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Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well, maybe just a little bit. Geez, that was short . . .

Chapter 17: Return? Always

Fiyero ran towards the castle. He had abandoned the celebration, though it was throughout Oz. He just ran as fast as his floppy legs would take him. He dashed up to where the pointed black hat was still sitting, looking lonely and forlorn. He fell into a kneeling position beside it, picking it up in his clumsy hands and hugging it close. It worked! He banged on the trap door excitedly after throwing the cape to the side. "Elphaba! It worked!"

She popped out, her green face the picture of delight. "Fiyero!"

He helped her clamber out, then hugged her. Suddenly he felt rather self-conscious about himself. "I wish I could be handsome for you," he sighed, drawing back.

Elphie touched his face. "It depends on your definition of beautiful is all," she said with a little smile. "I just wish we could let Galinda know we're both alright."

"You know we can't." Fiyero tugged her arm with his powerless one fruitlessly. "C'mon."

She just stood and listened as Glinda's voice trilled magically across the countryside, no doubt a final work of the wizard. Probably some huge megaphone or something. Or maybe just she could hear it. "Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but,"

"because I knew you," Elphaba joined in. She couldn't see Glinda's face, but she heard her voice,

"because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Elphaba raised her arm, snapping her fingers. The noise echoed throughout the castle, across the countryside, over the square where the Ozians were celebrating her death, and right to where the wizard had discarded her broom. It shuddered, then jerked into the air and zipped away. Elphaba caught it as it leapt into her hand and with a twitch of her hand repaired it so the bristles were long and full again. She picked up her hat, slapping it onto her head at a jaunty angle and put the cape back around your shoulders.

"Heed my words, Ozians," she said, throwing her head back as the wind blew her hair and cape. "The wicked witch of the west is back. I'll show you that you can't bring her down! The witch always returns." She took Fiyero's hand and together they left Oz, for good.

"And there the wicked old Witch stayed for a good long time."

"And did she ever come out?"

"Not yet."

.-.

There you are! Tell me how you liked it, 'cause I might write a sequel. That would be fun. - That last bit was taken from the book "Wicked", which I swear to you all I have not read. Curses! Yeah, I've only read the very, very end. I'm a cheater, I know! Tell me if you liked it.