Note: I do not own any of these characters except for Keahn. The remaining are the property of Gregory Maguire.
The Wizard of Oz paced around his throne room. "That green nuisance has outwitted me for the last time!" he fumed. "How could I have been so blind? I should have known she wouldn't trust me." He walked over to his throne and sat with his face in his hands. "There must be some way to get my hands on that book. Oh, the power I would have!"
An eerie cackle filled the room. "You wouldn't know what to do with the Grimmerie even if you had it," the strong voice echoed in the vast chamber. The Wizard leapt to his feet.
"Who dares to enter the chamber of the Wizard of Oz uninvited?" he demanded. Elphaba emerged from the shadows. "Of course it would be you. Who else would plague my existence?"
"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint you. I know my presence brings you great joy. That is what you live for, isn't it? Making other people happy keeps your reign of terror alive," she retorted.
"Why do we have to keep antagonizing each other? I have something you want, you have something I want, let's just make a trade and have done with it. Isn't a musty book a small price to pay for your son?"
"Have you learned nothing from sparring with me? First of all, you cannot guilt me. I do that just fine on my own. Secondly, it's not that simple. What I want will cause no harm. However, the object you desire will cause unpredictable mayhem."
The Wizard heaved a heavy sigh. "I can't read the ancient writing, Elphaba. You know that."
"Exactly. When the spells are not incanted properly, there is no telling what will come of it. Are you really willing to risk that, Father." Elphaba spit the last word out like acid. It sizzled in the air between them.
"Elphaba…my dear child, I am an old man. I have been searching for that book my entire life. Couldn't I possess it for the little time that's left?" The Wizard's pleading nauseated her.
"You are and forever will be a monster. Kidnapping your own grandson and putting on the 'woe–is-me' routine will not turn this confrontation in your favor," Elphaba informed him. "Either you hand over my son, or you will leave me no choice but to fight you."
The Wizard roared with laughter. "You are a foolish girl for coming here alone. Especially when you are making threats," he scoffed.
He sat in his throne with a smug look on his face. Suddenly, his features twisted in fear. A spear flew straight at him. It pierced his top hat, pinning it against the back of the throne. The color drained from the Wizard's face leaving him pale and ghostly. Fiyero and Keahn emerged from hiding.
"I take it back. Your aim is perfect," Fiyero told Keahn.
While the Wizard struggled to gain his composure, Elphaba approached the throne. She gestured to Fiyero and Keahn. "Who said I was alone?"
The Wizard's mouth flapped wordlessly, resembling a fish. Finally, he found his voice. "You are all fools for invading the palace of the great and powerful Oz!" he sputtered. "Guards!"
Two guards rushed in and held Elphaba captive. They roughly gripped her arms. Elphaba always hated the brick red uniforms. They seemed to represent the blood spilled for the Wizard's senseless campaigns to increase his control. She was reminded of Dr. Dillamond's blood as it congealed on his slit throat. She swallowed back the tide of nausea. Seven more arrived and surrounded Fiyero and Keahn. Fiyero leaned toward Keahn and said, "Hmmm…seven to two. It doesn't seem fair."
"You're right. You want to wait until more guards show up or should we start now?"
Elphaba began struggling to free herself from the vice-like grip of her captors.
"Stop squirming, Witch!" bellowed one of the guards. He twisted her arm behind her back. She yelped in pain and sank to her knees. Keahn's question was instantly answered. Fiyero charged at the guards in a blind rage. He shoved them out of the way and tried to reach Elphaba.
One of the guards released his grip and attempted to stop the enraged Fiyero, but failed miserably. Fiyero tackled the guard, knocking the wind out of him. He kicked the guard down the stairs and raced down them to finish the job. Elphaba managed to wiggle free from the remaining guard.
She ran to help Fiyero, but was tripped by the guard. "Let's see you defy gravity now, Witch," he mocked. Elphaba was sent reeling down the steps and into Fiyero's arms.
"Nice of you to drop in," he joked before seeing the pain in his love's eyes. He gently set her down on the floor and raced up the steps. He picked the guard up by the collar of his uniform.
"If you EVER touch my wife like that again, I will make damn sure you'll never be able to do it to anyone else," he threatened in a dangerous tone.
"You're married to THAT?" the guard sneered, obviously not comprehending the gravity of his situation. That was the last straw. Fiyero hurled the guard down the staircase to join his comrade.
While Fiyero tended to Elphaba, Keahn took care of the remaining guards. He picked up a large map of Oz which was rolled up in a metal tube.
"Who wants to be the hero?" he asked sarcastically. A daring, young guard charged at him. Keahn swung the tube with all his might and delivered a heavy blow to the guard's stomach. The guard immediately dropped to his knees, gasping for air. The remaining six formed a circle around Keahn. One grabbed him from behind in an attempt to stop him.
"You guys just don't get it yet, do you?" he laughed. He swung the tube around once more and sent two more guards flying. He leaned back and flung the guard over his shoulder. The guard went flying into the other three guards.
"You guys are out of shape. I didn't even break a sweat," Keahn scolded.
When the guards regained their senses, they quickly retreated. "Imbeciles! Cowards!" the Wizard shouted at his fleeing troops. Keahn proceeded to where Fiyero was examining Elphaba's back.
"That was a bad fall you took, Fae."
"How bad is it?" she asked. Her green skin was marred by an ugly, black bruise.
"It looks pretty bad. I'm going to press lightly on it. Let me know when it hurts," Fiyero told her. He lightly brushed his fingers along the offended area. Elphaba whimpered and bit her lip. Fiyero carefully buttoned her dress. "I'll take care of that when we get back," he said. Elphaba could only nod her head. The bruise was still throbbing painfully.
Fiyero stood and faced the Wizard. "Release my son," he demanded firmly. The Wizard merely laughed.
"The Arjiki prince dares to make demands of the Wizard of Oz," scoffed the Wizard.
Keahn positioned himself in front of Fiyero and brandished his spear, which he had retrieved earlier. "Release the boy or you will have to deal with me," Keahn threatened.
"You have no power to threaten me," the Wizard said.
"If you insist on doing this the hard way we will find the boy ourselves," Keahn informed him.
Elphaba had pulled the Grimmerie out of her satchel and was skimming its pages in the hopes of finding a solution. Fiyero watched her quizzically. She finally stopped on a page and focused. Softly, the chant rolled off her tongue. It flowed as smooth and fluid as a river. It grew louder and more intense until a strange thing happened. The Wizard's eyes glazed over, and he looked sleepy.
"Let's hope this works," she said to herself. She looked directly at the Wizard. "Sit," she commanded. To Keahn's amazement, the Wizard promptly sat in his throne.
"Stand." The Wizard obeyed.
Elphaba's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Twirl like a ballerina."
The Wizard lifted his arms over his head and twirled. Fiyero kissed Elphaba's forehead.
"You've done it again!"
Elphaba smiled before continuing. "Take us to Liir."
The Wizard walked toward a side door. "Come on!" said Elphaba as she struggled to her feet. Fiyero helped her up, and the three companions followed the Wizard out the door.
