(A/N: Hihi. Elphie here. Lol. Anyhu, this is the last chapter of this story. And I am deciding to dedicate it to greengirl16 because she reviewed the previous chapter and many more before that. Also, I'd like to thank liz1015 because she answered one of the questions in the only other author's note I did for this story, which proves that she is the only one that reads authors notes anyway! Thank you liz1015 and greengirl16. Enjoy! p.s - reviews are loved! wink wink)
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Elphaba opened the door to her room and found Lucas and Galinda kissing in a....uh, less than appropriate way. They didn't even look up when the door opened.
"Is this a bad time?" asked Elphaba, laughing at the startled and confused on Galinda's face.
"Oh, Elphie, you're back!" Galinda cried, running past Lucas and hugging Elphaba. Galinda turned to Lucas as she continued, "Lulu, look! Elphie's back!" she said as though Lucas were mentally slow.
"I can see that." Lucas grinned. Was it just him? Or did Elphaba seem even more beautiful? He supposed that's what love did. Love makes one happier, and when one's happier, they get even lovelier. He gave Elphaba an awkward hug, as Galinda was still attached to her. Elphaba smiled at them.
"I for one am glad to be back." Elphaba said, "I missed you Lin."
"I know you did!" Galinda giggled, "Where's Fiyero?"
"He went to his dorm to unpack." said Elphaba.
"Lulu, I love you, but you need to go. I need to talk to Elphie about girly stuff." said Galinda, ushering Lucas out of the dorm. Once Lucas was gone, Galinda turned back to Elphaba.
"Now, you have to tell me all about the Vinkus!" said Galinda.
"Oh, can't I read my letter first?" said Elphaba.
"I've got your letter hidden in a very secret place, and you can't read it until me all about your trip!" said Galinda.
"Nice hiding place." said Elphaba, nodding at the letter on Galinda's desk, in plain sight. Galinda blushed, and then they were both running for the letter. Galinda (being closer) got to the letter first and kept it away from Elphaba.
"Ugh, c'mon Lin, I want to read it!" said Elphaba, making a grab for the letter, but missing. Galinda threw the letter like a Frisbee across the room, it flew through the open bathroom door. Galinda quickly rushed to close and lock the door. She stood guard at the door.
"Gossip!" Galinda ordered.
"Alright, he showed me the castle, the amazing library (Galinda rolled her eyes at this, and Elphaba rolled her eyes at Galinda's eye rolling and continued), we looked at a picture album of him, we went ice skating (Galinda went 'Awe!'), he sang a song for me (Galinda went 'Oooh'), I met Brian, we cooked and stuff, we went on this yacht (Galinda said, 'A yacht?!') and saw Dolphins and stuff and yeah, we spent time together (Galinda wiggled her eyebrows suggestively)." Elphaba finished, "Can I see my letter now?!"
"Oh fine, but I want more details next time!" Galinda declared. She began to turn around as slowly as she could. Then she turned the lock as slowly as she could. Then she creaked the door open....as slowly as she could. Elphaba quickly opened the door herself and grabbed the letter which had landed on the counter. She quickly went back to her desk and opened the letter, as fast she could. Galinda bounced around Elphaba, trying to read what it said, but she couldn't reach the letter. Elphaba quickly read the letter.
To Miss Elphaba Thropp,
Wonderful! I've been meaning to find someone talented enough to be my Grand Vizier. I haven't come across anyone nearly talented enough. Madame Morrible has been keeping me updated on your progress and I believe you are ready to prove yourself. I could really use a talented young sorceress like yourself. I've arranged for you a private appointment with me at the Emerald Palace. You shall come to the palace at 1:00 pm. Your train leaves for the Emerald City at 10:30 am three days earlier, so you'll have plenty of time to site-see before meeting me. Congratulations, and I cannot wait to meet you.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
"The Wizard wants to meet me!" Elphaba exclaimed, "He said he could really use a talented young sorceress like me." She couldn't believe this was happening. Would working with the Wizard stop all of the Animal banns? Would people accept her now? Because after all, once you're with the Wizard no one thinks you're strange. Perhaps her father might even come to accept her and be proud of her.
"Elphie, this is so wonderful!" Galinda bounced, tearing the letter from Elphaba shocked hands and reading it herself.
"Galinda, you've always wanted to go to the Emerald City, why don't you come with me?! I go three days early, and I will be so bored by myself..." said Elphaba.
"Me?" asked Galinda, "You'd really want me to come with you? Wouldn't you rather ask Fiyero?"
"No, I want you to come Galinda." said Elphaba, "You deserve this as much I do."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Galinda squealed, "Oh, I must begin packing!" she quickly went to her wardrobe to pack.
"I'll be back in a sec, I'm going to go tell Fiyero." she said.
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Elphaba knocked on Fiyero's door, trying hard to keep still, her body was shaking with excitement. Fiyero opened the door somewhat surprised, but he flashed her his most charming smile.
"Missed me that much?" he teased.
"Fiyero, the Wizard has invited me to his Palace to be his Grand Vizier. I have to prove myself, but I'm sure that won't be a problem. I leave for the Emerald City tomorrow. I'll be gone for three days, and--" Elphaba was talking so fast, the only thing Fiyero registered was that Elphaba would be gone for three days.
"Wait, you're leaving? Why?!" asked Fiyero, panicking.
"To meet the Wizard!" Elphaba exclaimed. Fiyero suddenly registered the rest of what she had said, and he smiled at her.
"Elphaba, are you serious? You're going to be the Grand Vizier? That's amazing. I'm so happy for you Fabala!" said Fiyero.
"I know!" said Elphaba. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him quickly, blushing slightly, "Galinda's going to come with me to meet him. I think she deserves to meet him as much as I do."
"That's very kind of you to invite Galinda." said Fiyero, "But three days Elphaba. How will I survive?"
"Maybe you and Lucas can work on that friendship thing I talked to you about." Elphaba suggested, "I'll be back before you have a chance to miss me."
"I already miss you." said Fiyero, "You know I missed you for the grand 20 minutes I was here in my dorm and you were in your dorm."
"If it's any help, I missed you too, and I will miss you while I'm gone." said Elphaba, "My train leaves at 10:30 tomorrow, you'll see me off?" said Elphaba.
"Of course." said Fiyero.
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The next day at the train station, it was bittersweet for Elphaba and Fiyero. Fiyero and Elphaba were both so happy she'd gotten her chance to meet the Wizard, but yet, they didn't want to be separated.
"Three days." Elphaba promised, "I'll be back soon."
"Three days," said Fiyero, "Three days with you is too short, it's a second. Three days without you is too long, like years." Fiyero pulled her close for a farewell kiss. They made the kiss last as long as they could until they heard the last whistle in the background. They rested their foreheads against each others.
"I'll miss you." he said.
"And I'll miss you." she said, she pulled away to board the train. Fiyero suddenly felt as though he was letting her go with an unfinished goodbye. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"I love you."
"I love you too." they shared one more kiss before Elphaba finally had to force herself to leave and boarded the train. Galinda was sitting in the window seat, waving at Lucas. Fiyero watched until he could no longer see the train.
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"Announce yourselves." said the loud booming voice coming from the giant metal head that twisted and jerked with each word.
"Elphaba Thropp and Galinda Upland." said Elphaba fearlessly while Galinda hid behind her.
"Of the Upper Uplands." Galinda added in a squeaky voice.
"Oh, Elphaba, it's you." said a male voice, so unlike the bold booming one she'd heard only a moment ago. The giant metal head slumped forward and the lights around it flickered off. A man appeared coming from behind the head.
"Hello. I'm am the Wonderful Wizard of Oz." he introduced himself grandly, though Elphaba could not find much grandness in this old man.
"You?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Yep." said the Wizard. Elphaba did not judge the Wizard on how he looked, but she was a little disappointed. She'd imagined someone grand and wonderful, something like that giant head she'd seen so alive and real only a few moments ago, not this stout little old man. But she knew better than anyone that looks often misguide people.
"It's an honor to meet you sir." said Elphaba.
"I know it is." said Wizard.
"Oh yes sir, a great honor." Galinda added, to make her presence known to the Wizard.
"Thank you Miss Upland." said the Wizard. Galinda beamed. The Wizard then turned his attention back to Elphaba.
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All she could hear was the painful screams of the monkey lying before her on the floor. He was writhing in pain. Sudden there was a flash of light and the monkey's skin tore open at his back as two large black wings seemed to sprout from his back. Elphaba stumbled back in fright. The monkey continued to scream and writhe until he suddenly stopped and stood still, a pained expression still clearly visible on his face.
"Amazing." said Wizard muttered.
"Quick, how do I change him back?!" asked Elphaba desperately.
"You can't," said Morrible, laying greedy eyes on Elphaba. Oh the power this girl possessed! "Once a spell is cast, it cannot be removed."
"What?!" Elphaba cried, "I never meant for this to happen. I didn't mean to--"
"It's alright," said the Wizard, "This is exactly what was supposed to happen." he pulled back a tapestry to reveal hundreds of monkey's in one giant cage, flying about with their new wings. Elphaba's jaw dropped. She had done this to all of them? Wait, the Wizard was holding monkey's in cages....
"It's you!" Elphaba screamed, pointing an accusing finger at the Wizard, "You're the one who's been stripping Animals of their rights!"
"Well, it's just not natural! Talking Animals?"
"Well flying monkeys aren't natural, I'll tell you that!" Elphaba screeched.
"Elphaba dear, these monkeys will make perfect spies, they can fly about Oz and report any talking Animals," said the Wizard, "It's wonderful! Good job!"
"Good job?!" Elphaba shrieked, "I—I will not be a part of this!" She grabbed the Grimmerie and ran out of the throne room, running up stairs and stairs, flight after flight. Galinda ran after her. Oh, this was not good. Elphaba didn't seem to notice Galinda was following her until they reached the attic, there were no more stairs left. The Gale Force could be heard clumping up after them. Elphaba quickly slammed the door shut behind them and barricaded it with an old broom. She then began to pace about, throwing the Grimmerie to the floor.
"Elphie!" Galinda screeched, "Why couldn't you just stay calm for once? Instead flying off the handle! I hope you're happy. I hope you're happy now. I hope you're happy how you've ruined your cause forever, I hope you think you're clever!"
"Well I hope you're happy!" Elphaba shouted back, "I hope you're happy how you'd grovel in submission to feed your own ambition!" Galinda was about to make a comeback, when they heard a loud booming voice overhead. They both froze.
"Citizens of Oz, there is a terror among us, a Wicked Witch! She has mutilated these poor monkeys! She can be recognized by her green skin. Believe not a word she says, for she is Wicked!" Both girls were silent as the voice faded away. Finally, Galinda took a step closer to Elphaba and grabbed her hand.
"Elphie!" Galinda pleaded, "Just, say you're sorry! You can still be with the Wizard! Isn't that what you've been working and waiting for? You can have all you've ever wanted!"
"I know." Elphaba said softly, "But I don't want it. I can't want it anymore." Galinda understood, and she could not ask her friend to throw aside her cause, just for the sake of her own title. Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door. The Gale Force had caught up with them, and that door wouldn't hold for long.
"I'll get us out of here," Elphaba muttered frantically. She fell to her knees in front of the Grimmerie and flipped through it. She finally stopped on a page and began chanting. Galinda was afraid. What if this spell went terribly wrong? What would happen? There was another loud bang, and Elphaba stumbled over the words, that could not have been good. Spells had to be cast perfectly to work just right. As the doors burst open, there was a bright flash of white light. Galinda screamed in surprise. She felt herself being pulled, as though by some invisible force. The attic began to fade away, until all she could see was this amazing white light. Suddenly, Galinda fell forward, but she didn't fall on anything, she just kept falling and falling. The white light turned a vibrant purple and she continued to fall through the tunnel made of purple light. She turned her head and saw that Elphaba was beside her, falling as well. Galinda felt as though she'd been falling for ages, and there was no way of knowing when she would stop and this wretched tunnel would end.
Elphaba knew something was wrong the moment she stammered over the words. The spell was supposed to take her and Galinda back to Shiz, but now, she had no idea where this spell was taking her and all she could do was fall through this tunnel. She could not tell if she was falling down, or perhaps up, or sideways or whether or not it would end. She suddenly felt her energy begin to drain her. Two spells in one day really was not good for her body, she began to lose consciousness. She felt herself slip away. The last thing she remembered was a hand slipping into hers as she continued to fall.....
The End of Living or Enduring
To be Continued..............
A/N : Well, I hope you enjoyed this fic, this is the end of this as you can see. There will be a sequel and it shall be a crossover story with RENT. Thank you to all that read this, favorited, alerted and took the time to write those lovely reviews. I shall thank the following for consistent (or somewhat consistent, mostly people who reviewed more than once) reviews:
gilgrissomlover, TillITryIllNeverKnow, liz1015, jenfalovesjaffas, greengirl16, WickedIsMyCrack (who used to go by a different pen name I believe), musicfan1207, Happy loving Heroes, elphieT, xEastEndersFan4Lifex, EbonyEyez, JesseMac Girl the Flinda Freak, Elphaba1fan, elphie-the-wicked, emorocks91, LaurenneTiggular, GreenBabiesRule and elphaba-thropp.
THANK YOU! Or as my people would say, XIE XIE! Ni shi hao ren! (it's chinese): it means you are all really good people.
And thanks to everyone else. (if I forgot someone, I am really sorry :)...)