Um... okay, no excuse for lateness this time. I apologize, but don't worry, I have a few more chapter done that'll be coming out in the next few days. So, I guess that makes up for it? ... No, didn't think so either.

Well, I can't do much more than apologize, so... I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!


"Bloody fantastic…"

Bunny groaned, leaning against the bars of the cage as he sat down. This was ridiculous—first he was stuck babysitting the icy brat, then he got wounded and taken hostage so damn quickly and now he was shoved into a cage in the middle of an empty room like the main attraction of a petting zoo. He dearly hoped that wasn't what this would turn out to be—and his fingers twitched, wishing he had his boomerangs still. Whatever those men in uniform were supposed to be, they had taken his beloved weapons and give them this Wizard character for further inspection.

He decided pretty quickly he hated Oz.

If Pitch wasn't really here, he was going to wring Jack's neck for leading them nowhere.

However, for better or worse, he heard the painfully familiar laugh echo through the room, confirming that Jack hadn't been lying. "Oh, well this is quite the sight," the voice purred, "I kind of thought the fairy would be the first to go, but you?"

"Pitch!"

The Nightmare King laughed, emerging from the shadows and sneaking his way close to the cage, close enough to taunt but not close enough for Bunny to strike the little son of a—

"I must apologize for that," he said mockingly, signaling quickly to Bunny's wound, "Animals don't exactly have many rights here. Did you know they actually work to prevent them from speaking?"

"The bloody hell are ya' talkin' about?"

His eyes narrowed at the nonsense that rolled off Pitch's tongue. The Boogeyman just grinned, however and began to back away from the cage—chuckling as Bunny lunged to try and grab him.

"When I break out Morrible, I'll be sure she explains it to you," he sneered. "For now, though, I have a Wizard to overthrow. Farewell."

Bunny could only watch as Pitch disappeared in the shadows, growling briefly. Something was going on. He knew that now. Pitch obviously knew more than they did at the moment, what could very well be a deadly advantage, and he could only pray to the moon that Jack and the others were figuring something, anything out about this place.


Jack came to a sudden halt—what was he doing?

Bunny just got hurt and dragged off somewhere and he was running away? Sure, perhaps finding the group and telling them what happened would be a good idea, but he had no clue what was going to happen to the older Guardian if he stalled. He swung his staff in frustration, shooting ice out in spikes along the middle of the forest. But where would he be, anyway? Sure, they dragged him off to towards the center city of Oz, but he could be anywhere in that place! Letting out a brief sigh, Jack's eyes narrowed and he turned around, flying back to where he fled from.

He wasn't helpless and he wasn't weak—he could do this.


"Repeat after me… Di-lla-mond."

"Baaaa~"

Shell let out a huff of frustration—the Wizard had definitely set him upon an impossible task. First the man betrayed everything in asking Shell to teach this Goat how to speak again, yet the chore itself couldn't be done. An hour of nothing but stress and confusion, Shell was ready to give up.

"No, repeat each sound, okay?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. "Di…"

"Baaa—,"

"Oh, just forget it!" Shell hissed, standing up and storming out of the chamber. How pathetic he must have looked—talking to an Animal who lost its speech, expecting it to talk back. Was this just an example? Was the Wizard using him to test if it could be reversed? Scoffing slightly, the young man marched his way to the throne room, kneeling down as he and the Wizard's gaze connected.

"Your Ozness…"

"Shell?" he asked, tilting his head curiously. He signaled for the guards to leave before continuing. "I thought I asked you to—,"

"Forgive me, your Ozness, but the task seems impossible. I cannot seem to even get a sound from him."

"I see…," the Wizard mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Shell didn't look up, his eyes cast down at the floor. He felt somewhat numb from the realization with Lady Glinda—his sister hated him. She must have, that was the only answer he could think of as to why she cut him out of her life.

"We'll have to ask her then."

"If I may ask, who is she?"

The Wizard seemed uneasy for a moment, shuffling in his throne. Was this the right thing to do? He couldn't believe he had actually thought it would work, but he prayed it would work.

"I think it's time for a truce in Oz…"

"A truce?"

"Yes," the Wizard said hesitantly. "Shell, I need you to escort me somewhere… we're going to find the Wicked Witch of the West and end this damn battle. I'm sick of fighting, and I'm sure she is too. She can have Dr. Dillamond and she can teach him to speak if she wishes, but it's time for some peace. And a truce seems like the only way to truly accomplish that for both. Don't you agree?"

Shell's throat was dry, his lips moving wordlessly. Why was he scared? Why did the shadows seem to laugh at him and why did he feel sick all of the sudden? He was going to find Fabala after all these years. So many worst case scenarios flashed through his mind and before he could stop himself, he bolted from the throne room. He vaguely registered the Wizard calling after him, but he couldn't find the reason to stop.


"It's almost time," Pitch mused, gazing out of the bars of the cell. Morrible smiled in spite of the situation, standing up and looking at him. "What's the plan?"

"I overheard a conversation," he explained, "The Wizard plans to leave with a guard to go search for the witch." Morrible raised a brow, "Why? He'll never capture her on his own."

"Actually, he's planning on a truce with her."

"He's weak. So pitifully weak," she hissed. Pitch chuckled, continuing. "When he leaves, I'll help you break free and you'll take over. One of my enemies is already here. Lure the rest of them here with him, and then destroy them all."

"And what about my enemies?"

"I'll hunt down the girl and the Wizard in the meantime," Pitch explained. "And when I dispose of them, the deal will be complete."

"It's not that easy," Morrible huffed, "Elphaba is quick and cunning—there's a good possibility she can evade you too." But the Boogeyman merely laughed, "Oh, she can run from me, but don't forget—I know her fears. And I know how to use that to my advantage…"

"Just be sure she won't escape," Morrible hissed, ushering Pitch back into the shadows as the guards walked on by. She flashed them a sickening smile as they glared at her, before leaving to check on the other prisoners.

How pathetic she must have seemed, sitting in a cell, and seemingly talking to herself—she didn't risk them finding out about the deal with Pitch—but they would all pay soon. When she had power, they would all be sorry.

She would make sure of that.


Well, this was kind of a filler chapter. Next one is eventful, I promise. Reviewers get virtual cake. c: