A/N: It's midnight, but my computer won't shut up making noises so I can't sleep anyhow.
Disclaimer: Not mine, some of the dialogue either, but I think just part of when Fiyero's in there with the guard peoples isn't mine.
"Does that mean you'll join me?" the Wizard asks. I look up from my crouched position. I am pathetic.
"Maybe," I whisper. I'm not entirely out of myself yet.
"Elphaba, you could have your old life back- better! You'd be beloved by all of Oz, and so would I. Imagine- the Wicked Witch had a change of heart and joined the benevolent Wizard in his quest against evil."
Would he be offended if I threw up? "Elphaba, you'll be celebrated, wonderful- there'll be celebrations throughout Oz, all to do with you!"
I close my eyes, and immediately all sorts of crazy thoughts condense in my head. I try my best, in my befuddled, sleep-deprived, state, to weigh this choice. I've worked against the Wizard for three years and only caused pain and heartache. What is there to lose?
Integrity. Loyalty. Conscience. Yourself. Oh, shut up, inner voice! I'm too tired to listen to you right now!
Probably unfortunately, my inner voice obeys.
"I- I guess so," I manage tremulously. I hate myself. I am not this weak. I am better than this! Come on, Elphaba, get up! I struggle to my feet. Oh, God, I need to sleep. Elphaba, don't just agree to this, some fragment of intelligence tells me. You have control of this situation. I mentally snort. Fine, some control. A modicum. Use it!
"I'll join you, on one condition," I say.
"What?"
"Free the monkeys. All of them."
"Oh, all right," says the Wizard, like a kindly old uncle pretending to begrudge a favorite niece's request, when really he is delighted to grant it. My head hurts even more. He is the enemy…but he's so kind…that voice is so soothing…he could be like my father…I could just relax and let go and let him take care of everything…
"Elphaba, you can go ahead and let them out," he says, and I find myself obeying. This worries me, but since it's what I was going to do anyway, I don't resist. I open cages, pull off sheets and blankets, until-
"Dr. Dillamond?" I gasp in horror as the professor stumbles out from beneath the sheet I've just pulled and falls. I drop to my knees beside him, and he draws away as if in fear…of me…
"Dr. Dillamond, don't you remember me? It's me, Elphaba…" He shies away, and I can't help it, but I'm crying again.
"Dr. Dillamond- can't you- can't you speak?"
He baahs at me. My head drops into my hands, my shoulders heave with more tears than could possibly be contained in my body. Dr. Dillamond pulls himself up and runs off.
"Elphaba, you have to understand, we couldn't continue to let him speak out," says the Wizard. Suddenly, electricity seems to fill me, to revive me. I stand slowly, every pore of me exuding hatred for him. He is the monstrosity! Not me.
"I am nothing like you, and I never will be, and I will fight you until the day I die!" I scream at him. I try to run, but something holds me in place.
"Guards!" screams the Wizard from behind his great mask, and they pour into the room. Fiyero is at their head.
"Fiyero," I gasp.
"You," he says, without emotion. "I don't believe it."
"Fiyero, I-"
"Silence, witch!" he screams at me. My stomach twists, I duck my head. I cannot look at him. How can they have fooled even him so thoroughly? Does Glinda believe their lies too? Does she hate me, as well? Is this fight worth fighting at all?