(AN: Horay for three scenes from the musical rolled into one chapter. Now I've got to make them work and sparkle without song. I don't know, it just doesn't feel right. Maybe I will, I don't know.)

(Thank you, Jazz, for your review. Although, as I may have stated before, People of Oz are not a metal band. I've just chosen those songs because, as a metal musician, that's about all that I know [lol. Plus, as Geezer Butler said, not a lot of bands since Bob Dylan wrote songs about politics and current events back in the 60s and 70s]. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that pop doesn't suit Elphaba that well, I don't know.)

(Hopefully I will get to update soon, as I'm borrowing a computer and my presence on it is not exactly welcomed)

On My Own

They were now on their way to the Emerald City! The letter Galinda had received had money for all of them to buy tickets at the Frottica train station that would take them all the way to Oz's capital. Though tensions were still high and most of the band were a little on edge, they were also excited to be going to the one place in all of Oz that was the most talked about, the most envious, the one place someone needed to be in order to be considered a 'somebody.'

The Emerald City.

Once again, Elphaba had stowed Ramon in her suitcase. He was now outside and sitting next to her. They were within sighting of the Emerald City. The green glow in the distance was now getting brighter and brighter. Despite lack of sleep and general weariness (they had not stopped at Shiz or Dixxi-House when the train paused there at to rest), they were eager and excited to be here, within sight of the Emerald City.

Suddenly the blinds closed around every window and the train came to a halt. Elphaba had a profound sense of deja vu. Just then, someone in green wearing green glasses stepped onto the train.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" he announced. "By order of His Great and Powerful Majesty, the Wizard of Oz himself, you are required to wear these green-shaded glasses that will now be issued to you." Two aides were now walking down the hall-way, giving glasses to everyone. When they stopped at Elphaba's seat, the aide looked suspiciously at the little Raccoon, but finally gave two pairs of green glasses to Elphaba. Ramon was practically swimming in his.

"You're no doubt asking yourselves," the man in green stated. "Why you must wear these glasses. Well, as we go into the Emerald City, the brightness of the city grows so great that you are likely to lose your vision without the protection of these glasses. Therefore, we advise you not to take them off until you have decided to leave. Enjoy your stay at the Emerald City."

The blinds went up, and they found themselves in the midst of Oz's green capital.

The People of Oz were rather awed by the sight. Men on bicycles with one large wheel at the front and one tiny one at the rear rode past them at great speed. People greeted them with a wave and a smile. Elphaba was both surprised and a little off-put that nobody was pointing or staring at her. Did she truly want this, to fit in so much that she was now just nothing more than another face in the crowd, another brick in the wall?

The men simply looked about, taking in every sight they could. It wasn't every day they got to be in the one and only Capital of Oz. Any hard feelings there might have been between Fiyero and Avaric seemed to have been shored up now.

Milla, on the other hand, felt like the fifth wheel. They were all enjoying themselves - even Galinda and Elphaba seemed to have forgotten their past scruples and were being buddy-buddy again. Ramon was not much help either, for he was looking about quite fearfully. The glances he received were neither friendly nor warm. It was then that Milla noted there weren't any Animals in this sea of shining, glowing green.

They approached the great gate of the Emerald Palace. A round-bellied man with a long, red beard and curling whiskers, guarded the gate.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"If you please," Elphaba began. "We'd all like to see the Wizard."

"Orders are," the guard barked. "Nobody can see the Wizard!"

"But we're the People of Oz!" Galinda added.

At this, the guard looked a little taken back.

"Well, then I would say that you've been expected!" he exclaimed. "I'll go in and announce you before His Ozness. I'll be back in an hour, maybe two, depending on how busy he is. Just don't leave town, okay?"

They nodded as the door ward opened the great gates and vanished into the darkened hall of the room. But suddenly, he stopped. It appeared that a dark figure came up to him from out of the shadows and whispered in his ears. The guard nodded, then turned around.

"The Raccoon will follow me." he said.

"Me?" Ramon stuttered. "B-But why?"

"Orders!" the guard returned. "Now step to it, little fella!"

Ramon waved good-bye to his friends, then walked into the darkness of the gate. The door closed behind them with a resounding clang.

"Just two more hours till we see the Wizard!" Galinda squealed. "Oh, Sweet Oz! We need to change!"

"'Change?'" Fiyero asked. "But we're just fine the way we are!"

"You may be," Galinda said. "But I don't want to wear this when I see the Wizard! It's filthy and wrinkled!"

"Maybe we should go change." Elphaba said.

Ten minutes later, the People of Oz emerged from a store called the Emerald Wardrobe, wearing the dress-clothes they had packed. Well, only two of them had any dress clothes; being Elphaba and Galinda. The others had to buy their own clothes which, surprisingly enough, were free of charge.

Elphaba was suspicious at this.

They emerged from the Emerald Wardrobe looking rather dashing in their new clothes. Galinda wore her yellow dress, Elphaba her black dress (with the pointed hat), and the other two were clad in the green robes of the people of the Emerald City. Just then, someone on a bicycle rode swiftly past them, depositing five slips of green paper into Galinda's hand.

"Wow!" she exclaimed as the bicyclist did not even slow his pace down as he rode past them.

"What have you got there?" Milla asked curiously. Galinda held up the little green notes, examining them. Then she let out a squeal!

"No!" Milla gasped. "Are you serious? The Wizomania?"

"What's Wizomania?" Fiyero asked.

"Some kind of tourist attraction, I've heard." Avaric said.

"It's more than a tourist attraction, it's..." Milla began.

"The biggest spectacle in all of the Emerald City!" she and Galinda screamed together in a chorus of squeals. Both Avaric and Fiyero covered their ears.

"Five," Milla said. "There's enough for us all." She looked down at the tickets. "It says it starts in five minutes! We better hurry and find the Emerald Opera House!"

"Elphie!" Galinda turned to her friend, who was now transfixed in place. "Elphie, come on! We'll be late for the show! Elphie!"

"Wait!" the green woman said, holding up a hand to protest the bouncing little blond at her side. As much as Elphaba had grown accustom to people staring at her, that did not make it any less painful that all they had to say were hateful comments about vegetables and throwing up. It hurt, and sometimes she did truly wish that they would just stop for a while.

"I want to remember this moment forever!" Elphaba breathed.

"Why?" Galinda asked.

"For the first time in my life," Elphaba beamed. "I'm somewhere I belong..." She then turned to the rest of them. "...and with all my friends!"

"Don't get sentimental on me, Thropp!" Avaric rolled his eyes. "I might puke!"

"I think you're made for this place!" Milla thoughtlessly stated.

"She's right," Galinda said, turning to her friend. She gently brushed her cheek. "You look positively emerald."

She and Elphaba shared a few giggles, then Galinda, the bomb-shell of energy, took Elphaba's hand and bounded off down the green streets, looking for a sign that would lead them to the Emerald Opera House.

They exited the Emerald Opera House with varied expressions and opinions on what they had seen. Galinda was giddy with excitement, a huge smile splitting her face open from side to side. Fiyero managed a faint smile, but his thoughts were on Elphaba, truly. Milla looked a little scared while Avaric looked plainly bored.

"Well, that was a waste of time!" he said.

"It was just so cute and totally so...Ozmopolitan!" Galinda said. "If we had more time, I'd see it again!"

"I didn't like those dancers," Milla commented. "They creep me out."

"Elphie?" Galinda queried to her friend.

"Those were Hammer-heads," she said. "I think they're from Quadling. So what are they doing so far away from their home?"

"Better off here than there, I say." Avaric stated, which earned him a venomous glare from Elphaba.

"He's right," Fiyero added. "We in the Vinkus have trouble with Hammer-heads migrating north-west into our lands..."

"Oh, listen to you!" Galinda said. "We're in the Capital of Oz! We're supposed to be having fun!"

"We are having fun, Galinda." Elphaba returned.

"Then show it!"

"Maybe our idea of fun is different than yours, Galinda." Fiyero said.

While they were so engrossed, the gate ward ran up to them.

"There you are!" he cried. "You're in luck, the Wizard is in a good mood and his schedule is open. Better hurry back to the Palace, you don't want to keep him waiting!"

They ran after the gate ward who, despite his size, could still run fast. They were now back at the gates of the Emerald Palace and, one by one, stepped into the darkness.

A long tunnel of green there was that lead from the gate into the darkness before them. Since it was so dark, they decided that they did not need to wear the green-shaded glasses and so removed them. They saw that the tunnel was even higher than they had expected. It was strangely cold and unfriendly after the warm welcome from the Emerald City denizens.

The tunnel seemed to go on forever, but at last it emptied into a large room with a high ceiling. It was almost pitch black in there, with no sound save the sigh of their own breaths and the pat of their own feet upon the paved floor.

Suddenly, a bright light exploded in front of them. A grinding noise like the roar of a thousand trains filled their ears. Sparks of fire leapt out from something that was appearing before them. It looked like a huge throne, illuminated by tiny suns orbiting around the frame. Seated upon that throne was something that made their hearts turn cold. A disembodied head was floating there, its eyes a blaze of fire and its voice the sound of a thousand trumpets.

"I AM OZ!" the great head boomed. "THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE! WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY HAVE YOU COME BEFORE ME?"

"I think it means us!" Avaric whined in fear.

"Fifi, go!" Galinda hissed. "You're our leader!"

"In that case, I should go!" Avaric said, trying to claw his way towards the front.

"If anyone's going up first," Fiyero hissed. "It's Elphaba!"

"What?" she whispered. "Why me?"

"Because this is your thing!" he said. "You're here by invitation for yourself and for the People of Oz. So you go first!"

Galinda gave Elphaba two thumbs up, while the green woman warily teetered forward towards the glowing throne of fire.

"WHO ARE YOU?" the giant head shouted.

"Elphaba Thropp, Your Terribleness!" she returned, her voice sounding tiny throughout the din of the noise. "But I'm also Fae of the People of Oz."

To their surprise, another voice spoke out from...somewhere...

"Just a minute!" it said.

The noise of grinding gears could be heard, some of the heavy lights dimmed, and the head seemed to come to a rest upon the throne. The dark room was now being illuminated by the lights on the chair, and they could see that there wasn't much else in here, save for a few doors along the side of each end of the hall.

Suddenly, out from behind the great head there appeared a little old man. He couldn't have been taller than Galinda, but was much older than Ramon, by far. His hair was graying, and he wore a gray suit jacket over his pin-striped shirt.

"Ah!" the old man said with a smile on his face. "I hope I didn't scare you! It's so hard to make out peoples' faces when I'm back there." He had on his hands a pair of working gloves, which he removed and stuffed into one of the pockets of his jacket. Looking into his inside pockets, he lifted up a pair of spectacles and placed them upon his long nose.

"Now let's see here," he said, trying to scrutinize the five youngsters before him. "Which is which?" Silence filled the hall. "Oh, I'm sorry. My little joke." He pointed to the young man with the blond hair. "You must be Av, am I correct?"

"Yes, Your Ozness." Avaric returned.

The short man - was he the Wizard? - made a triumphant punch into the air. "Which would make you Yero!" He pointed to Fiyero.

"Right you are, pops." Fiyero said with a smirk, which earned him a swift elbow to his stomach from Elphaba.

"Ah!" the old man smiled. "Which means you're Fae...or shall I call you Elphaba?"

Elphaba curtsied before the Wizard. "Either one will do, Your Ozness."

"Oh, it's a genuine pleasure to meet you!" he walked over to her and shook her hand happily. "A real pleasure." He then looked back and saw the last two girls. "And you are?"

"Glinda," Why did I say that, she mused. "Oh, but that's just my..."

"It's a bit much, isn't it?" the Wizard said, indicating to the giant head, which Elphaba was staring at. "I know it is, but people expect this kind of thing from a guy like me, and you've got to give people what they want. Truth be told, you're the first people to visit me in a long while: I don't let many people see me very often."

"I'm so honored, Your Ozness!" Elphaba said. She was practically beaming. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be here."

"Well, that's good!" he exclaimed. "Because that's what I love to do: making people happy." From somewhere in the darkness beyond the lights, the sounds of an orchestra filled their ears. The Wizard then began to sing something of a little song that, they expected, he had arranged for their arrival.

I am a sentimental man
Who always longed to be a father
That's why I do the best I can
To treat each citizen of Oz as a son - or daughter

The Wizard then walked over to Elphaba and took her by the hand, leading her up before the giant head, singing directly to her and none of the others.

And Elphaba, I'd like to raise you high
'Cuz I think everyone deserves
The chance to fly
And helping you with your ascent
Allows me to feel so parental
For I am a sentimental man

They had never seen Elphaba happier in their lives.

"Was that too much?" the Wizard queried. "It's true, I-I can't help it. I'm a real sucker for helping people. I guess that's why I'm so wonderful, to them at least."

"Oh, Your Ozness!" Elphaba practically gushed. "I'm so glad to hear you say such things. You see, I..." She waved them over, and they filed in behind her. "We are not just here for ourselves."

"What?" Avaric asked.

"We're not?" Galinda gasped.

"No!" Elphaba hissed at Galinda, then turned back to the Wizard. "We're here to tell you that something bad is happening to the Animals in..."

"Please!" the Wizard held out his hands. "Say no more, say no more! I'm the Wonderful Wizard of Oz! I already know why you've come here!"

They looked at each other in awe.

"And I have every intention of granting your request," the Wizard continued. "But, uh, I'd like to ask you lot a few questions now." He indicated to those behind Elphaba.

"We're in the band." Fiyero said sheepishly.

"So I've noticed," the Wizard continued. "Well, I'm sure you're all very good. I've never had the pleasure of seeing your shows myself: the People of Oz! What an inspiring name!" He paused, dramatically showing off his 'sentimental' side, much to Avaric's nauseation.

"Well," he continued. "As you may not know, I am not only the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, I am Oz's biggest promoter. Honest to God!"

"Well, uh," Elphaba said. "What do you promote?"

"Peace, for one," he said. "And-and harmony for another. The people have come to trust me and I take that relationship very seriously. And, because of their great trust, and my sentimental nature, it is only natural that he who promotes the Wizard is, in turn, promoted by the Wizard, and therefore loved by the people. Just think of it! With my charisma and your talent, all of Oz will be at your feet!"

Their heads swam with just the thought of what all this could mean for them. Of course, all the riches they could ever ask for would be just a word away. Fame out the wazoo would follow and their names would soon be all across Oz, on everyone's lips.

"But, you, Elphaba!" the Wizard pulled her apart from the rest. "You have a future of your own. Now, as I understand it, you have a natural aptitude for sorcery, am I correct?"

"Well, uh, yes!" How did he know, she thought. Did Madam Morrible tell him?

"Well," he stepped back, his arms stretched out. "Show me!"

Elphaba's face flushed a shade of violet. "Oh! I didn't actually come prepared to do magic."

"Well, that's no problem!" the Wizard chuckled. He then turned his head back and called out. "Bring out the book!"

"Right away, Your Ozness!"

To their surprise and, somewhat, alarm, the sight of the giant fish-faced Head Shiz-tress floated into the room, bedecked in green robes and just as cod-like as they had remembered her. In her arms was a large book, with a weather-beaten hard cover of leather.

"I believe you all know Madam Morrible," the Wizard stated. "Head Mistress of your school and, uh, my new Press Secretary."

"'Press Secretary?'" Elphaba gasped.

"Yes," Madam Morrible said proudly, maybe even a little smugly. "Yes, dearies, I've risen up in the world!" She pointed up dramatically with one of her bejeweled fingers. "If you stay here, you'll find that the Wizard is a very generous man and the best promoter: if you do little for him, he will do much for you."

"I-I already said that." the Wizard stated meekly. Madam Morrible ignored him.

"Now, then," Madam Morrible said, turning to Elphaba. "I took the liberty of informing His Ozness about your talents when I wrote to him, and he asked that you prove yourself when you came into his presence."

"But, how?" Elphaba asked.

The Wizard turned around and blew on a silver whistle. Immediately, a very odd-looking Monkey pranced out of the darkness. Galinda and Milla took a step back in surprise, but Elphaba was almost immediately drawn towards the cute little creature. It stood before her for a moment, perhaps in awe over her green skin. She scratched the little tufts of hair beneath his chin, at which he chattered loudly and leapt off to a place in front of the Wizard, where he sat by idly, watching the others about him.

"This is Chistery," the Wizard announced. "He's my monkey servant, one of the finest. But lately he's grown rather moody, watching the birds all day with longing. Naturally, I expected that he wanted to be with them..."

"And so," Madam Morrible said, presenting the book. "His Ozness suggested that you prove yourself by casting a simple...levitation spell."

They looked in awe at the book in Madam Morrible's hands.

"Is...is that what I think it is?" Galinda whispered.

"Yes, dearie!" Madam Morrible announced with pride. "The Grimmerie: the ancient compendium of thaumaturgy and enchantments!"

"Can I touch it?" Galinda gasped.

"No!" Madam Morrible mockingly returned. She then walked over to Elphaba and placed the book in her hands, then turned to the others. "If you wouldn't mind, take a step back a pace." They did as instructed.

Elphaba, meanwhile, was pouring over the Grimmerie. As mysterious as the cover was, it was even more mysterious inside. The pages were of violet vellum, with words of silvery white that seemed to dance and swim across the pages.

"Don't be discouraged," Madam Morrible assured Elphaba. "If you can't decipherate it right off. I've spent years studying that old book and can only read a spell or two."

The room fell silent. Elphaba was waving her hands over the pages of the book, her eyes turning red as she chanted the words that appeared the clearest before her eyes.

Ahben Tahkay Ahben Tahkay Ahben Atum Ahben Takayah Entayah Ah Entayah Tifentah Ahben Tahkay!

"Yes!" the Wizard exclaimed. Now he was beaming! "Look at her go! Chistery!" He walked over to the monkey, who flinched slightly. "What an experience you're about to have!" The Wizard looked out and waved his hand, the orchestra striking up again.

Since once I saw my own name in the sky
I think everyone deserves the chance to...

But before he could finish, Chistery gave out a blood-curdling cry of agony. His little hands reached up at his back, pawing at his shoulder-blades as if to rid them of some evil that was causing him great pain.

"What's happening to him?" Elphaba gasped.

"No need to worry, dearie!" Madam Morrible said. "Just part of the transition!"

Suddenly, a pair of blue, bat-like wings exploded from out of Chistery's back.

"Glorious!" the Wizard exclaimed.

"What an impressive wing-span!" Madam Morrible exclaimed.

"You did it, Elphie!" Galinda cheered on from where she stood with the others. "You really did it!"

Elphaba, however, was everything but jubilant. She was looking at Chistery, noticing that he was still pawing at the roots of the wings and making screeching noises.

"No!" she gasped. "He's in pain!" She walked over to him. "What's wrong, Chistery? Tell me!" But the monkey was unable to answer her. "Why isn't he speaking?" She shouted, turning to the Wizard and Madam Morrible.

"Oh, he couldn't speak when we found him." the Wizard said.

Elphaba turned back to the Grimmerie, the words were starting to obscure themselves again. But she had to! She had to do something. This was all wrong, every fiber of her being screamed.

"Madam!" she turned to the head-mistress. "Tell me, how can I reverse it? Quickly!"

"You can't!" Madam Morrible exclaimed. "Spells can't be reversed once they're cast!" She then turned back to the Wizard. "I told you she had it in her! I told you!"

"Alright, alright!" the Wizard said. "I admit, you were right."

Elphaba halted, if only externally. Her heart was racing inside of her.

"You knew?" she asked. "You knew this would happen and you let me do it anyway?"

"But you'll benefit from this also, dearie." Madam Morrible said. The Wizard was slowly backing away, both hands behind his back.

"How?" Elphaba returned, her voice rising in shock. "How can I benefit from casting spells that torture poor Animals?"

"You're rendering service to your Wizard!" Madam Morrible stated. "It is a civic duty, one you should be proud of doing!"

The Wizard, now behind the rest of the members of the People of Oz (who were quite forgotten in all of this), gave out a cry as he looked behind a curtain that hid the rest of the room.

"And look!" he shouted. "This is just the beginning!"

He pulled a lever and the curtain swung back, revealing a large cage filled with monkeys. They were all chattering, screaming out in pain, with wings sprouting from their backs.

Elphaba's hands were shaking. Have I done this, she asked herself. But it was my mission to see that the Animals were being well-treated! Have I just been used to make them suffer?

"Why the long face?" the Wizard asked Elphaba. "If this is what you can accomplish on your first try," He pointed to the monkeys. "Well, then, the sky is the limit!"

"This is perfect, Your Ozness!" Madam Morrible stated. "What fine spies they will make!"

"'Spies?'" Elphaba echoed.

"You're right!" the Wizard said, pointing to Elphaba. "That's a harsh word. How about 'scouts?' I mean, that's what they'll really be, after all. They'll just fly around Oz and report on any subversive...uh, Animal act..."

"Stop him!" a voice echoed from down the hall.

"Quick! He's heading for the throne room!"

The doors on the left side of the room (left of Elphaba) burst open. Three or four soldiers ran into the room, running after something that was small and could easily escape their grasp. They wore the yellow arm-bands of the Gale Force. Elphaba's heart stopped at she saw just who they were chasing.

It was a Raccoon.

"Elphaba!" Ramon shouted, falling before Elphaba's feet in exhaustion. "Elphaba, run! Get out of here now! It's a trap! The Wizard's behind the Animal laws, all of them!"

"There he is!" one of the Gale Force soldiers shouted.

"I thought there were to be no interruptions, captain!" Madam Morrible shouted at the one at the head of the guards. He was speechless before the fierce ire of 'fishy-face'.

"Come on, coon!" one of the Gale Force guards said as he seized Ramon from behind.

"Don't let them get you too! Escape while there's still a chance!"

They were now dragging him off back down the hall he had escaped down from, though Ramon was kicking and fighting them as best as he could.

"Long live the People of Oz!" he shouted. They shut the doors behind them with a resounding clank.

Elphaba was shaking inside as she turned around to the Wizard, a look of shock and fear in her eyes.

"Why?" she asked. That was all she could say.

"Elphaba, please try to understand!" the Wizard said, walking over to her left-side. "When I first got here, there were all sorts of disorder and fear. Back where I come from, the best way to bring folks together is to give them a really good enemy."

It all fell into place after that. That was why those who passed Animal Bans faced no resistance from the Emerald City, because they were actually being supported by the Wizard and his Gale Force. That was why the cages were appearing, to herd the 'enemy' of the people of Oz into silence, because...

No, she told herself. It can't be true.

But there was no further recourse, no defense for what she had seen with her own eyes. Magpie Gregor was right.

"You have no real power, do you?" she breathed, pointing to the Wizard.

"You're absolutely right," he smiled. "That's why I need you!" He then waved the People of Oz over. "All of you. Don't you see? The world is your oyster now! You all have so much potential!"

"What do we have to do to get it?" Fiyero asked.

"I will give you everything you desire," the Wizard said. "Everything! You want to be Grand Vizir?" He pointed to Elphaba. "Well, it's yours. And you, Glinda!" He turned to the young girl. "You'll have fame and fortune beyond your wildest dreams..." Just then, someone else joined them. "And any man you could ever desire."

"Nicolas!" Galinda sighed.

"After the horrendible riots in Tenniken," Madam Morrible stated. "His Ozness rewarded the young Prince Chuffrey with honors and titles greater than his father ever could have possessed."

"All he had to do," the Wizard said. "Was give names to the Gale Force, of those Animals who were at your show, and arrest them."

"I would have got to them sooner, Your Ozness," Nicolas said, indicating to the People of Oz. "But that woman is a witch."

"Sorceress!" the Wizard stated. "She's with us, so there'll be no name-calling to our Grand Vizir."

There was silence in the hall. Elphaba was breathing heavily. Brightly colored stars were appearing before her eyes, her hands were twitching.

No, she breathed. Not now! I need to think! I need to stay calm!

But that was not happening. She felt her fingers grip the leather bindings on the Grimmerie. She was no longer listening to the Wizard: he had already dug his own grave with those words.

"It's a shame about that Gorilla," Nicolas stated. "If he'd only kept his big mouth shut, we wouldn't have had to put him down."

It was worse than she could have imagined. Not just cages, but actual executions of Animals. She surmised, by now, that the Gorilla, which the papers had said had mauled a mother and child, was more likely innocent and had been mauled to death by the Gale Force.

Is this what I want, she asked. To be a pawn of this...tyranny?

She slowly stood up, breathing loudly. Her throat was constricting, she felt that she would explode if she didn't do something.

"Elphie!" Galinda screamed behind her.

But Elphaba wasn't stopping. She had to keep going up, get as far away from them as she could. She didn't know how far away they were, either of them - the guards, the Monkeys, the People of Oz she had left behind - it didn't matter anymore. She had to be free of it all. She had to get away.

She pushed the door open with the surprising momentum of her thin body and found herself in a dry, dusty room. A domed ceiling was just above her head, glowing faintly green. She looked this way and that, there had to be something else, another door, another flight of stairs.

Her heart sank.

There was no way out. She had reached a dead end.

"Elphie!" Galinda panted as she climbed up the steps. Running in heels was a disastrous decision from the start. The sound of boots pounding down far below caught her attention. Elphaba was back on her feet, a look of anxiety and determination on her face.

"They're coming up the stairs!" she nervously mused to herself. "I have to barricade the door!"

"What?" Galinda exclaimed. "Elphie, wait!"

She was now up and about, looking around this Oz-forsaken attic, panting heavily. There was nothing that looked useful even in the slightest. The sound of boots pounding upon the wooden stair-steps were getting closer.

"Ah!" she exclaimed. Sitting by a box of ratty old clothing there was an old broom - the kind that had bristles of straw tied about a handle of real wood. I'll use this! she thought, running back to the door and wedging the handle through the latch. It would not hold against a determined assault.

"Elphaba Thropp!" Galinda shouted, gasping for breath. "Why the hell couldn't you have stayed calm for once, instead of flying off the handle?" She rested against the wall, panting like a forge's bellows. "What good will it do you know, fighting for Animals without the power to back you? Well, I hope you're happy now!"

"Don't even give me that!" Elphaba shot back, he chest heaving. "I saw the look on your face back there! You were eating up every single word that-that...liar was saying! I hope you're happy! Groveling at his feet just to feed your endless desire for fame and popularity!"

The two looked the other way, trying to pretend that they were angry at each other. In truth, they were both frightened. The fearful sight of the Wizard, then the painful wails of Chistery and the monkeys that she, Elphaba, had inflicted upon them. Then the spell: the second spell. It was Elphaba's innate magic at work. The cage had been busted open and the monkeys flew about freely into the sky. While Madam Morrible and the Wizard were busy calling the guards to bring the monkeys back, Elphaba had shot out of the room at full speed. Galinda called back, promising to bring Elphaba back. Now they were trapped in the attic. Even worse, they knew that it was only a matter of time before the guards found them and they were hauled back to the Wizard...

In chains.

"Citizens of Oz!" the voice of cod-faced Madam Morrible called out. Was she speaking through a PA, or had her voice been magically enhanced? Either way, she sounded fierce, menacing and threatening. Cold chills of fear fell upon the two women in that dark, cold attic.

"There is an enemy who must be found and captured!" the Wizard's press secretary shouted. "Believe nothing she says: she's evil! Responsible for the mutilation of those poor, innocent monkeys!"

"Oh no!" Galinda whined. Somehow, in the dark of that room, her hand found its way into Elphaba's. She thought that the angry green girl would throw it aside. Instead, it closed around her little pale hand in a tight, warm grip.

"Her green skin is but an outward manifestorium of her inward, twisted nature!" Madam Morrible continued, her voice rising with rage. "This...distortion! This...repulsion! This...WICKED WITCH!"

The words echoed throughout all of the Emerald City, ringing in their ears, chilling their blood. The very sound of the wooden floor-boards creaking beneath their feet seemed to them to be betraying their location. There was no hope for either of them to escape.

"Don't be afraid!" Galinda whined, her hand squeezing the green fingers she held onto as if for her very life.

"I'm not," Elphaba lied. Though the strength and determination in her voice made it quite convincing. "It's the Wizard who should be afraid...of me!"

"Elphie, listen to me!" Galinda reasoned. "Just say you're sorry, before it's too late. You'll see. The Wizard seems nice enough, he'll let you back. And then you'll get to have everything you've ever wanted!"

"I know," Elphaba breathed. "But I don't...no! I can't want it...not anymore."

"Why not?"

"I'm through."

"Through with what, Elphie?"

"I'll fight for the Animals on my own if I have to." Elphaba said with determination.

"You're not making sense, Elphie!" Galinda said. "You won't be able to fight for anyone from behind a prison cell!"

"Oh, don't worry." Elphaba said. "I'll find a way out of here."

Just then, the doors pounded, shaking upon their hinges.

"Open this door in the name of his Supreme Ozness!" the captain of the Gale Force shouted.

But Elphaba was back on the floor, the Grimmerie open and chanting frantically, her hands tracing the words as they formed upon the page, hoping that they would stay potent long enough for...

Ahben Tahkay Ah Tum Entay Ditum Entayah

"Elphie don't!" Galinda whined. "That's what started this in the first place, that hideous levitation spell!"

Ahben Tahkay Ah Tum Entay Ditum Entayah

"Please..." Galinda threw her hands over her face. "STOP!" She screamed. Suddenly there was silence, broken only by the sound of the guards outside.

"It's stuck, sir!" one shouted.

"Bash it in!" the captain ordered. "You three, go back and fetch the battering rammican!"

"Yes sir!"

The sound of foot-steps echoing down the hall was all the noise that was heard. Galinda peeked out from beneath her hands, fearing something terrible had happened to her friend.

"Well," she said, removing both hands. "Where are your wings?"

Elphaba remained crouched in place over her book, nothing on her back save for her clothes and her raven black hair, almost invisible in the dim light.

"Maybe you're not as powerful as you think you are." Galinda sighed. She didn't treasure the idea of being captured anymore than Elphaba had, and was really hoping that something would happen, something that would save them from what would surely be a gruesome fate in the fearful Southstairs.

Just the thought of it was enough to send shivers down her spine.

Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound. Galinda gave a start, then saw something small and wooden flying about the room.

"Oh! Sweet Oz!" Galinda gasped, her hands going up over her mouth.

Elphaba was ecstatic. "I told you! Ha! Didn't I tell you, Galinda?"

The broom flew down toward her, as if guided by her unspoken will. It was now in both of her hands, as if it were a spear.

"Quick!" Elphaba gasped. "Get on!"

"What?" Galinda took a step back. She wanted to escape, but now that she thought of it, giving herself up sounded like a much better idea.

"Glinda, come with me!" Elphaba nervously urged. "Think of what we could do...together!"

She would be taken back to the Wizard and tell him that she had no part in this madness. Then he would pardon her and make good on his promise: she would have a roof over her head, a warm bed to sleep in, food to eat, pretty clothes to wear, and enough popularity to make her the envy of all of Gilikin.

All she had to do was turn her back on her friend. The scruples they had as the People of Oz seemed insignificant to this whole debacle. She remembered why they were still friends, even though she had accused Elphaba of stealing Fiyero from her. She couldn't abandon her right now, when she needed a friend the most.

"Well, are you coming?" Elphaba gasped.

"E-Elphie..." Galinda finally said, trying to force back tears. "You're trembling!" She had been too. This attic was too cold and frightful for her tastes. She felt so awful, that she couldn't force herself to be strong like Elphaba. But she was Galinda, a sprite, a cream-puff, a fairy princess, a high-society girl. She didn't have the strength to make the hard decisions.

If you're going to betray your best friend, she thought. At least try to be nice about it.

She walked over to the bin of ratty clothes and pulled out something that looked warm: a heavy black cloak. She turned back to Elphaba, still kneeling down. The Grimmerie was now stowed in the bag that hung at her side. Galinda walked over to the green woman, draping the heavy cloak upon her shoulders and tying it at the neck. Elphaba rose up.

"I guess this is good-bye." Galinda said. "I...take care, Elphie..."

"If you want to find me," Elphaba returned slowly. "Look to the west." She remembered what Fiyero had said about the Vinkus. Kind of silly, but it would be better than trying to hide in a well-populated place like Gilikin, or even Munchkinland.

For some reason, she held out her hand. Galinda took it.

"Goodbye, Elphie." Galinda repeated, a single tear sliding down her face. "Oz-speed!"

"Goodbye..." Elphaba breathed, her hand lifting up to wipe away the tear. "...my friend."

Just then, the doors burst open. Galinda looked back and saw large Gale Force soldiers running into the room.

"There she is!" one shouted.

"Don't let her get away!" the captain growled.

Galinda turned around, but there was no sign of Elphaba. Strong hands now seized her arms and shoulders.

"No!" she cried out. "Leave me alone, do you hear? Stop! Let me go!"

One of the guards suddenly fell forward, thrown back by the blast of a fire-ball. Turning around, they saw a figure shrouded in darkness, with a green face and a menacing look in her eyes.

"She has nothing to do with this! It's me you want!"

The guards were closing in.

Well, Thropp, she thought to herself. It's now or never. Too late for second-guessing yourself.

Her eyes, a blaze of brown and crimson, slid shut quietly. The magic was all around her, just within reach. She had always felt it in one way or another. Sometimes it was faint, and she was 'normal'. When it was almost crushing her breath out, especially in times of great duress, magic would just fly out at random, causing accidents such as the train-ride to Settica.

But now, she was in a moment of great stress, yet the magic was just within reach. She could feel the guards closing in. They were almost upon her; she could feel the wind that was stirred up by their close presence.

She jumped.

Before she knew it, the roof had exploded in a shower of emerald glass. With both hands gripping tightly onto the handle of the broom, Elphaba dared to look down. The Emerald City was receeding behind her like a haze of green. It did not blind her (another one of the Wizard's lies, she concluded). But that was hardly important. Down below she saw people the size of ants looking out every window, stopping in the streets to look up at her. Her heart swelled three times its normal size. All eyes were upon the green-skinned cretin, Madam Morrible's 'Wicked Witch', as she did what had been considered impossible.

She was Defying Gravity.

(AN: And that, my dear friends, is the end of Act I.)

(More story-oriented, this chapter. As you can see, I've borrowed heavily and paraphrased lines from the musical. My plan was to 're-write' it as if it were real, rather than just a scene in a Broadway musical. The 'Defying Gravity' scene is very emotionally charged, and I hope I got that across.)

(What happens next? Well, I promised you an interim, and so there shall be. I just need to find the original draft. And, if not, I will have to rewrite it. So be patient.)

(10.13.11 - I don't know if I'll continue this story. So far, the reviews haven't been that good, and, let's face it, how many Wicked fans other than me like rock music...and I mean real rock music? Yeah, if this story doesn't go much of any place between now and once I've finished The Trials of Boq and Nessa, it's probably going on hiatus. If you care to save it, review and tell me you want more.)