1Disclaimer: Alrighty! This is not mine at all whatsoever. If you don't like un-originality than skip around and find an original one. I hope you like the title. When my friend read it she couldn't stop laughing. But that's just her I guess . . .

Chapter 12: Wonderful? Ha!

Elphaba landed in the Emerald City near the palace. She saw Fiyero and chased after him, but only to lose him around a corner. With a dejected sigh she stormed into the palace, entering the wizard's grand room.

The little man came forward to greet her, but she held her broom out dangerously. "You know why I'm here," she snarled. "You let those monkeys go!"

She and the wizard conversed heatedly. It was obvious he was frightened, and it made Elphaba feel good. He began spinning his life's tale for her, then snatched the broom away when she was off guard. She raised her hand furiously, ready to strike him with lightning.

"See, I never had any children of my own. So I guess I just wanted to give the citizens of Oz- everything."

"So you lied to them." Elphaba snipped. Yeah, that was the way to solve everything. Lying.

The wizard shook his head. "Elphaba, where I'm from we believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it history."

Elphaba put her head to the side. History? Wasn't that supposed to be facts about the past?

The wizard shrugged. "A man's called a traitor or liberator. A rich man's a thief, or philanthropist. Is one- a crusader- a ruthless invader? It's all in which label is able to persist. There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities. So we act as though they don't exist." He swelled, making himself look twice as big as he was. "They call me wonderful! So I am wonderful. In fact, it's so much of who I am it's part of my name, and with my help you can be the same!"

Elphaba started as he seized her hand. What?

The wizard smiled. "At long, long last receive your due long overdue. Elphaba. The most celebrated are the rehabilitated. There'll be such a whoop-de-doo! A celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with you! Wonderful, they'll call you wonderful."

Elphaba's head whirled. It was all she had ever wanted! "It does sound wonderful," she admitted almost grudgingly.

The wizard was thrilled. "Trust me, it's fun!"

"When you are wonderful, it would be wonderful? Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"One! Two! And-"

Elphaba stopped the wizard from going any further. "Alright! I'll do it. But on one condition!" She pointed at where she knew the monkey cage was. "You set those monkeys free!"

The wizard smiled knowingly and stepped over to the cage. "Done." With a mighty heave he yanked the cage open, letting monkeys fly everywhere.

"Fly!" Elphaba shouted, just about bursting with delight. "You're free! Fly! Fly! Go my pretties! Away! Fly!"

The wizard got caught up in the mood, then spotted a small white bundle creeping across the floor. "Get out from beneath that cloth!" He bellowed, yanking it off himself. He took a step back when he saw the goat underneath. Uh-oh.

Elphaba saw him too. With a tiny gasp she knelt next to him. "Doctor Dillamond? It's me Elphaba. Don't you remember me?" She took his hoof in her green hand.

He looked at her, then uttered a long "ba-a-a-ah!" and bowed his head in shame.

Elphaba knelt for a moment, letting her fury build. "Oh, I'll do it alright. From this day forth," she leapt up, "my only goal will be to stop you!" She leapt towards him, but he got behind his giant head and began shouting for his guards.

Elphaba snatched up her broom just as Fiyero came in with a gun and several guards flanking him. "Fiyero," she said his name and took a step forward.

He looked unnerved and pointed the gun at her. "Get back!" He watched as she took a step backwards, then motioned his guards. "Bring me some water."

"What?" The guards looked confused.

"Fiyero!" Elphaba stepped back further. No!

"Don't move! Yes, water. As much as you can carry." Fiyero pointed his gun again and watched the guards go, then sidled over to the great head and yanked the wizard out, throwing him on the floor and pointing the gun at him. "Don't move. Get out of here Elphaba."

The green witch stepped forward. "But- no! Not without-"

Glinda came in. "Elphie!" She ran over and hugged her friend. "Praise Oz you're alright."

Oh, the irony. Elphaba squirmed free and stared at Fiyero, who was still holding the wizard at gun-point. "Oh!" Glinda saw too. "He doesn't mean it your Ozziness. He wouldn't-"

"Stay out of this Glinda. Elphaba, run!" He smiled at her and mouthed, "go Fabala."

Elphaba shook her head. "Not without you!"

"Fine!" Fiyero suddenly dashed at her, grabbing her hand and dropping his gun. Together they dashed out, hand in hand. Elphaba pulled him out of the front gate and into the fighting tree woods, where the viscous trees allowed her to pass. They wandered into the woods and sat down next to each other, enjoying each other's presence.

.-.

That was fun. Not as much fun as some of the other chapters, but fun. Poor Doctor Dillamond, and Elphie, and Fiyero, and why not add Glinda while we're at it? Reviews? Or I'll hex you! No, not really! giggles