A warning to the people,
The good and the evil,
This is war.
To the soldier, the civilian,
The martyr, the victim,
This is war.

It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie,
The moment to live and the moment to die,
The moment to fight, the moment to fight
To fight, to fight, to fight!

-This is War by 30 Seconds to Mars

Defense. She needed a defense. If Elphaba knew anything, it was that there was no way Fiyero would be able to keep his big mouth shut, which meant that people would be coming soon. She needed to have some sort of defense, and that meant training her magic.

"All right…" the green witch muttered as she paced the apple orchard that grew outside the back of the castle. She looked down at her hands before she summoned a fireball. That came easily enough… but it would only do so much. Elphaba closed her fist, extinguishing the blaze. She'd have to be able to create something stronger.

"Walls… I need walls…" The green woman thrust her hand out, which only succeeded in an icicle emerging from the ground. She'd need more than that… Elphaba thrust her hand out again, summoning a larger one.

"I need more than that…" Elphaba repeated the motion with both hands, feeling a rush of energy leave her body as a wall of frost shot up in front of her. The green woman fell to one knee, a bit out of breath, and her frost wall slowly came down.

It was a start.

"… da… linda… Galinda!"

The blonde was jerked from her thoughts by the sharp voice. "What?"

Nessa was giving her a look, her petite arms crossed. "Didn't you hear me calling your name?"

"Obviously not. What is it?"

"Look: Morrible is talking to Sarima again."

The blonde looked up to see that what Nessa had said was true: their headmistress was talking to the Vinkan while their other classmates filed out of the room.

"That's the third time in a row," the younger Thropp added.

"Maybe she needs help."

The brunette shook her head. "Perhaps this is merely my sister's paranoid tendencies rubbing off on me, but something just seems off… Sarima isn't a particularly stand-out student from what I can tell, so what does Morrible see in her?"

"I don't know." Truthfully, Galinda didn't want to think about it. It only reminded her of what had transpired between them, and how Elphaba had saved her from making a horrible mistake… now Elphaba wouldn't even accept her help. It was a thought that made the Frottican want to cry, but she held it in (she told herself) for Nessa's sake.

"Perhaps this is something Elphaba should know about," Nessa continued.

"And how do you propose we tell her? Send a letter addressed to Kiamo Ko? She doesn't want to talk to us… she wants to be alone." Galinda's bitterness was showing through.

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

Nessa rolled her eyes. "You're always so dramatic."

No wonder Elphaba called her sister a righteous pain in the ass! "Dramatic? Nessa, do you realize what is happening here? Your sister chose to seal herself away from the rest of the world for no reason! Now, maybe I haven't known her as long as you, but I do know that not even Elphaba can survive living in solitude. Her mind will unravel long before she dies, and perhaps that will be worse!"

Okay, so perhaps she was a bit melodramatic.

Nessa blinked, seemingly unfazed, or unconvinced by Galinda's slippery slope argument. "You make it sound as though she's staying there for the rest of her life."

"How do you know she isn't?"

"How do you know she is?"

Galinda paused. She didn't want to have this conversation, especially not with Nessa of all people; it only reminded her of what she had lost.

"The person who seems to know the whole truth, besides Elphaba, is Morrible," the brunette added.

"Good luck getting any information out of her," the blonde scoffed.

"That is where we differ. Elphaba, as tall and angular as she is, goes for the direct approach; she so seldom speaks that people listen when she talks. You aren't as intimidating, but perhaps no one takes you seriously because of the way you look and act. "

Galinda puffed up a bit in indignation.

"I, on the other hand, am somewhere in between. I too do not participate in social interactions, but when I do, I am much more pleasant to deal with than my sister. Also, my chair gives the illusion that I am harmless, perhaps even invisible at times. You would be surprised what people say in front of the tragically beautiful Thropp."

There was a silence as Galinda absorbed all of this. "So… what are you thinking of doing?" she eventually asked, wondering what the younger Thropp had planned.

"I will merely make my case as the poor, helpless sister who simply cannot survive without my primary caretaker." The brunette noticed that Morrible was leaving the classroom. "After all, Elphaba did take care of me all those years; who's to say that somewhere along the way, I didn't become reliant on her to keep me alive."

"But you're alive now."

"It's all mental, Galinda. The brain can trick the body into thinking all sorts of crazy things." Nessa offered the blonde a smile. "I'll meet you back at the room later."

"Madame, I was wondering if I might have a word with you."

Morrible looked up from where she had had been working, her gaze falling on the younger Thropp. "Miss Nessarose, I am exceedingly busy—"

"This will only take a few moments; it is urgent."

The headmistress sighed to herself. "A few minutes then. What is concerning you?"

"Well, as I'm sure you know, my sister has neglected to return to Shiz—"

Morrible held up a hand, cutting Nessa off. "I am not at liberty to discuss your sister's current position. I'm sure Miss Galinda told you that much."

"But Madame, you don't understand—"

"Now, I have agreed to take you in at your father's request, but that does not mean I can give you special treatment. Miss Elphaba wished for her location to remain a secret, and that is something I must honor."

Nessa sighed. "I understand." She began to turn her chair. "I am glad that you at least know where she is; after all, how else would she hear about my untimely demise?"

"Pardon me?"

"Oh, don't mind me. I was just thinking about… well, I don't want to trouble you."

"Miss Nessarose, if there is something wrong with you, then I certainly need to know."

The brunette turned back. "Well… as I'm sure you know, Elphaba was my primary caretaker for most of my childhood. I grew dependent on her, and when she left for Shiz, it was difficult for me, but I managed, seeing as I had my mother. However, with my mother's recent passing, and my father leaving… well I…" Nessa took a deep, shuddering breath. "I seem to have become very ill."

"Oh? You appear well to me."

"Not that kind of ill, Madame."

"Then how do you mean?"

"Well, I've had trouble eating… I've developed sores on my body… my body seems to almost be shutting down, as it were. Subconsciously, it almost seems as though I've come to rely on Elphaba to keep me alive. I fear that without my sister… I may die."

Morrible paused as she processed this. While it was true she couldn't let anyone know where Elphaba was, she couldn't very well let her sister die in her care; how would that look?

"Miss Nessarose," she said finally, "what you are implying is something that I do not have much, if any, experience in. Perhaps it would be best for you to visit the infirmary—"

"Is Elphaba there?"

The headmistress sighed. "No, but perhaps—"

"Madame, as I said before, I hate to trouble you, but I feel as though there is nothing anyone here can do for me. I have accepted the fact that I will most likely die without my sister."

A silence.

"Well, I am sorry to have bothered you. Have a good evening," Nessa said before she turned and wheeled out of the office, leaving Morrible to lean back in her chair as she pondered this new, unexpected dilemma.

"Orders, sir?"

Fiyero looked up from where he was looking over his blueprints of Kiamo Ko. "We'll have to storm the castle."

"Are there enemy combatants inside?"

Fiyero shook his head. "No… but I fear someone very close to me might be being held prisoner there."

The guard nodded. "I shall ready the troops, and we will be prepared by morning."

Fiyero nodded back. "Very good. You are dismissed."

The guard bowed before leaving the room, and Fiyero let out a sigh. "Fae… what happened? Why won't you talk to me?"

Elphaba stood poised, her gaze fixated on an apple tree, which were just beginning to bloom. Her eyes fell on a detaching petal, and as it began to fall to the ground, she quickly summoned a fireball and threw it, hitting the petal dead on. The green woman smiled slightly, and her gaze fell on another falling petal. With another thrust of her hand, she sent an icicle through the petal.

It was far from perfect, but she was getting better.

The sound of movement caught her attention, and the green woman paused in her magic training. The only movement she had heard around the castle was the occasional bird, which could apparently cross over the magicked boundaries. The Munchkin tried to determine what the noise could be; definitely heavier than birds.

And then, it stopped, but only for a second. Elphaba heard a thud, and she turned to see that whatever it was had jumped over the garden wall. Elphaba summoned two fireballs, ready to fight.

"Elphaba!"

The green woman paused. It was a Lion… and it knew her name. Recognition slowly dawned over her. "Purr?"

The beast came bounding at her, and the Munchkin extinguished the flames. She soon realized that he wasn't stopping, and she braced herself for what was about to come.

"Oh boy—"

The Lion collided with her, and Elphaba was knocked to the ground as he lay on her, rubbing his face against hers.

"You've gotten big," she wheezed, running her hands through his mane.

"I waited for you… at Shiz… but you never came to visit me."

"You stayed?"

"I didn't want to leave… in case you needed me."

Elphaba smiled fondly, and Purr's head came to rest on her shoulder. After a few moments, the green witch said, "Purr, I'm happy to see you, but I can't breathe…"

"Oh, sorry." The Lion stood, and Elphaba sat up, a hand moving to her chest. "I met your sister… and Galinda."

"Nessa is at Shiz?" Elphaba feared what that meant; what had her father done? And Morrible… what would she do now that Elphaba wasn't there to protect the ones she loved? "How is Galinda?"

"Worried about you."

She had figured that. "I didn't want to leave… but I had to. My magic… it's becoming too powerful. I would have hurt her."

"You were never cruel to Galinda… or me."

Elphaba gave him a small smile. "My magic isn't something I can control, Purr… well, when my emotions get out of hand, that is. I have to learn how to keep everything under control…"

The Lion didn't look convinced, and he helped the green woman to her feet.

"Why are you here anyway? How did you know I was here?"

"Galinda received a message, and sent me to check on you…"

"Fiyero… I knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut."

"Come back to Shiz with me."

"I can't, Purr… I can't leave."

The Lion's tail swished. "Then I shall stay with you."

"No… Purr, you don't want to be trapped like I am."

"I am not going to leave you here alone. You cared for me when I had no one… I will not abandon you now."

Elphaba sighed, running a hand through her raven hair, but she knew there was no changing the Lion's mind. "All right… I suppose you can stay with me, though it'll be just the two of us."

"Not quite."

The green woman raised an eyebrow, watching as Purr turned and let out a roar. After a few moments, Elphaba heard the sound of running feet, and her gaze fell on about a dozen or so monkeys clambering over the wall.

"Snow monkeys…"

The small animals came running up to Purr, and their eyes fell on the green woman curiously. One of them, apparently the leader, approached her cautiously, and Elphaba knelt down.

"Hello there," she said, offering him a verdant finger.

The monkey took it in his paws, making soft noises before he nipped at the green appendage gently.

"I managed to find some friends along the way," Purr said with a slight smile.

"Apparently so…"

The monkey, having determined Elphaba wasn't a threat, turned back to the others, making some noises before he climbed up onto Elphaba's shoulders. The other monkeys approached, some climbing up onto the green woman as well.

"I figured you could use some company besides me," Purr said.

Elphaba managed to smile back, feeling a little less lonely.

At the sound of the key in the lock, Galinda looked up, seeing Nessa wheel into the room.

"Any luck with Morrible?" the blonde asked.

Nessa shrugged, closing the door behind her. "Not sure. She didn't seem entirely fazed while I was explaining the situation."

"What did you say?"

"Just that I would die without Elphaba."

"That's not true, is it?"

Nessa sighed, wheeling over to her bed. "I honestly don't know. I like to think that I can survive without my sister, but I have become such an invalid that I just don't know. I can only be so independent…"

Galinda frowned; this was not good news. Still, it wasn't like she had been expecting any, considering what had happened in the last few weeks.

"Have you heard anything else from Fiyero?" Nessa asked, changing the subject.

The blonde shook her head. "Nothing. I'm afraid of what he might be planning. He's just as headstrong and stubborn as Elphaba, and when you put them both in a situation like this… it doesn't bode well, to say the least."

A pause, and then, "Do you think Morrible is interested in Sarima because she's Vinkan?"

The Frottican scowled at that; why was Nessa so fixated on her? "I don't know."

Her tone, as well as her expression, did not go unnoticed. "You always sound bitter when I bring her up. What exactly transpired between you two?"

Galinda's grip on her textbook tightened. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, obviously it wasn't good, and you mentioned that Elphaba was looking out for you; the only thing I can imagine is that you used to date Sarima, which is something that certainly wouldn't have sat well with my sister."

"She was with Fiyero at the time…"

"Oh, I see." A pause. "Did she stop you from having sex with Sarima?"

The blonde flushed pink. "I… I was drunk…" she mumbled.

Nessa smiled slightly. "Elphaba fancied you for quite a while, it would seem."

Some incoherent mumbling came from the Frottican.

"She does love you, you know."

"Then why did she leave? And why can't I do anything to help her? Going to Morrible's sorcery seminar alone was hard enough…"

The younger Thropp sighed, wheeling over to where her roommate sat. "You know how Elphaba is… and if she could come back, you know she wouldn't hesitate to do so."

"Would she?"

Nessa pinched the blonde's arm, causing her to yelp. "Yes. She would," the brunette said firmly.

Galinda rubbed the spot with a sigh, knowing that Nessa was right, but it still didn't make the situation any easier.

"Morrible is definitely hiding something, and unless we can get it out of her, Elphaba is beyond our help," Nessa added.

"Then let's hope that Fiyero's plan, whatever it may be, works."

The south tower was filled with the sound of chattering, which while uncommon, was not unwelcome. Elphaba enjoyed having the company, even if the constant clambering and chattering of her primate companions made focusing on the Grimmerie rather difficult.

Chistery, as she had taken to calling the apparent leader, had chosen to remain perched on her shoulder, occasionally grooming her dark hair with his small paws. He had done it so often that Elphaba had been forced to take out her tight braid, leaving her raven hair down.

Purr was lying on the floor, his tail flicking lazily as he slept. One of the monkeys made a daring leap from his back to the green woman's knee, perching precariously.

"And what are you up to?" Elphaba asked as the monkey slid off her leg and onto the bed. Of course, none of them could respond, but the Munchkin found herself growing attached to them anyway (and very quickly too).

"Elphaba!"

The green woman froze at the familiar voice. Hoping it was nothing more than her imagination, she stood and peered out the window, her gaze falling on Fiyero.

"Fiyero… I told you to stay away!"

By now, the monkeys had grown silent, and Purr had awoken, getting to his feet upon sensing Elphaba's distress.

"Elphaba, I don't know what's going on, but I do know that you're my friend and you're in trouble."

The green woman shook her head. "Fiyero—"

"And if you don't let us in, I'll find a way in myself."

It was then that Elphaba noticed the army Fiyero had with him. This would not end well…

"Fiyero, I am begging you to leave before someone gets hurt."

The Vinkan prince sighed. "You brought this on yourself." He drew his sword before pointing at the entrance to Kiamo Ko. "Break down the doors!"

The tribe let out a yell before the first line came charging, spears ready.

"No, don't—"

There was the sound of crackling magic, soon followed by flying bodies as the men were thrown back.

Fiyero dove out of the way, hearing his men hit the ground. "What in Oz's name…"

"I told you: I can't leave. Now please go," Elphaba called.

The Vinkan understood then that the green woman had either been magicked in, or had done so herself. Still, he would not be deterred so easily. "I am not leaving without you!" He turned to the second line. "Scale the tower!"

The men came forward, tying rope to their arrows before they fired. Elphaba raised her hands in defense as one arrow came at her through the open window. It missed her by inches before becoming lodged in a ceiling beam.

"No… I can't let them in." The green witch had just summoned a fireball when she noticed the monkeys jumping onto the rope, making their way down towards Fiyero's men.

"I might have forgotten to mention that they can become aggressive," Purr said, approaching the Munchkin.

"Apparently so…" Elphaba agreed as she watched the monkeys attack and terrorize Fiyero's men.

As for the Vinkan prince, he could tell he was fighting a losing battle. He gripped his swords, looking up at Elphaba, but the green woman was wearing an icy expression. "Fall back!" Fiyero ordered, sheathing his weapon.

Elphaba watched as the men retreated, and soon, it was silent.

"We have successfully driven them off," Purr said.

"Only for now… this isn't the end." Elphaba turned away from the window, wrapping her arms around herself. "More people will come… why can't I just be left alone? I went away to protect everyone I love… Morrible said this would be the best way."

Morrible. Of course; this had been her plan all along, hadn't it? She had no intention of helping Elphaba control her magic. She had just wanted her out of the picture, tucked away where she couldn't cause any trouble.

"How could I have been so blind?"

"I don't understand," Purr said, watching the green woman pace.

"Morrible trapped me here to get me out of the picture; whatever she is planning can only mean trouble…" An idea was beginning to work its way into the green woman's mind. "I have to become dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"Eventually what happened here will get back to Morrible, and if she believes me to be dangerous… she'll come back."

By now, the monkeys had returned, and Elphaba turned to look at them.

"What are you thinking?" Purr asked.

"I'm thinking the witch is about to assemble an army."

"Higher, Miss Galinda, and keep it level."

Galinda scowled, but focused on levitating the carriage higher. For a moment or two, she entertained the notion of dropping the darn thing on Morrible's head, but had decided against it. Her gaze fell on Grommetik, who had just entered and was approaching the headmistress.

"Ah, thank you," Morrible said, taking the letter from him. Her eyes scanned the page before narrowing. "Miss Galinda, we will have to cut our lesson short today."

"Why?" The carriage dropped to the floor, causing the room to shake. "Is it about Elphaba?"

"It is none of your concern—"

"If it's about Elphaba, then I feel it is very much my concern!"

Morrible's expression was stony. "It would appear as though Master Fiyero attempted a siege on Kiamo Ko and failed, losing several of his men in the process. Miss Elphaba has found it amusing to… taunt me, as it were, daring me to send someone else."

Galinda felt her chest tighten. "Elphaba… she didn't… kill them…?"

"It does not say."

The blonde began to shake, both out of fear and anger. "I knew something like this would happen… you have to get her out of there!"

"Miss Galinda, we must remain calm—"

"Don't you tell me to remain calm!"

The carriage suddenly shot across the room, smashing into the wall.

"Elphaba is in trouble, and if you won't help her, then I will!"

Morrible's expression did not change. "I will handle this situation. You will remain at Shiz." The headmistress turned and left, signaling that the conversation was over, but Galinda had a feeling that the war had only just begun.

"Why have you returned? Haven't you a school to tend to?"

Morrible nodded as she approached. "I have news concerning your daughter."

The Wizard's expression softened a bit. "Elphaba?" He looked away. "She wants nothing to do with me."

"That may be true, but I believe she is in very grave danger."

"Why do you say that?"

"After what happened here with her mother, Miss Elphaba slipped into a… well, you could call it a depression of sorts. Her magic became unstable and uncontrollable, and I feared for her safety, as well as that of Miss Galinda."

"She does love her…"

"Exactly why I recommended that Miss Elphaba be sent away someplace where she could learn to control her magic without hurting anyone, but I fear that this plan may have backfired on me."

"What has Elphaba done now?"

"I believe she has become very dangerous, not only to herself, but to the entire land of Oz. She seems to be taking on a new persona… that being a witch."

The Wizard wrung his hands nervously, his eyes looking sad. "I love Elphaba… but she explicitly expressed that I stay out of her life."

"If you really love your daughter, you will save her from causing her own demise."

Oscar sighed. Finally, he said, "What must be done?"

Morrible hid the smirk that threatened to cross her face. "Currently, Miss Elphaba is trapped within the walls of Kiamo Ko by a binding spell. I believe that the best approach will be to lay siege to the castle and capture her, eliminating any defenses she may have placed down."

"You want me to place my daughter under arrest for a second time?"

"Only for her own protection… and only long enough for me to strip her of her magic. I believe it has become too much for her."

"Is that a process she will survive?"

"Miss Elphaba is strong; I do not believe it will be a problem."

There was a long stretch of silence before the Wizard nodded. "I will have my men ready to leave by dawn."