Disclaimer (Which was forgotten for Chapter 2)/Authors Note: All original characters belong to me while all others belong to Gregory Maguire, Frank Baum and MGM Studios etc. etc. etc. Also, this chapter has slight crossovers from book world to musical world so brace yourselves for chapter 3 of my first Wicked FanFic.

Chapter 3: Plans

Avaric and Shell were waiting in the throne room with Liir for their gracious, yet lush, host to make an appearance. They were mingling with William for about 15 minutes when a trumpet was sounded in a flourish.

"Gentleman, may I present to you Empress Glinda," William strongly dictated.

Glinda moved toward the two men whom would be head of two thirds of the search party slowly and elegantly. Her dress moved like a wave and her eyes sparkled more than her diamond earrings. In other words, she was flawless.

"Where's Boq?" She politely asked the two.

They both resounded in a unanimous "We don't know," and Glinda began to think she might have to form a search party for Boq. Suddenly, the large emerald doors to the throne room and Boq began to enter. He held both large doors as he came in and he was followed, to Glinda's surprise by his wife Milla and all his children.

"Why, hello Boq. How are you and why, out of curiosity is your entire family with you?"

"Well how's that for a hello. Don't you have a little respect or sense of hospitality for your invited guests?" Milla said in a stern and sharp tone.

"What do you mean invited? I only invited Boq. I wasn't expecting the whole brigade. Let's forget this little spat hmm? Now will you please tell me why your whole family is here Boq" Emphasizing Boq so not to get another rude comment out of Milla, who had not been introduced yet.

"Glinda," Boq said calmly, "I want you to meet my wife Milla, and these are, of course, my children. They have accompanied me to the Emerald City for a short vacation to celebrate my daughter, Rikla's eighth birthday tomorrow and I was hoping you would treat them to a wonderful celebration about the town. I was hoping to celebrate the birthday with the family, but Fiyero must be found immediately before he's stolen by the moonlight and disappears from us forever. Oh if only, Elphie was here today."

"Ah," Glinda said, "But alas she isn't, and name me one reason why I should paint the town ruby with your family."

"Because Glinda, we're friends, and if you've forgotten you still owe me a favor from the Oz Dust."

"You know Boq. The trouble with fools is they always try to… whatever. I know I'm not as elegant as Fiyero so I won't try to be Boq. Fine I'll teach your family about the Dancing Through Life Philosophy and paint the town red. Now that Wizimania is over, it's slightly quieter to the point where I can show them the town. After all, I do owe you one for Nessa."

"Yes you do and… thank you Glinda."

"You're very welcome Boq. Well now Boq family. Who wants to get the Dorothy Gale treatment?"

"I do! I do!." Rikla said

"Very well, tomorrow you will be treated like a queen. You'll see horses of a different color, get your hair done. Manicures. Pedicures. Ooh it's so exciting now I can't wait!"

"Now now Glinda. We don't want you going and making young Rikla into your next project like you did Elphie."

"What? How did you find out about that?"

"Come on Glinda, one day Elphie was, you know, ratty old Elphie and the next she was on her way to becoming, dare I say it, popular. We all knew it was you who did that to her, and I don't want you making Rikla your new Elphie."

"All right. Rikla, would you like to go dancing, shopping and then have a big chocolate birthday cake at the most swankified restaurant in town, the Oz Café?"

"Ummm, Glinda," said Milla in a softer tone.

"Yes, Milla?."

"Rikla's allergic to chocolate"

"Oh dear. That is an unfortunate predicament. That has got to be the worst allergy I've ever heard… Oh wait never mind. That's right. Elphie + Water Death. Yea, I nearly forgot about that. Well good thing the Oz Café will make a cake any way you like it and I'll do my best to make your one short day one of the best you've ever had. I'll even take you to the tallest building in the city which is two Quoxwood Trees high."

"Oh my," said Milla, "That sounds both exquisite and exciting. Now I can't wait."

"Who can wait?"

"We can't wait," said the children

"You're vacation reminds me of when Elphie and I came here for the first time. Our one short day turned out to be the last I'd see of her for quite a while. Oh how I miss her, but to the current matter of Fiyero."

"Yes Empress," said Boq, Avaric, Shell and Liir simultaneously.

"We shall begin the search tomorrow morning as it is already dusk. Now, your search teams have been provided from the best of the Ozian army. Let's just hope we're not attacked while searching for our favorite Winky prince." They all chuckled and then Glinda continued, "Now, I don't think he would have found his way into the Vinkus already, but I'm going to send a search party of winged monkeys to search that area just in case. Boq, I want you to take Liir and search Gillikin and Shiz. Avaric, you get the Glikkus. And last, but certainly not least, Shell, I want you to take Munchkinland, as you know it so well."

"But what about Quadling Country," Shell asked

"I forgot about Quadling Country Shell. Thank you, the flying monkeys will be split in half with half of them taking the Vinkus, and the other will take Quadling Country. Now everyone get some sleep, we have a big day ahead of us, especially you Rikla. Everyone, William will send you a wake up call at 7 o'clock. Breakfast begins promptly at 8 and the search parties will depart no later than 9:30. Good Luck Everyone.

"Oh, I just can't wait. Dancing Through Life and cake to top it off," Rikla said

They all departed to their quarters and awaited the sun to rise. The next morning, the sun slowly rose and created the most beautiful image Rikla had ever seen. She looked out of her window, which had a great view, and saw the sun glitter against the emerald buildings of the Emerald City. As the sun rose, the buildings sparkled more brightly and Rikla thought it might have been brighter than Dorothy's shoes. Even though she was only three when Dorothy visited, Rikla remembered those shoes well. They were tight on Dorothy's feet. The rubies sparkled against the yellow brick road and they too glittered during sunrise. The shoes were perfect for Dorothy, and although they were made for Nessarose, and belonged to Elphaba, ssemed destined to be worn by Oz's favorite girl. Rikla was now eight and was ready to begin dancing through life (just not at the Oz Dust).