Well it too me a while because this chapter alone was 10 pages long! and more in my notes! I finished it at 1am this morning and would have posted it then but my computer died. I will say some of these lines are not mine and are from the musical which kudos to the writers, i know it follows the musical thing of Defying Gravity, but I'm going to try and change it from here on because i don't want to too like the musical which i realized the way i wrote it it was like... :S

warning: loads of foul language

thank you to the people who read it, and those who reviewed get extras. I offered Fiyero back rubs, Galinda, and spell casting lessons with Elphaba last time.. You can still have those but this time I'll throw in your very own Flying Monkey for those long hard days where you just need a lift.(like the Tic Tac men in the advert for tic tac's :p)

This is dedicated to all my reviewies with a very special mention to

ScaryBush (for being my Glinda, and always making me laugh, and also for being one third of our crime fighting trio)

Scarileo (for being the other half of Jess and Jess enterprises and for helping me found the 'We perve over Oliver Tompsett and Ricardo Afonso, Get over It' Club which now at the moment has 7 members, feel free to join us if you want :p)

Riti the wicked troll & Akasharogue (FOR REVIEWING the last chapter)

and to Alicia(don't know her account name, but she is also one third of our crime fighting team) because she is always so supportive and fucking awesome! (she really is!) and because without her I'd probably be lost, coz she's one of my very good mates and she's also Fiyero to My and Laura's Elphaba and G(a)linda(as well as being Galinda when we go into Wicked, which believe me we will) oh yeah and our Role play is also awesome. :p I love her to bits, (but not in a creepy way... we're just very good friends) I'll stop rambling ... read and review... even if it's negative I'm not fussed as long as i know I have people who read.. and like or don't like or what ever... :p

Choices

When one enters a place where vital changes are about to be made, there is always some form of tension that engulfs the air. The air inside the Wizard's chamber was laced with the strongest tension Elphaba had ever felt. The room was dark with only the slightest glow from the walls, which unlike the rest of the city took on a dark red colour making the shadows of objects unseen longer and more malicious to the eyes of the two friends.

Glancing around as her eyes adjusted, Elphaba was surprised to find the room empty, save herself and Glinda. It had never occurred to her that the Wizard would make a grand entrance, although considering he was the most important man in Oz it should have been expected. And only once she had time to reflect on that fact had it really made sense.

"Well… where is he?" Glinda inquired softly in Elphaba's ear, causing her to stiffen, but not quite jump. In truth Elphaba was afraid. More so than she could have imagined possible, her courage had left her the moment she had set foot through the door, and that fact scared her more. Glinda's hand still clutched in her own, Elphaba tried to think of what to say to her friend. It was clear that the Wizard wasn't there. Opening her mouth, no words came, then suddenly a panel on the end of the room gave way, revealing a terrifying head made of pure gold sat upon a thrown of bones.

"I am Oz." the head boomed, making the floor rumble and the room echo. Elphaba pulled Glinda closer to her, unaware that she did so. "Great and terrible"

Beside her the terrified Glinda squeaked. Elphaba remained silent, her body shook uncontrollably, she had dreamed she would meet the Wizard for so long and now as the moment came Elphaba found herself too scared to think.

"Elphie" Glinda whispered in her ear, her voice catching as she tried to remain calm and failed to succeed. "S-say something"

Snapping out of her trance, Elphaba looked to Glinda, her face etched in fear causing Elphaba to regain at least part of her senses, taking a small step forward Elphaba tried to sound confident.

"Elphaba Thropp" she thought a moment then added "Your great and terribleness…" Stepping back beside Glinda for the longest moment nothing happened, when out of the blue a crash sounded from somewhere inside the head as a man's voice called to them. A moment later and out stepped a rather meek looking old man, his long silver coat flowing to the floor, almost as though it were too large for the man's frame. The great Wizard of Oz was barely the same height as Elphaba herself.

"Hope I didn't scare ya" the Wizard chuckled in a strange accent, running a hand through his grey hair as he spoke; the Wizard examined the two girls. "It's just so hard to see people back there….You must be Elphaba? Correct?" he held out his hand in Elphaba's direction to take her own in the custom of kissing a lady's hand as a sign of greeting, apparently unfazed by her verdigris. Elphaba just gazed at his hand for a moment, mouth wide; she couldn't help the disappointment she felt. It was silly, all her life she'd been judged on her appearance in a harsh way and now the Wizard stood before her, nothing like she'd imagined, silly how disappointed by his appearance she felt. She didn't know what she'd expected, but it was not this. Perhaps sensing her disappointment the Wizard withdrew his hand and looked to Glinda, leaving Elphaba to move towards the head.

"Yes of course…And you are, Miss?"

Glinda smiled widely, seeming much happier to see the Wizard was just a man, more so than Elphaba, holding out her hand she bowed elegantly. "Glinda Upland, the GA is ah... silent" this time it was the Wizard's turn to just stare at the hand before him. Coming up from her bow, Glinda's lip wobbled a little, clearly a little insulted but trying not to show it as the Wizard turned back to Elphaba, who laid a hand on the head.

"Uh yes I know it's a bit much, but people expect more--"

"It's a magnificent piece of machinery…" she mused, strange how one thing could make her feel so… stupid. The Wizard placed a hand on her shoulder, making Elphaba look at him instead of the head.

"You have no idea the wonderful things I've heard about you Elphaba"

Elphaba could have laughed. "I'm very pleased to meet you Sir. It's more than an honour" she smiled. It was, he was her hero, she shouldn't be bothered about a stupid thing and he was still the good man who saved Oz a lot of trouble in a time of need.

"Oh my dear the pleasure is all mine" he smiled at her, a strange glint in his eyes caught Elphaba's attention before he could look away. Suddenly she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something didn't quite seem right in that smile, his eyes, there was something behind them that she couldn't quite understand but it made her feel strange, almost like there was something she had to know but was too blind to see.

"Thank you your Ozness, but we've not come here just because you called us—"she began, feeling the need to get to the point before she lost all her nerve because of something she imagined she saw in the Wizard.

"My dear, I am Oz, I know why you've come!" he exclaimed in slight annoyance.

Taking a step back, Elphaba took Glinda's hand as the blonde let slip an 'oooh' of amazement. Elphaba raised her eyebrow as the Wizard continued.

"Now of course if you want my help you'll have to prove yourself" he smiled at her again. Elphaba felt a lump building in her throat, something about the way he looked at her, the way he told her she had to prove herself she couldn't help the fear that creped in, he was the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who knew what he could do to her if she displeased him in some way. What could she possibly do for him?

"Go on then Elphie… Prove yourself." Glinda whispered loudly. Pulling Elphaba in front of her as a make shift shield, long well manicured nails gripped into Elphaba's arms as she did.

"How?" she asked through the pain in her arms, when the Wizard paid her no heed she cleared her throat "How?" she asked louder, wishing that Glinda would let go of her.

"Oh I don't know, some sort of gesture… mostly for show..." The Wizard began to mumble on about different things that soon flowed into something all together in audible. Silently Glinda turned to Elphaba. "Elphie… what's he doing? What does he mean prove yourself?" she whispered in an impossibly high pitched voice.

"I don't know!" Elphaba whispered back, trying to pay attention to the Wizard's ramblings over her friend.

"Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly, making the two jump. Rushing over to the head, the Wizard buzzed into an intercom "Madame" he called.

Within only a few seconds(and to complete shock) Madame Morrible entered the room, her dress fitted like the rest of the fashion in the Emerald City, in her hands she carried a large volume that looked to be one of the oldest books Elphaba had ever seen. Seeing Madame Morrible in the Wizard's palace made Elphaba's head whirl, something about her presence didn't help the way Elphaba had felt about the Wizard, it was too strange that Morrible would be there too.

"Madame Morrible!" Glinda stepped away from Elphaba, standing up straight with a smile, apparently comforted by the presence of the Head of Shiz.

"Hello girls" she smiled as though it were the most natural thing to see her in the palace of the Wizard.

"Madame... What are you doing here?" Elphaba asked her, raising her eyebrow to the older woman. Smiling thinly Morrible glared at her a moment.

"You're not the only ones who have good things coming for them. I've been promoted my dears. You are now speaking to the new press sectary" Morrible did a crazy half turn, showing her teeth like a piranha. The Wizard smiled wider too.

"Yes I thought you'd like to see a familiar face around here, and Madame Morrible has always done such fine work for our citizens…" The Wizard paused, which Glinda jumped straight into, congratulating the woman. Raising his voice The Wizard spoke over her.

"Miss Thropp, I have had the most wondrous thought of how you could prove yourself. Chistery!" he called loudly. From a side door entered a Monkey, his fur ruffled with dirt; he lowered his head to the Wizard. The moment the Monkey entered Glinda gasped, standing up straighter, her hand flew to her mouth.

"It's you!" she exclaimed, causing all eyes to fall on her. Chistery looked away silently. His eyes filled with sadness that Elphaba would never understand, a sadness that was directed at Glinda. After a moment of silence, the Wizard redirected the attention of the room onto himself and the Monkey.

"This is my servant, Chistery, his loyalty to me has been strong over the years, and I wanted to show him how much his work for me has meant"

What the hell is he on about? Elphaba thought confused what could she possibly do for Chistery that the Wizard couldn't? He was the Wizard of Oz for Ozsake. Watching the Monkey's movements, Elphaba couldn't help but notice something about the Monkey that seemed off, as the Wizard spoke; he seemed distant, unhappy, hardly acknowledging that the Wizard was talking about him and things he supposedly wanted. Chistery seemed barely an Animal, he hadn't said a word since entering the room and he hadn't looked like he wanted to. Cocking her head to one side, Elphaba examined the Monkey as he walked using his arms to support his body; he crouched down low and seemed to limp along. Something about him was so familiar in her distant memory. Could he have been the Monkey she'd seen outside Doctor Dillamond's laboratory window? But he couldn't be, he was with the Wizard, and that Monkey had been with the people who worked against the Animals. And the Wizard couldn't support that could he?

"I've seen the way he gazes up to the heavens, the longing in his eyes as he watches the birds fly. I mean everyone deserves the chance to fly… that's where you come in"

"Excuse me your Ozship but how can I do anything about that? I'm hardly the experienced sorceress… " Elphaba tried, she knew it was a test but surely the Wizard would be able to do it himself.

"Oh my dear on the contraire, you could do it. With this" Madame Morrible interjected, stepping forward she held out the book in her hands, instantly Glinda's eyes widened in recognition.

"Is that what I think it is? Is that the Grimmerie? It is, isn't it?!" the excitement in Glinda's voice brought back something that Elphaba had read in class, The Grimmerie the words flew across her mind, the most powerful spell book in the known histories, only the most skilled in sorcery could read from the book, and even then the book proved too hard most times. The Grimmerie was every magical being's dream to possess.

"Surprisingly, you are correct Miss Upland. The most powerful and desired of magical items, I can only read a few spells, and I've been studying sorcery for most of my life--" Morrible stroked the cover lovingly, the deep purple of it glistened with power as she did. Watching Glinda, her eyes wide she was practically drooling, slowly her pupils followed the book as Morrible moved with it. After a moment Glinda opened her mouth and whispered loudly, holding her hands out to the book.

"Can I touch it?" Pulling away sharply, Morrible slapped Glinda's hand away.

"MOST CERTAINLY NOT! This is the most powerful spell book known to Oz, why, reading just one word incorrectly could mean the destruction of life as we know it!"

Glinda quickly lowered her hands, pouting.

"Okay, I get it. No touchy… "After a second the blonde's hands flew up once again "But can I just…"

"NO!" Morrible yelled, moving away Glinda and holding the book towards Elphaba. Cautiously Elphaba placed her hands on the book, suddenly feeling a buzz run through her, she took it from Morrible, who gave it to her grudgingly. Holding the Grimmerie was like holding something that was full of energy, something that was so powerful it almost burnt her hands holding onto it a strange feeling ran over Elphaba's body, through her mind. Something in the back of her head, long forgotten and suppressed by her over the years began pushing forward, waking up from a deep sleep. A tiny smile made its way to Elphaba's lips, a half smile that said so many things. Running her fingers over the Grimmerie Elphaba felt so drawn to the book, like it belonged to her somehow. Blinking wildly Elphaba finally tore her eyes away from the book.

"Wh-what am I Supposed to do?" she asked, clearing the lump in her throat.

The Wizard took the chance to take centre stage again, smiling broadly; he placed a hand on Elphaba's shoulder, leading her away from the ridiculous squabble between Glinda and Madame Morrible. As he did so, Elphaba felt a smile creep across her face, he was the Wizard, her hero and he was now speaking to her as though she were an equal, as though he knew he could trust her. Taking the Grimmerie out of her hands, The Wizard slowly flipped the pages stopping on one that looked to have been booked marked.

"Read from the book. Give Chistery the chance to fly"

Glancing at him again, Elphaba placed the book on the floor kneeling beside it, looking to the Wizard; the question that plagued her found it's way finally to her lips.

"Why me? Why do you need me to read it?"

Smiling again, the Wizard stepped back. "Because you my dear are unique and I would hope that I could give you the chance to fly yourself, but the only way I could be sure, is it you—"

"Read from the book" Elphaba finished, swallowing hard she looked to the page before her, the words appeared to scramble and un scramble before her, moving of their own accord, squinting at the lettering she paused for a moment, making sure she could see the words clearly. They were in some language that Elphaba had never seen before, nothing like Universal Ozian or any of the languages she spoke.

"Don't be discouraged if you cant re—" Madame Morrible began, Elphaba hardly heard her at all, looking at the lettering it suddenly came almost clear, the words seemed to flow in some long chant, almost a song, a music playing through her mind, bringing the words from her mouth as though her mother language…

Glinda watched helplessly, breathless as Elphaba began to chant, a strangely beautiful sound flowed from her friend's lips, words Glinda couldn't understand but words that created a melody of some sort. All around the room the air swirled and tingled with energy. Glinda felt her hair begin to stand on edge, tingling with the air. Watching in complete terror Glinda noticed as Chistery hunched over suddenly as an eerie glow come over the Monkey. Suddenly Chistery bucked out, screaming in pain, writhing where he stood. The Monkey's back suddenly hunched as a lump began to form over it pulling at his skin harshly. It moved. Chistery's screams suddenly changed in pitch going higher than any may have thought imaginable as all of a sudden something ripped, flesh pulling a part; Glinda covered her ears to keep the noise out. Seeing the Monkey's pain, hearing his screams, his flesh rip, Glinda screamed out for the poor Animal, her own voice drowned out by his pain.

Feeling the buzz of power flow through her body, her being, Elphaba continued chanting, the feeling running through her, into everything about her was too much, it was like being with Fiyero all over again, exhilaration, fire, life. Something had been fuelled, something that was awakened before now began to grow it felt good, it felt right, it felt….

Chistery screamed again, bringing Elphaba back, pushing away the other being before it could take full hold, immediately she stopped chanting.

"What's happening to him?!" Elphaba screamed her voice raspy in her ears, Glinda stood frozen with fear, her friend's scream had long since died down in sound but she still stood screaming silently, although the sound that filled everywhere was only the painful wails of Chistery. Looking to the Wizard and Madame Morrible they both stood smiling sickly.

"Something wonderful" The Wizard replied cheerily.

"He's hurting!" Elphaba screamed, she could feel it, she felt his pain, his every emotion. He did not want this; he'd wished to stop this, this mutilation.

"Oh come now, Elphaba don't be silly, he's becoming something new. You've created something no one else could" Morrible tried to wave away the Monkey's pain as he screamed louder and louder.

"NO!" Elphaba screamed, suddenly Chistery's emotions and her own combined became too much, searing pain clouding her brain as Chistery bucked once more as thick long black wings sprouted through his back, painfully ripping his flesh to get through. Almost at once the Monkey began to run around flapping the wings as still he screamed. Elphaba felt his pain begin to dull in her mind as some of the connection was finally severed. Falling forward, Elphaba's head hit the book hard, trying to catch her breath. Anger built furiously in her veins. Slowly Elphaba lifted her head to face the two who'd deceived her, trying desperately to stem the flow of her tears, which fell painfully down her cheeks. She'd known there was something wrong. She'd known and yet she'd still listened and done what they asked to the poor Monkey.

"You tricked me" she spat, struggling for breath "You're not wonderful at all"

The Wizard actually seemed hurt, moving to the gigantic head, he placed his hand on a leaver. He turned to her half-heartedly, a sad frown taking over his face.

"Elphaba, I just wanted to give you the chance to fly, and if that meant making a few spies for the city along the way, well" he smiled "Who am I to complain?"

"Spies?" Elphaba breathed the word. Spies… that would mean… Elphaba sat up straight, suddenly aware that the Wizard was about to do something. Tensing she waited for his answer, the tears still flowing down her face in thick painful drops of bitter liquid. Watching him closely, Elphaba tried to think about her options, her life… everything she'd wanted and dreamed and lived for was a lie, All her work at being someone better, to help make a better, more understanding Oz. all her dreams of finally being… normal, a lie.

"Spies, actually that's a harsh word, how about… Scouts?" the Wizard looked to Madame Morrible who smiled back at him. Beside her, Glinda moved closer to Elphaba, clearly as confused and more as Elphaba was herself.

Shrugging the Wizard flipped the leaver he held down, instantly the room became lighter, the far wall becoming transparent as thousands upon thousands of Monkeys began to sprout wings of their own, screaming in a roar of chaos and pain, throwing themselves against the cage that held them with a fury of blows, each making Elphaba wince with the force that must have been taking them.

"You, Elphaba, have made history of the truest kind—"

"You Bastard!" Elphaba felt her lips whisper harshly her voice lower than before. "You can't read from this book at all" glaring up at him, she closed the book as she spoke of it. Climbing to her knees, Elphaba shook with hate. "You're the one behind it all. You're the one taking away their rights. Destroying lives."

The Wizard held a hand to his head, sighing as though to state the obvious, he nodded. Mocking her "Exactly"

Cocking her head to the side, Elphaba's lip curled in disgust. "You have no real power. You're a fraud, a humbug!" Elphaba screamed to him, getting to her feet, no longer wanting to be in any position to be pushed around.

"But that's the beauty of it!" The Wizard moved boldly closer to her, smiling again "so many doors have just opened for you and your friend here. Elphaba don't you see, you could be big! Loved by all, you could do all the good you've dreamed of—"Taking both her and Glinda's hands, he offered everything she'd dreamed of, everything she'd wanted. And all if she could keep his secrets, she could be a hero to all those who were misunderstood, she could live the life she'd always wanted. But could she go against her beliefs all because she wanted a chance at something greater than herself? The answer came out from her stronger side, the new leader of her mind. The Witch.

"NO!" She screamed, grabbing Glinda's hand in her own and yanking her along after her, she wouldn't leave Glinda to the powers of this evil that hid from Oz behind a false enemy.

"Elphaba wait! Let go, you're hurting me!!" Glinda shrieked loudly, turning her head back to the Wizard "I'm sorry your Ozness, please just understand Elphi--" Glinda cried out as the Witch's grip tightened round her tiny wrist, pulling on her arm harshly as the blonde tried to stop.

Turning round the Witch hissed at her through clenched teeth "You have nothing to be sorry for you little idiot, not SHUT UP and run!" Glinda's eyes filled with tears, which she blinked away angrily, yet without a word she ran after her merely a step behind as they began to ascend a steep flight of stairs, tall and winding, in the glory of a false idol.

Rushing up them, Elphaba finally gained some control, her mind flashed with so many connections she hadn't seen before, connections she should have made. Who else would have the power to arrest Doctor Dillamond? To go around Oz unnoticed and destroy the Animal community without causing a stir? Only the leader of a nation could be hidden enough to be their own enemy.

Behind her Glinda was fuming, the smaller girl ran with her, red faced with humiliation and confusion, somehow she'd lost a heel along the way and was now running at two different levels. And right behind her Elphaba could hear the Gale Force as they followed behind merely seconds away. Putting on a burst of speed Elphaba dragged Glinda behind her with an iron grip.

"Elphie! Where the hell are you going?!" Glinda screamed loudly, her voice noticeably lower as she had finally dropped the Barbie act. "Elphaba!"

To Elphaba's horror, the stair way suddenly gave way to an open space, the door to the room wide open. Stopping abruptly Elphaba began to panic, unsure where her actions had lead her, and hardly thinking as the adrenalin mixed with her anger clouded her judgement. "Oh no" was all that she could say. Stupid of her, she hadn't known where she was going and now… she was going to get herself and Glinda killed. Well, she finally thought, I'm not going without a fight. Rushing around she looked for something, anything to barricade the door.

"Elphaba! Listen to me, this is insane! You can't just—"

"I have to barricade the door!" Elphaba screamed at her, picking up a broom and shoving it through the now closed door lock, praying to Lurline that it would hold.

In that instant Glinda whirled on her, her missing heel making her stand unevenly and lose her balance. After a second she growled angrily ripping the remaining stiletto off her foot and throwing it at Elphaba angrily. The emerald girl dodged it barely as the shoe smacked into the door and stuck into the wood deeply embedded.

"Those were designer!" Glinda screamed, glaring daggers, as though her shoes were the most important issue.

"Well I'm sorry, please bitch some more about your shoe problems, it's not like we have more pressing issues, is it?! " Elphaba screamed back in annoyance at the empty mindedness of the person she called friend. Elphaba knew too well she was well and truly fucked; her temper had gotten her in trouble with the most powerful and respected man in Oz, no matter if he were a fraud, a great big lying bastard, he still had the power to get rid of all those who realized the truth. And right now that was her and Glinda, all of Oz thought he was a saint except them. Who would miss two young girls? A green freak and a blonde ditz, not many people, they could be taken care of with no hassle. Sure Fiyero would know something was wrong and he may have used his title as prince to search for them, but even that wouldn't matter. The Wizard was too powerful. Glinda and Elphaba were no doubt in deathly peril. And all because Elphaba couldn't keep her mouth shut. No Elphaba could… but the Witch…

Frustrated, she threw the damned Grimmerie to the floor; the thing that had started this mess now seemed too heavy to hold. Running her hands through her now lose hair, somewhere she must have lost her hair band; she placed her hat back onto her head and tried to make a plan.

From her perch upon the windowsill to the one window in the room, Glinda huffed loudly, having finally regained her breath, folding her arms red faced, the blonde glared angrily at Elphaba. "I hope you're happy"

Turning round to her Elphaba narrowed her eyes too. "Excuse me?"

"I bet you think you're really clever, hurting all your chances with this stunt, NOT TO MENTION MINE!" Glinda's lip curled with her anger as she spoke, a really ugly trait on the blonde "we were with the Wizard for Ozsake! Why couldn't you have just stayed calm for once? instead of flying off your bloody high horse and ruining BOTH our lives?!" Glinda's hands shot out into the air in a temper that Elphaba had never seen on her before. How could she be so narrow minded? The Wizard was a liar, a cheating humbug, all of Oz had been dooped while the Animal community and no doubt many others had suffered under his reign.

"You know what Galinda, you—"Elphaba felt her annoyance at the popular powder puff deepen as Glinda cut her off loudly.

"IT'S GLINDA! With no 'GA'! God what was I thinking? It's a stupid name, should have never bothered, it makes me sound tacky--"Elphaba rolled her eyes, suppressing a dark laugh.

"And once again we're back on you! arg!" Elphaba turned away, not wanting to look at Glinda for fear of throttling her, but then feeling the pull too strong, she turned back needing to say what she thought. "You know what Glinda, I hope YOU'RE happy! I'm damn sure you're proud of yourself for how you'd grovel to a false idol just to get yourself higher into the chain of a fascist and corrupt society. Frankly it's just like you, fickle as you are!" Elphaba wanted her to see, wanted her to realize her own greed. For that's what she was, a greedy little idiot, who had no care or idea about the things she had that she should be happy for! She didn't deserve her golden platter of wealth and popularity, she didn't deserve her beauty and she didn't deserve Him.

Getting down off her perch, Glinda clenched her fists tightly. "I can't imagine how you could possibly feel proud of yourself after throwing away your one chance to be normal!" Glinda screamed.

"And I don't see how you could be more than happy with yourself to just go back to being a shallow heartless BITCH, all to show that you can and do have everything you've ever wanted and it's still not enough, you still want more!" For a moment the two girls both glared at one another, frustration and anger subsiding into fear as the voice of Madame Morrible filled the ears of each Ozian, echoing throughout the city reaching down to the slums, and up to the higher classed buildings. It wouldn't be long before all of Oz heard of the Wicked Witch who was now the soul enemy of every faithful servant to the Wizard's ranks. Listening to her booming voice, Elphaba felt strangely happy that Glinda was not mentioned. Maybe that meant she would be safe. For everything that Glinda was and had and did Elphaba loved her, she couldn't see her hurt she couldn't let them do that to her. Glinda was far too important to her. Suddenly Glinda latched onto Elphaba's arm, pulling closer to her. The two clung to one another, fiercely. Holding Glinda close, Elphaba felt the blonde tremble, tears staining her pale skin as the voice of the press secretary finally stopped.

Sobbing into Elphaba's shoulder, Glinda took Elphaba's hand squeezing tightly, she pulled away from her friend reaching up she moved a piece of Elphaba's hair out of her face. "D-don't be afraid Elphie" she whispered, sniffing. Seeing the look in the blonde's clear blue eyes, they eyes of her only friend, Elphaba suddenly knew what she had to do. Giving in slightly, she straightened up, allowing at least part of herself to be taken away and replaced by an inner being. They wanted a Wicked Witch. Then they'd soon have her.

"I'm not. It's the Wizard who should be afraid, of me" Elphaba felt a strange calm come over her. Glinda on the other hand was quite hysterical.

"Elphie, please there must be some way to make this right. It's not too late to apologise. Please, you could have everything you've ever wanted, just make them see you're not a threat, please." How untrue, she could never have what she truly wanted, not now. Turning to her, Elphaba felt her new self answer in the way she could.

"Glinda, I cant just go back to believing in him, believe me I want to, I'd give anything to… but I cant, it's not who I am, it's not who I'm meant to be. And that's okay. I know that now…I understand what I've been lead to do"

Glinda shook her head in denial "Elphie, what are you talking about? You're not making any sense!" Glinda's voice trembled.

"I have to do this; I'm the only person who can. Glinda I'm the only one with the power to save Oz. I'm not stupid, I can't change everything, but who says I can't try? I've never belonged and I think this is why" Elphaba's voice grew stronger as she spoke, a decision clear in her mind, looking to the Grimmerie now in the centre of the room, she barely heard the Gale force as they tried to break through the door. It wouldn't take long for them to get through; Elphaba knew she had to act fast. Her path set, she still had to get out alive to be able to do what she had to, to fill her promise, to defy gravity. She couldn't help the smirk that crossed her face, falling to her knees by the book; Elphaba began to chant the levitation spell, for now she knew what it was. Watching her wide eyed Glinda realized fast what she was doing.

"Elphaba stop it! That's what got us into this mess in the first place! For Oz sake stop it!! "Glinda wailed, trying to pull her away from the Grimmerie and failing "stop stop stop!!" Glinda screamed at her as she finished her spell. A dull silence coming over the room, only broken by the noise from the guards, after a moment with nothing happening, Elphaba sat up confused.

"Well?" Glinda asked, "Where are your wings?"

As though on cue, the broomstick that held the lock suddenly spluttered to life, flying out from the lock and into Elphaba's waiting hand. Smiling at Glinda's wide eyed confusion, Elphaba suppressed a chuckle.

"Sweet Oz—"Glinda began as the door began to give way, cutter her off Elphaba sprung into action.

"Glinda, get on." Elphaba held the broom out to her friend. Glinda's face could have proved comical had they not been in mortal danger. "Glinda there is so much we could do together, just come with me. I can't promise safety, but I know that together we could change Oz. You and I, Glinda, we be the most powerful team to grace Oz"

"Elphie…" Glinda moved to the windowsill and picked up something that appeared to be a cloak "You're trembling, here" she placed the old thing over Elphaba's shoulders, fastening it with care and a sad smile, she stood back. "Elphie… I can't. I'm not you. I can't be a fugitive, I can barely be Glinda. Please is this really what you want?"

Elphaba looked from her friend to the broomstick, picking up the Grimmerie she placed it carefully into her shoulder bag, before holding the broom out again. She had to do this. She knew she had to.

"Glinda. I'm so sorry" she whispered, kissing her on the cheek, and giving her friend one last hug. Understanding, Glinda returned the embrace, tears welling again.

Pulling back, Elphaba moved to the window, pushing it wide open, a gust of night air blew through the room, blowing Elphaba's hair out a bit. Taking one last look to her friend, Elphaba stepped out into the night, mounting her broom like some fairytale witch just as the door finally gave way. Before they could grab her Elphaba pushed forward making the broom take her up into the sky, higher, higher. Freedom flowing through her veins for the second time in her 19 years of existence, Elphaba lived, as below her people trembled in awe of her, seeing her for the first time as something more. Had she seen her friend in those moments, Elphaba would have known that Glinda was watching her, holding out to her. But to Elphaba now, there was nothing but the sky….

If only it were that simple.

Note: I do think of The Witch and Elphaba as being two separate beings in one body, just look at No Good Deed (as well as the book) she's eventually her own worst enemy but cant be one without the other no matter how hard she tries.