A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong. Thanks so much for reading!


Chapter 22

"Why would Zhou do that?" Elphaba asked.

"He doesn't trust humans. Saw this as our only way out of where we came from. He probably figured…" the young dragon didn't get a chance to finish the thought as Zhou lunged for him. Bonescraper cut in front of him knocking him down.

"Get the Princess out of here! He's mine!" Bonescraper barked. Altan scooped up Elphaba and her broom and headed for the Palace walls. Lieutenant Bahram ordered the bell sounded and the troops quickly manned the walls – the sound of their guns cocking was deafening but it did not stop the great mythical creatures from fighting. The other dragons backed away wanting no part of what was happening.

"Steady men!" Fiyero ordered. Altan landed just below the parapet and set Elphaba down.

"Their guns won't do much," Altan spoke up.

"No but the point is to keep the fight out there. This spills over these walls…" Fiyero let that thought hang there.

"Point taken," the senior Griffin nodded.

"Why do the others not join in?" Kelebek wondered.

"A fight of the alphas. They will not join in. Once there is a victor, then they will follow him. Or…" Altan heaved a sigh.

"Or they'll turn on the winner and then us," Zara spoke up.

"On the nosy young Duchess," Bahadir said.

"This just keeps getting better and better," Queen Ayla shook her head.

"We're in the middle of it but perhaps we don't have to be," Queen Zixi was having a thought.

"What do you mean?" Elphaba gave her a look.

"You are the Dragon Lord. You can order them to stop. You can also banish Zhou. He has broken the covenant that he entered into with the letter I sent," Zixi pointed out.

"But would that really stop him? The last thing we need is him setting the Gillikin on fire as he's leaving," Elphaba said.

"Point but he cannot disobey your orders," Lale spoke up.

"So, if I craft my wording…" the Princess narrowed her eyes. She was about to speak up when Bonescraper pinned Zhou to the ground. He sat upon the other dragon's chest; his clawed hand wrapped around Zhou's throat.

"Enough!" Elphaba shouted in dragon. Everyone froze, the dragons turning toward the Princess.

"Zhou! You broke the covenant into which you entered! You are hereby banished from Oz and Ix! You will leave both countries immediately and in the condition you found them in! Disobey me and Bonescraper has permission to make your exit not only of these countries but of this world – do I make myself clear?!" Elphaba had given her orders. Bonescraper moved off of Zhou and pulled the dragon from the ground by his throat. He glared at him before he let him go. Zhou looked at Elphaba. Her powers crackled at her fingertips and he could see the troops at the wall smirk.

"I suggest you do as the Princess says. You don't want to see her when she's angry," Bonescraper told him.

"Ruled by a woman whose skin matches our scales. You think that makes you strong?" Zhou gave him a look.

"I am stronger for knowing Princess Elphaba. We all are. Look at the respect she commands. It is not because she's a Princess – it is because she respects every single being that she comes across. You had a chance to earn that respect and you threw it away. So, go now and do not come back," Bonescraper said. Zhou gave him a look and took to the skies.

"Follow him and make sure he leaves," Elphaba said. Bonescraper nodded and followed the dragon and the Griffins all lifted off to help the dragon out.

"So, you think that did the trick?" Zixi asked.

"I have my doubts," Elphaba frowned.

To Be Continued…