The Council...

It was the day after Shiz reopened its gates to its students, and the land of Oz was already in an uproar. Hearing about this mysterious and horrendous girl with inexplicably wondrous powers caused an unrest unlike any since the magical realms collided three human decades ago. Citizens from all the lands were worried that Maleficent might be dangerous; parents feared for their children's safety at the school. Ridiculous rumors started surfacing that the girl was a descendant or distant relative of the Wicked Witch, arriving just now to haunt them all or seek revenge for Elpheba. And Ursula was in the hot seat for so willingly taking Maleficent on as a student.

It was times like these when the Blue Fairy wished that Glinda the Good was still around. Before the old witch died, she passed her position along to Blue and wrote an autobiography that proved too shocking for most of Oz to accept- the truth about Elpheba and herself. How good Elpheba truly was, and how the former "Wizard" and Madame Morrible were the real wicked ones. And Glinda admitted that she had a hand in it all as well. The truth was concealed from the public for years, but as the guilt ate away at her, Glinda felt she couldn't hide it any longer. But the book met an unwilling audience. The land of Oz fell into such a state of denial that most insisted that Glinda was making things up, that her old age made her mind go foggy. Mobs banded together to burn every copy in the land. Blue now owned the only remaining copy, which was the same one that Glinda kept in her home until the day she died.

The whole thing just made Blue sad.

But she was hopeful that one day, the citizens would open their eyes and come together to ensure the same mistakes weren't made again. Looking around this table, Blue was sure that they were at risk of another foul plot.

The land of Oz remained peaceful for years after the "Wizard" and Dorothy left. Under Glinda's rule, Oz flourished. Then, one day, the unthinkable happened. Throughout the land, portals were opened by some mysterious and very powerful force, throwing all the magical realms into coexistence. The portals were still active to this day, allowing anyone safe passage between worlds. But to this day, there was no explanation for how it happened or why. Blue always suspected that the shift was caused by someone messing with magic that they shouldn't have...

And she was also sure that Jafar was the culprit. He was a sorcerer, from the earth's Arabian desert. A power-hungry one. A few years after arriving here, he earned the trust of the citizens with his snake-like charms and was voted into power in the Emerald City, with Ursula as his confidante. Whether it was because the Ozians couldn't stand to have a fairy from the Enchanted Forest rule them or because they simply longed for their charismatic old Wizard to come back, Blue wasn't sure. But it was plain to her that the people of Oz didn't know how to learn from previous mistakes.

Blue feared for what Maleficent's presence at the school might mean for Ursula and Jafar. She worried that they might try to use the girl for...well, she wasn't sure. Something bad. And she silently vowed to keep that from happening. Everyone on the Council aside from Jafar and Ursula knew of her suspicions and seemed to be on her side, but they didn't know how to act. Jafar was a sociopath who ruled with an iron fist. Crossing him would be unwise. But Blue wasn't afraid.

"This Council had been brought together to discuss a recent development at Shiz Academy." Jafar addressed them all in his most regal tone. Ursula sat to his right, wearing a smug expression. He continued, "A new student has sparked some controversy with her impressive powers. Ursula has kindly taken the girl under her wing to train her in the magical arts. From what I've heard, she shows great potential. And she might even earn herself a position as my Grand Vizier one day." He looked around at everyone's solemn faces, eyebrows raised. "I don't really see a problem. Do you?"

"Our sweet Aurora is rooming with that awful girl!" Merriweather blurted out angrily. Both of her older sisters shushed her, but she waved them off and continued. "We're concerned about her well-being!"

"Aurora was kind enough to volunteer to share a room with Maleficent. I think she feels she can handle herself." Ursula interjected with mock-sweetness. She shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe the two of them will become friends. I think it could do them both some good."

"Why, you-" Merriweather started to fly over the table toward Ursula, but Flora and Fauna both jumped up to hold her back.

Blue sighed. "Maleficent's powers are obviously driven by her emotions. She can't control them."

"That's why I'm teaching her to." Ursula replied warily.

"Why should we deny this talented girl a proper education and a bright future by our side?" Jafar added.

"I'm not saying we deny her anything. The child deserves a proper education. Though her father disagrees vehemently... I'm just saying that you're getting a little ahead of yourselves about what her future holds. I think it might be a bad idea to put Maleficent in a position of such power. You ought to wait to see what she can do and how she progresses before promising her anything." Blue responded in an even tone.

If things didn't work out the way Jafar and Ursula seemed to hope they would, they would wind up setting Maleficent up for disappointment and failure. And Oz would have a tragedy on its hands. Blue couldn't have that.

"I think you're not really seeing the big picture here, Blue. But, I'll take your suggestion into consideration." Jafar said in a bored tone. He looked around at the others sitting at the table. "Does anyone have anything to add?"

It was silent. Blue bit the inside of her cheek in frustration.

Jafar nodded with a feral grin. "Good. I'm going to be announcing to everyone in Oz that this girl is not a threat to us. She's just a young student, hoping to broaden her horizons. And that she may prove to be someone who is celebrated by us all one day." Jafar stood up. Ursula followed suit, looking positively pleased. "We're going to offer that girl the life she deserves. However she chooses to act is up to her." He waved his hands dismissively. "Meeting adjourned."

With that, he turned and strolled out of the room, Ursula slithering dutifully after him. The rest of the Council slowly rose from their seats, but hesitated to leave the meeting room. When the door slammed shut after Ursula, a few of them sighed heavily or turned to Blue for guidance.

Blue gave them all a disappointed look. "Well, it's your own faults, you know. How are Merriweather and I the only ones who aren't afraid to speak up?" She turned to Merlin. "Where's your courage gone, hmm?"

Merlin looked down in shame.

Blue's expression softened. "He's gotten to Arthur, hasn't he?"

"I cannot say." Merlin whispered.

"It is not a matter of courage, Blue." Yen Sid spoke with a voice that rumbled deep like thunder. His grey eyes peered at her with an intense wisdom. "We know when to pick our battles."

"Then why not battle for Oz?" Blue demanded.

Yen Sid sighed and shook his head. "There is no battle, Blue. You're blowing this out of proportion. I won't let your paranoid dislike of Jafar sway me." He started heading toward the door. "I don't believe Maleficent poses a threat to us. And if she does turn out to be like the last green witch, I think we'll be able to handle it without much struggle."

"How can you be so cold?" Blue called after him.

He ignored her and stalked out of the room, letting the door slam behind him.

"I suppose our only hope is that your successor proves to be more powerful than Maleficent." The Fairy Godmother said thoughtfully. She offered Blue a smile. "I do hope you'll give my Cinderella a chance. She shows much promise."

"Yes, I've looked over her application already, and checked her references. Quite impressive." Blue replied distractedly.

"Oh, please give Aurora your consideration, Blue!" Fauna squealed excitedly.

"Oh, yes! Now, we know that her powers might seem a little shoddy now, but we promise you she can shape up!" Flora added enthusiastically.

"It's not that she's untalented, Blue. She's just...a late bloomer!" Merriweather put in.

"It assure you, Aurora has as good a chance as any of the applicants." Blue responded in an effort to placate them. But it was a lie. She'd already looked over Aurora's application, and it was clear that Blue's class was well beyond the girl's skill level. "Please, excuse me." Blue offered each of them a smile before waving her wand, opening the doors and floating out of the room.

She hovered quickly down the hall and around the corner, following Yen Sid's trail. She spotted him a few yards ahead and burst after him, flying until she was right in his path. When he was forced to stop, Blue dropped to her feet in front of him. She smirked up at him while he looked like he was barely concealing his irritation.

"Blue, I-" He started.

"Ah, ah, ah..." She quietly interrupted him. With a wave of her wand, they were transported from Jafar's palace to her own lovely home. "That's better. Now we can speak freely." She put on a suspicious look and whispered, "The walls have ears, you know."

Yen Sid smiled slightly in spite of himself. "You're mocking me. I guess that's what I get for calling you paranoid."

Blue nodded, crossing her arms. "You know my suspicions aren't unfounded, Yen. Jafar and Ursula are up to something."

"We can't prove it, Blue."

"But what if we could?" She hovered toward him now. "All we need is one scrap of evidence to throw that tyrant out of power. And then-"

"No. We've talked about this, Blue. I am no ruler."

"Oz deserves to have a real wizard in power, Yen! Not a mortal conman or power-mad sorcerer."

"Merlin is as much a wizard as I am. Talk to him."

"Merlin has been emotionally compromised. He'll refuse to act as long as Jafar threatens Arthur."

"Blue, it's just not-"

"Yen Sid, for one second, put aside what is logical and remember what is right. I'm not sure what has made you so bitter and hollow inside, but the man I knew back home wouldn't allow himself to play second fiddle to a man like Jafar." Blue insisted. She reached out to grab his hand. "You and I are the only ones who can fight. Jafar has a hold on all the others; they're afraid of what he'll do to their loved ones if they stand up to him. But you and I have always only had one another. I need your help on this, Yen. Please. You're the only person Jafar trusts aside from Ursula. You can use that to do some real good."

Yen Sid stared down at her for a moment. Blue temporarily feared that he would still refuse. Then, he slowly reached up a hand to stroke her pale cheek.

"After all this time... I still can't say no to you." He said in that low, tremulous voice. "Alright. You and I, together. We'll end Jafar's reign."