Chapter 3 is here, guys! Don't worry, the big meeting will be in the next chapter, or two... or three. Depends.
And I apologize in advance- if you couldn't tell from trying to imitate Bunny and North, I suck at typing accents. So I'm sorry- I tried.
Anyway, enjoy! And let me know what you think!
"Regina!"
Morrible cringed, glad she found Pitch before the Wizard found her. "Yes, your Ozness?"
"Is it true? That Fiyero Tiggular was killed by the Gale Force? Was it under your orders?"
He was spewing—and the witch knew she was in trouble now.
"Yes, it's true that he was killed. But it wasn't under my order—it was a sudden decision made by the Gale Force themselves," she explained calmly. The Wizard did not seem to enjoy the nonchalant behavior.
"I warned you, Regina. I warned you of what would happen if you let someone else get hurt," he snarled, eyes narrowed. He was livid. How could she do this? Yes, he wanted Elphaba captured, but not if it meant hurting others! Especially not if it meant killing others!
"And who says I let it?" she spat, equally as angry now. How dare he go off at her for trying to help him with his wicked witch problem. "I wasn't there, your Ozness. I had no way of telling them what to do when it happened. And I had no way to know beforehand what was going to happen. The original plan was to lure Elphaba there and capture her. Then Fiyero decided to show up out of the blue, how could I have predicted that? I may be magic, but I'm not a miracle worker!"
"No, but you told them it was acceptable to kill people to get to the witch!" the Wizard retaliated, his voice rising in anger, "Which is exactly what I told you not to do!"
"Who said I told them to?" she spat.
"I asked countless guards!" he groaned, "They all said the same thing—your orders!"
She hissed, "And you believed them?"
"Well, after what happened with Nessarose—"
"What happened to Nessarose was an awful, tragic, mistake," she taunted, clenching her teeth, "But it's not like anyone missed her, anyway." The Wizard growled in anger, "Elphaba missed her."
Morrible furrowed her brow in frustration, "So you're siding with the wicked witch now, hmm?"
"I'm starting to think maybe you're the wicked one!"
The blast of magic that flew from Morrible's hands was red like blood, and felt like knives. It shattered vases and mirrors, cracked the walls of her quarters, and hit the Wizard right in the chest.
His feet were in the air before his body even hit the ground. His head landed on the wooden floor first and it took him a moment to register what had happened, as well as to get the spots of color out of his vision. His chest throbbed, and for a moment he wondered if he was going to die—it hurt so bad. His ears rang as he focused on Morrible's approaching figure.
"I may be wicked, but you need me. You need my magic to keep up the charade. And if you don't like the way I'm doing it, perhaps it's not me who should go…," she growled, low and dangerous. When the shock and pain finally subsided enough, he staggered to his feet, and glared at Morrible, who returned his gesture.
"To the southstairs… now, Regina."
When Elphaba approached the Animal camp, she wondered if anyone would remember her. She chuckled mirthlessly—it was hard to forget a green girl being hunted by everyone in Oz. Looking next to her, she smiled softly at Chistery, who happily chattered something, she wasn't sure what he was trying to say. When she spotted the first Animal there— a Bear she had come to know as Nuka—she put on her best smile and called out to him.
"Miss Elphaba!" he grinned, rushing over to greet her with an embrace. She gladly returned it, and turned to her side. "Chistery," she said, "this is Nuka." Elphaba then turned to the Bear and tilted her head towards Chistery, "Nuka, this is Chistery."
"Ah," he said, "this is the famous monkey with wings from your story…" He smiled, "Pleasure to meet you, Chistery."
The monkey chattered something in response.
"Can't speak, can he?"
Elphaba winced at Nuka's haunted expression, "No, sadly, not yet. We're working on it… is Aiyla by chance still here?"
"Always Aiyla with you, isn't it?" he teased, "At least I got a hello this time from you! She's in the small hut by the river… she hasn't left that hut much since you left."
"Thank you, Nuka," she whispered, squeezing his shoulder and signaling for Chistery to follow her. When they arrived at the hut, Elphaba peered in through the doorway. "… Aiyla?"
The Fox set down the paper—probably one that the Pigeons brought in from the city—and turned to face Elphaba. Eyes widened at the sight of the emerald woman, to which she got to her feet and smiled. "It's good to see you 'live and well, lassie," she beamed, "what's been keepin' 'ya away from our ol' camp? It's been weeks!"
"The same old things," Elphaba smiled, walking inside, with Chistery right behind her, "the Wizard, the Gale Force, commotions…"
"Anythin' else, dear?"
"… Fiyero," Elphaba mumbled, remembering the events. Aiyla knew that name—Elphaba had mentioned him before. She had stated both he and Glinda were her only friends, and once confessed that she indeed felt something for him, but she was just not that girl. Aiyla smiled, "Oh? Do tell, lass."
The green girl began, "When I had gone to see my sister for some help, I wound up hearing some news about his and Glinda's engagement ball, and thought it would be a good distraction so I could free the monkeys. When I showed up, I had a… discussion with the Wizard. Almost joined him, but I found Dillamond and changed my mind—,"
"What's this have to do with Fiyero, lassie?"
"I'm getting there," she chuckled, "the Wizard called for his guards and Fiyero came to the room. He got the other guards to leave and tried to help me escape. When Glinda came in… he said he was leaving with me, because he…"
She couldn't finish the sentence—the subject was still too raw. The Fox just smiled, though, "Guess ya' were that girl after all."
"I guess so…"
"Where's your prince now, then? All I see here is a monkey with wings… Chistery right?" she mused, looking at the monkey. He chattered in what they assumed was agreement and Elphaba took a deep breath.
"Fiyero is dead," she whispered, "he was killed trying to save me from the Gale Force, after they used my sister's death as a trap."
The smile vanished from the Fox's face, "Oh, lass… I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," Elphaba stuttered. Holding back a sob at the memory, she gave off a shuddery sigh. "But I just… I can't face Kiamo Ko right now. Is it alright is I stay here for the night? Chistery too?"
"Of course ya' can, lassie, but if ya' don't mind my askin', what's Kiamo Ko?"
"A castle in the Vinkus," the emerald witch explained, "Fiyero let me use it for safety and shelter."
"A castle? Boy must've really loved ya' then," she grinned, trying to lighten the mood. It was a thoughtful attempt, but the witch still associated his love for her as the reason he died. Memories of fear and guilt and failed spells ran through her mind in a flood and it took everything she could not to let out a cry of anguish.
So instead, Elphaba just gave off a weak smile, holding back tears, "Unfortunately, he did."
"Would ya' hurry it up, Frostbite?"
"I'm being thorough!"
Bunny snorted, "Remind me how starin' off int'a space is thorough?"
Jack's face flushed a bluish color—he didn't think his distraction was that obvious. He glanced at the pooka, who just gave him a stern look, so he picked up the pace and glided alongside him. "So… where are we headed next?" he mused, picking the splinters off his staff. Bunny thought for a moment, "Burgess."
Jack's face seemed to contort into a look of panic and confusion, "Why? Is it because Jamie's in—,"
"No," Bunny cut him off sharply, not wanting to deal with Jack's panic attack that was sure to follow, "no, Jamie isn't in danger." Although he couldn't say for sure, he knew it was what Jack needed to hear. "Burgess is the last place Pitch's lair was. Hopefully it'll give us clues on where he is now, if he isn't still there."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
Jack pouted slightly, "I'm worried about him, aren't I supposed to be?"
"Of course ya' are," Bunny stated, "It's a Guardian's job to be concerned, but—,"
"If it was Sophie he might be after?"
The Guardian of Hope didn't answer. He didn't have to—Jack already knew the answer. Bunny would be just as worried as Jack was if his closest believer was in even potential danger. He grumbled slighty—Jack knew to play that card.
"Would visitin' the kid make ya' feel better?"
"Seeing that he is indeed okay instead of taking your guess for an answer?" Jack bantered, "Definitely."
Bunny rolled his eyes as he tapped his foot twice on the ground, opening up one of his rabbit holes, "Then c'mon, mate—it's faster this way."
I had a giant conversation with Jack and Jamie but I couldn't find a way to end it and it kept going on and on so just pretend it's there. c: Also, there's an important plot element in here, anyone know what it is and why?
Have any favorite lines/moments? Let me know! Hugs to those who review!