(A/N: hiya! Next chapter! Soooo, for those of you who didn't read the last story (shame on you! lol, jk) Raman is evil, and at one point in the story he tried to kidnap Elphaba, but Fiyero saved her (of course). So, thanks to all you lovely...uh, review-ers. And I'm going to dedicate this chapter to Bellery because she is just so nice and supportive. :) Thanks! So please, review and enjoy!)
"Hold on now little Princey," Raman sneered, "You want to see you're little angle again don't you?" Fiyero froze.
"Where is she?" Fiyero growled, "If you know anything--"
"Whoa now," Raman said, "If you want to know anything, you'll have to calm down and call off your guards." Raman noticed a few guards raise their guns as they heard the shouting.
"Fine," Fiyero hissed. He motioned for the guards to leave. The guards hesitantly left, glancing at Fiyero confusedly. Lucas stared at the man, not sure who he was, but it was obvious Fiyero hated him more than anything. Raman grinned as the guards left and walked over to a chair, plopping down in it and resting his feet on the table. Fiyero glared at him.
"Well?" Fiyero asked in a menacingly low voice.
"New York City," said Raman, recalling what Morrible had called it, "Center of the universe."
"We already knew that," Fiyero snapped, "If that's all, get out."
"No, that's not all..." Raman drawled, "Figured out how to get their yet?"
"What—I mean, we're working on it," Fiyero growled, "Look, stop dancing around the information and spit it out. Otherwise, get out of here."
"Fair enough," Raman said, putting his hands in the air, as though 'surrendering', "I know how to get there."
"You liar." Fiyero said. It hardly seemed fair that someone as unworthy as Raman would be the one person to be able to reach Elphaba, that he was the one person to figure out how to get to her. After all of Fiyero's searching, Raman had been the one to find the way to her? Raman?!
"Liar am I?" asked Raman.
"Even if you were telling the truth, why would you come all the way to the Vinkus to tell me?" asked Fiyero.
"Because, you're the only way I'm going to get there." said Raman, "The portal is in your bloody castle and I figured you'd want to see your precious love again."
"What in it for you?" asked Fiyero, "Why would you want to go to New York?"
"I just escaped from Southstairs; I can't live in Oz much longer before I'm caught and sent back." said Raman.
"I don't believe you," Fiyero snapped, "Someone let you out. You wouldn't have made it all the way here if you were an escaped prisoner."
"Fine, look, my motivations are none of your concern," Raman said, standing up, "You want to see her again don't you? Why does it matter what I want as long as you get what you want?"
"I know what you want." Fiyero said, "You want her and I'm not letting you get near her."
"Please," Raman scoffed, "I wouldn't want her in a million lifetimes. And if I don't get near her, you don't get near her. If you ever want to see her again, I'm the only way that's going to happen." Fiyero was torn. He finally believed Raman was telling the truth. But, he knew Raman was only in on this to get Elphaba, and Fiyero couldn't let that happen, but he also had to get to her himself. He needed her. When they reached New York, he'd just have to deal with Raman, because there was no way he would even be able to look at Elphaba.
"Fine," said Fiyero after a long silence, "You're going to take me there, and leave her and me alone."
"Deal." said Raman, grinning, putting a hand forward to shake hands. Fiyero shook somewhat reluctantly. He still didn't believe Raman, but he need to Raman to think he believed him. Raman knew that Fiyero didn't believe him; he felt in his pocket for his blade, it was there. Fiyero let his hand graze his pocket for the switch blade. It was there. He wouldn't kill Raman, he would never kill a man, but he could always make walking impossible.
"And Lucas comes too." said Fiyero. Raman couldn't have that. Fiyero he could fight off...maybe, but with that Lucas boy too?
"No." said Raman, "He can't come."
"Fine, I won't." said Lucas, a plan formulating in his head.
"That was easy." said Raman, smirking. Fiyero didn't even have to look at Lucas to know he had a plan.
"So, how're we getting there?" asked Fiyero.
"Follow me." said Raman. He led them to the far end of the library as thought this was his castle. Raman ran over the directions Morrible had given him. There was desk set up in the back, a kerosene lamp flickering on the desk. Raman walked up to the lamp and blew gently on the flame. The lamp blew out, but a second later, it was ignited again with green flames. Raman shot Fiyero and Lucas a smug look at the shocked expressions on their faces. The green flame burned and Raman blew on it again and this time, the flames swirled into the air and swirled into a large oval, a vortex. Raman tested it by slipping his hand into the fire; it felt cool and liquid-like almost.
"You first." said Raman, quirking an eyebrow at Fiyero. Raman wanted to be last to make sure that Lucas didn't get through. Fiyero walked forward, checking for the switch-blade one last time. Raman put a hand on Fiyero's shoulder to ensure they ended up in the same place. Fiyero stepped through and vanished. Raman was soon to follow. The swirling oval began to narrow. Lucas pushed himself through just before the portal had disappeared. He heard Raman yell in frustration. But he didn't have time to think. He felt wind rushing past him and he knew he was falling. It felt like falling through silk and water at the same time, or really thick fog without the moisture. It was a daunting feeling. Green flames were all around him, but they felt nothing like flames. Finally, he saw ground beneath him. He fell hard onto the hard concrete. He looked around and found himself in an alley way. He soon noticed Fiyero and Raman, they'd gotten their faster. Fiyero was facing Raman, a switch blade glinting in his hand. Raman had a knife too, they were posed ready to fight. Neither had noticed him yet. Raman's back was too him. Lucas slowly crept up behind Raman. Fiyero had noticed him now, but made no acknowledgement, not wanting to ruin Lucas's plan. Lucas grabbed Raman by his neck from behind. Raman dropped the blade as his hands flew to his neck. Fiyero grabbed the blade as it clattered to the ground. Fiyero advanced on Raman. Raman began to panic, and all of a sudden, he felt a surge of energy burst through him and he was gone. Fiyero and Lucas both stared at the place where Raman had been only seconds ago.
"Damn!" Fiyero yelled, "Where'd he go? He could be anywhere!"
"It doesn't matter where he is," Lucas said, "We're looking for Galinda and Elphaba, we needn't be concerned with finding him too."
"Right," said Fiyero, "We'd better get to them before he does."
"Where do we start?" asked Lucas.
"I don't know, should we check buildings too?" asked Fiyero.
"Probably should." said Lucas, "We don't want to walk right past them."
*************
Raman landed a block or so away. He walked down the sidewalk, he was about to go down an alleyway, when he saw Fiyero and Lucas. Raman quickly darted past the alley and continued walking. Where to start? Morrible had mentioned something about a loft hadn't she? So Elphaba was inside, so he had to check all the buildings? Great.
*****************
Elphaba and Mark had just finished a lovely date at the Life, and they were walking back to the loft. It was nearly dark outside, past sunset but not pitch black, but Mark kept his arm wrapped around her anyway. She leaned into him as they walked. A stream of flashing lights came into view, and lots of cheering. It was the annual Charity Ball, where all the rich people went to 'donate' to good causes like cancer and children blah, blah blah, blah, feeding the homeless...etc. There were lots of press, and a big long carpet leading up to the entrance of the large building.
"What's that?" asked Elphaba.
"Charity Ball," Mark answered, "It's for rich people like Tom Clooney and George Cruise, or was it George Clooney and Tom Cruise?"
"Oh, well--" Elphaba was cut off by a flashback. Her eyes glazed over. Mark glanced over at her when he felt her stop walking. He sighed when he could see nothing but white in her eyes. He'd have to wait it out. He lifted her easily and carried her to a bench and held her in his arms and waited for the flashback to be over.
This flashback was not so clear as others. Images and clips zoomed past her eyes. She was with the same young man again, the one with the blurred face. He was leading her up an emerald carpet, there were flashing lights, and a big sign read, "THE EMERALD BALL". A great number of press was there, snapping pictures. People were crowded around, gawking at whoever was walking down the carpet. Elphaba felt nervous, and asked the boy when they'd get inside. He pointed to the door just ahead.
They walked in, and the scene changed. Elphaba found herself in a large ballroom. Elegant couples waltzed gracefully to the classy music. Everything was emerald. The boy gestured to two people across the room. A man and woman stood there, smiling and waving them over. The woman hugged the boy, obviously his mother. The father shook hands. Then the boy introduced them. Elphaba was engulfed in a bone crushing hug. She smiled, taking an immediate liking to the woman.
More images and clips flashed through her mind. She had danced with many different people, but the blurred boy always cut in. They danced until late, stopping occasionally at the mini bar for a drink, or to mingle with the other socialites. When the ball was over, they took a carriage to the train station. They boarded the train, the boy kissed her passionately. As the train zoomed out of sight, New York rushed back at her.
Elphaba blinked and the murky white was replaced with the brown Mark loved.
"What did you see this time?" asked Mark.
"I was at Ball, like that one." said Elphaba, "With—by myself." she decided not to tell Mark about the boy who'd been with her.
"With?" asked Mark, not missing her first choice of words.
"I don't know," Elphaba admitted, "It was the same boy again, the one whose face I can never see."
"He must be your ex-boyfriend or whatever." said Mark, "Galinda told me that you had a boyfriend, but you broke up because you didn't really love each other."
"Oh?" asked Elphaba. That kiss just before they'd boarded the train, the fiery, passionate kiss, there had been love in it. No, there had to have been another reason for them to break up.
"Yeah," said Mark, "Don't worry about him." he kissed Elphaba's cheek and she blushed. He smiled and offered his hand. She took it and they went back to the loft.