Then he looked at me and said, "Go get your family and bring them here."

I nodded, returned to the jungle, picked up Glinda and Mels, and finally returned to the Pridelands.

When we arrived, I paused and said, "Mels, here we are—home sweet home."

She looked around and Glinda smiled.

Then I led the way to Pride Rock.

"Simba, they're human!" someone yelled.

"Silence, Zira!" Simba ordered.

"She saved my life," Simba snapped back. "I owe her a debt of gratitude and the only way I think of to repay her is to adopt her—and her family—into the pride!"

"Simba, we have your word," Sarabi began. "And we do believe you, but what does she say? What about her family?"

"Well, her daughter's too young to remember, and Glinda was sick at the time, but apparently, the blonde, Glinda, supported Elphaba one hundred percent," Simba answered honestly.

I walked forward and soon learned there was a pride meeting occurring debating letting me, Glinda, and Mels join them.

I said, "Simba, may I testify as to why the three of us should be allowed to join the Pride?"

Simba nodded.

"Well, when I went to Shiz, I was studying Life Sciences with a Goat professor. His name was Dr. Dillamond. After he was taken away by guards, we got a new teacher, Dr. Niddik." I began explaining.

Simba shuddered and then I continued.

"Dr. Niddik had a cage with a lion cub in it. I started freaking out and trying to find someone to help free that lion. I panicked, used my powers, made my entire class do this freaky dancing thing, which was really scary, and then grabbed the cage and ran. I didn't stop until I was safe in the woods. Then I let the cub go and he told me, 'My name is Simba.' So I told him to go home. He said he had no home and that he was responsible for his father's death, which as we all know is completely false. So, I told him, 'Simba, that may be your secret, but that doesn't make it true.' Then I went to the Emerald City with Glinda, where she somehow managed to get me pregnant—don't ask, because I have no clue how that happened—and I became a fugitive—the 'Wicked' Witch of the West. That isn't true. Ask Simba. Ask Glinda. Ask Timon. Ask Pumbaa. Ask Nala. Have I ever hurt them or their loved ones? No, I've tried to help them. Anyway, while, I was hiding in the jungle with Simba, he mentioned you, Sarabi. OK, in my defense, I was pregnant. Leave me alone. So we raided Colwen Grounds—we took all of their food. Five months after our raid, I gave birth to my first daughter—Melena Sarabi Upland—Melena for my mother, Sarabi for Simba's mother, and Upland for her mother. Then Glinda, Mels—that's our daughter's nickname—and I were finally reunited, but I had to help Simba. He had to know that I was willing to fight at his side and I proved that. I proved that against the hyenas. Then I picked Glinda and Mels up and we returned here. I fight for Animals rights—all across Oz Animals—just like you—are losing the ability to speak." I finished.

Zira sprang and accused me of lying.

Glinda took a deep breath. "Elphie's words ring true. It is the Wizard who is behind the Animal suppression, but really he has lost most of his power to the Press Secretary. She's the real Mastermind and the one coming up with new Banns every week," Glinda snapped, angrily, glaring at the ground.

Zira hissed and slashed at me, cutting me over my left eye.

"Elphie!" Glinda screamed.

"Mama!" my daughter called, crying.

Despite the blood, I tried to smile at them—to reassure them.

Simba said, "No more witness is required."

Sarabi looked thoughtful, but then nodded. Then Nala nodded and Serafina nodded—all of those truly loyal to Simba nodded.

He smiled and said, "Welcome to the Pride, Glinda, Elphaba, and Melena Sarabi Upland."

We all smiled and then he saw the cut over my eye. "Who did this to you?" he asked.

"Zira," I answered honestly.

"Get out of the Pridelands!" Simba ordered Zira. "Take your family and leave!"

Zira nodded and left, taking three cubs, and several other Lionesses with her.

Rafiki came and checked my eye. "It will be fine, but she'll carry the scar forever," he told Glinda.

"No pictures," she called to me.

I nodded in agreement.

Then I pulled a ring out of my pocket and asked, "Glinda Arduenna Upland of the Upper Uplands, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"

Glinda smiled at me and said, "Yes, Elphie. A thousand times yes."

I smiled and kissed her.

Mels looked at us and then smiled and began clapping her hands together.