So... this took long enough. Sorry?

Anyway, a user named EmeraldAngelofDarkness pointed out something- which I found to be quite important. Yes, I do know that Shell is actually Elphaba's YOUNGER brother in the books- he's actually the youngest child of all three- but I'm following the plot of the musical. In the musical, their mother died giving birth to Nessarose, which if Shell really was younger in this story, that would ruin it. So, for the sake of this story, he's older, that's all. C: Thanks for pointing it out, though, I almost forgot to explain it.

Also, as many of you know, I don't have a beta for my stories. So... any typos, I sincerely apologize for it. I always read over multiple times, but I don't always catch them.

Enjoy!

It was much harder to escape the palace this time.

Not only was Elphaba trying to lead two other beings around without being caught by the guards- who were already alerted of the attempted escape- one of the creatures she had to lead was not only wounded, but unable to fly. Although the white haired boy was capable of flight on his own- judging by how he glided down the hallways without even grazing the floor- he wasn't strong enough to carry the Animal, and the green girl wasn't sure having him balance on her broom would work very well. She raced down the hallways, her heeled boots clacking against the tiles of the floor as the two males followed her, going as fast as they could, which although it was too slow for her liking, they still seemed to be outrunning the Gale Force.

"Halt in the name of his Supreme Ozness!"

Jack had spun around at the clicking sounds- to look at the men with rifles aimed at them, and his eyes widened for a moment. They weren't really going to open fire, right? Elphaba let out a 'tsk' sound and grabbed him by the wrist, dragging him with her as they rounded a corner, still being pursued. "They will shoot without hesitation if they see us as a threat," she said sternly to the boy, "do not even think to stop again." Jack swallowed and nodded, turning back once more, only to make sure his friend was still nearby. Bunny staggered after them, finding it much harder to move now after a while- his body was sore and perhaps a bit of the blood loss was getting to him. Still, he wasn't slow and he wasn't weak, so outrunning them far enough to safety wouldn't be much of a problem.

Elphaba turned another corner, making it a few feet down the hallway before turning to the side again, and rushing down the staircase that lead to the second floor. Jack stalled back a bit to support Bunny as they both descended—and the boy let out a strangled gasp as the echoing sound of gunfire rang out behind them. It was a single shot fired, but still enough to startle him, and he began to understand just how bad it would be if they were caught.

"Come, hurry!" Elphaba called out, grabbing Jack's hand again as she raced down the hallway. The staircase down to the first story of the palace was down a few more hallways, and from there, a back entrance, which let out close to a forest. They could make it, they had to make it.

Another shot sounded—Elphaba could have sworn she felt the rush of air as it passed by her face, and she spun sharply on her heel, hands raised. A rough chant spilled from her lips, and with the flick of her wrist, the rifles they held began to glow read. The smell of burning skin was there for just a moment before they dropped with weapons with cries of pain. Jack watched, entranced by the magic ability and he would have told her so if he wasn't so—dare he say it—afraid at the moment. She stalled long enough to smirk at them, before rushing down the hallway once more, glancing over to make sure the boys were still behind her.

They made it to the last staircase. Almost there, they were almost out.

Another batch of guards spotted them as the raced down the hallway—before they could charge at them, Jack swung his staff, as ice crackled up their legs and froze them to their spot. They took aim, calling out the ready command, and Bunny was thankful the first shot was fired after they already turned down another hallway—he didn't feel like getting shot again.

Elphaba was feeling pretty thankful as well—as they raced down the hallways, the guards that pursued them grew smaller in number. A small chant to heat up their rifles, or knock them off their feet, or a swing of the staff to freeze them in place seemed to be doing well to stall, and they were almost free. They were almost safe.

Almost there, almost there, just a little bit farther—

She slammed into the guard with enough momentum to send them both toppling forward, and Jack let out a sound of alarm as he readied his staff to fight, glancing over his should to check for approaching threats. Elphaba glanced up at the man, scrambling to her feet as she gripped her broom and raised a hand in defense.

"Stay back," she hissed, the venom in her voice almost deadly on its own. He stayed on the floor, seeming to be in a trance, before shaking his hands wildly to try and prove he wouldn't harm anyone.

"Wait, I won't—,"

"I said stay back—move out of our way, or I'll destroy you."

The man, blinked, his eyes almost… sad? Desperate? She could see denial in them as well… but why?

"Wait, please…," he whispered, and then glanced around warily. He staggered to his feet and grabbed the door handle, a wrenched it open, looking around once more.

"Go," he ordered. "I'll tell them you knocked me down, but you must go now or else they'll be suspicious."

Elphaba paused, a short cackle escaping her lips, "Is this a trap? Are there ready guards outside, waiting for us to leave so they can take us back?"

"Of course not, Fabala! But you need to go, now!"

Elphaba's face paled once more, the nickname burning in the back of her mind—Fabala? Why did that…? She didn't get a chance to ponder more before a delicate and cold hand shoved her through the doorway. She turned back in time to see Jack slam the door, and freeze it shut with a thick layer of ice.

"It'll stall us long enough," Jack murmured, "At least, I hope it will."

Elphaba bit her lip and nodded, shaking her head so she could force that weird feeling to the back of her mind. "It should," she said, before glancing over at Bunny again. "You're hurt… please, let me take you to Aiyla. She can help you..."

Her voice was surprisingly soft and calm, considering that she just had to run for her life. Jack couldn't help but wonder if this was a common occurrence for her.

Bunny glared at her—he still didn't trust her, after all, she was the wicked witch that brought Pitch here in the first place. But, she did save him and Jack, and he supposed he needed help with the wound—which if Pitch was right when he saw him earlier, he couldn't get it anywhere that others could with the animal oppression going on.

"Fine," he sighed, then shot her a warning look, "But only 'cause there's stuff I need to ask 'ya, understand?"

She nodded slowly, then looked around the area. "The guards will have found another entrance by now, we still need to move quickly." Elphaba took a few steps forward, before glancing over her shoulder. "It's not that far, but it's still a long walk. You can ask your questions as we move… alright?"

Both males nodded, and followed after her—there were so many things they wanted, and needed to know. Jack cleared his throat, "Can I ask the first question?"

"Sure," Elphaba hummed, continuing to walk.

There was a brief moment of silence.

"… Why're you green?"

Shell stared at where the group had just left—his mind racing. Fabala… was here? Did she recognize him? No, of course not—she thought he was plotting a trap. She had also threatened him—but was that because she didn't recognize him? Or was it because she had something against him?

He felt anger boil inside of him. What had he done wrong? He was merely obeying his mother's wish by telling his sister that her father wasn't really her father. Why did he get in trouble? He never made Melena have the affair—why did he pay the price with his little sister's hatred?

He heard footsteps approaching, and sighed, brushing his uniform off. Many other guards appeared—some with blistered hands or frost clinging to their pant legs. Shell bit back a chuckle, at least the escapees hadn't attacked him.

"Where did the witch go, Captain?"

They all seemed suspicious of a potential betrayal, he couldn't blame them, not after what Fiyero had done. He briefly considered if it was still worth it to lie and protect Elphaba—if she hated him, and he was found out, he'd be put to death.

His lips twitched upwards once, but he hid his smile well—even if she did hate him, she was still his sister. At the end of the day, he still loved her.

"I don't know. She knocked me down and I hit my head. I heard footsteps and some yelling, and when everything finally stopped spinning, she was gone."

And no matter what, he would protect her.

Yay?