children. I hope to see you there.

Theodora

Glinda reread the letter yet again, having lost count of how many times she had done so. She wanted so badly to believe that Theodora meant what she said; that she did want to renounce her wicked ways. But what if Oscar was right? What if it was a trap? Glinda looked back down at the desired meeting place. The Enchanted Gardens… the place she and Theodora had first laid eyes on each other. She could still remember the day well…

"Glinda, don't wander too far."

"I won't," the blonde replied as she left the picnic to make her way through the maze of flowers. For a six-year-old, the bright colors drew her in, and she soon lost her way, though she never worried. A particularly low red flower caught her attention, and she approached, reaching out to touch it gently. It didn't startle her when it moved (they were prone to doing that), but the appearance of a person after that did take her by surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Glinda said, realizing now that the flower was actually the girl's hat.

"It's all right," the girl replied. She didn't look any older than Glinda; in fact, she appeared to be younger, perhaps by a year or two. However, before Glinda could say anything else, the sight of the girl's face caught her attention.

"Are you all right? Your face appears to have a few burns," the blonde said.

"I… I don't want to talk about it."

The blonde was rather concerned now. "What's your name?"

"Theodora."

"That's a beautiful name. Are your parents around?"

Theodora shook her head, and a tear ran down her face, leaving another burn behind. Glinda found it odd, but she brought no attention to it.

"Did you get separated from them? Perhaps I could help you find them," Glinda persisted.

"It wouldn't matter."

"Why not?"

Theodora took a shuddering breath. "My parents are dead."

Glinda opened her eyes as the memory faded. "Theodora…" The good witch knew what she had to do, trap or not. If there was even a chance at redeeming her childhood friend… she'd do whatever necessary.

Oscar had tried to talk her out of it, but Glinda was set in her way, and so now she stood in the Enchanted Gardens, waiting for the arrival of the other witch.

"You're fidgeting. You never fidget."

Glinda counted to three, took a deep breath, and turned around, bracing herself for what she might see. Her eyes fell on a familiar red hat and jacket… and skin slightly darker than her own. The blonde smiled, looking down at her wand. "I suppose I'm rather nervous."

"I don't blame you." Theodora approached, smiling slightly. "I was afraid you might not come." A pause. "Did… he try and stop you?"

"Oz?"

Theodora nodded.

"He asked me to be cautious."

"I suppose I can't blame him either."

Another awkward silence.

"Theodora… do you really wish to change?"

"Well, yes. I said so in my letter."

Glinda gave her a sad smile. "Then why are you lying to me?"

A confused look crossed Theodora's face. "What are you talking about?"

"Theodora, you know I can read people, and see them for who they are… and sadly, I can see that you merely had Evanora cast a spell to cover up your wicked appearance. You do not wish to change… do you?"

An angry look crossed Theodora's face, and there was a burst of red smoke before Glinda was face to face with green. "I should have known you'd see through my ruse easily."

"So your plan was to separate me from Oz then?"

"Just long enough for our infiltration."

"Of the Emerald City?"

Theodora smiled. "My dear Glinda, if I told you everything, the surprise would be ruined."

"Theodora… as much as I anticipated this… there was a small part of me that hoped you'd see the light. I can still help you… if you'd let me."

"Your help?" the wicked witch sneered. "That's the last thing I want. I've come to hate you over the last year."

"Theo, can you really forget—"

"Don't call me that!" A fireball appeared in her hand, though Glinda never flinched. "I am not that girl anymore. She is no longer I, she is too long ago… she is only she."

"I don't believe that."

"What you believe doesn't matter." The fireball dissipated.

"Theodora, please… do not refuse my help a second time. I could not bear it when we were young… and I cannot bear it now."

The wicked witch shook her head. "Save your breath. My mind is set… and our plan is already in motion. There is nothing left for you to do."

"Theo—"

The green woman took a step back. "Farewell Glinda, for I may not see your pretty face again." Another cloud of red smoke and Theodora was gone, a black trail of smoke following behind her broom.

"So, did your act fool the good witch?"

"No… she saw through it, as I expected."

"I don't know why you even bothered," Evanora continued, examining her nails. "You could have separated her from the Wizard without having to waste a perfectly good spell."

"No, there is a point to this." Theodora approached the window, clutching the sill as she looked out. "Because now I have planted the seed of doubt without her mind. Even though I told her no, she still believes she can save me, and seeing me as I was only reinforces that belief." The green witch turned, and Evanora noticed a loose stone in her hand. "I will break Glinda," Theodora said, looking down at the stone and beginning to crush it in her hand. "Piece by piece, until there is nothing left." The stone crumbled, and Theodora let the pieces fall to the floor. "Did you finish your part of the plan?"

"Yes, my person is in place. Now we wait for their report."

"Glinda has returned," Knuck announced, leading the blonde into the throne room. "I should blow a fanfare—"

"Not now, thank you," Glinda said, moving past the Munchkin and approaching Oscar, who ran to her.

"Are you all right? We were so worried about you. You left without saying anything!"

"I didn't want you to try and stop me."

"Well, what happened?"

Glinda sighed. "Once again, she could have killed me, but she did not. Instead, she tried to fool me, though I don't know why; she knew I would see through it easily enough. I believe she summoned me just to tell me of her plan... she mentioned something about infiltration. I fear she has someone in the Emerald City."

"Did she say who?"

The blonde shook her head. "No… she said it would ruin the surprise."

Oscar turned away, wracking his brain for a plan, any plan. "It could be anyone… it would do no good to increase the palace guards."

"All we can do is wait."

"For what? For her plan to take effect?"

"If we panic now, or increase the guards, the people will know something is wrong, and their trust in us will falter."

Oscar shook his head. "I don't like this Glinda…"

"Neither do I… but it is all we can do." The good witch placed a hand on his face gently. "After all, patience is a virtue."

Oscar smiled slightly, but before he could reply, Finley came running in.

"Someone has asked to see you. He says it's urgent," the Monkey said.

"All right. I'll turn on the machine. Everyone get into position," Oscar said before he disappeared behind the curtain. Finley made his way to the arm of the throne while Glinda stood beside it, facing the door. The doors soon opened just as the machine came to life.

"I AM OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL! WHO ARE YOU?"

Glinda just smiled; she was used to Oscar's act, though she had mentioned before it was a little theatric. Still, the people enjoyed it, and it was what they expected.

The visitor stopped a few feet away. "My name is Brr, and I have been summoned to protect Glinda the Good."