She didn't have much. No family to her name, as she was dropped in front of an orphanage as a baby and raised by a rotating cast of strangers. No friends, as such connections were too breakable and unreliable for her to bear. No status, no fame, barely enough money to survive. A nobody, a far cry from the frivolity and finery her home country of Gillikin was infamous for. However, she had one thing reliably within her grasp: a natural affinity for magic stirring deep within her. Since she had that, the power and fame would surely arrive if she worked hard enough.

When she cried, sheets of rain pelted the windows. When she laughed, golden rays of sun pierced through the clouds. When she was angry, booms of thunder and stabs of lightning were soon to follow. The other orphan children feared her and hid under their blankets from her raging storms at night. That didn't matter, for they could not ever hope to create something so amazing in their pathetic lives. They simply didn't appreciate talent when they saw it.

However, even she had to admit her abilities would be more useful if properly contained. There were fewer ways to worsen an already dreary day than to have a personal rain cloud manifest over one's head and not be able to get rid of it.

So, when she came of age, she fled to relative seclusion in a lumber village on the edge of the Great Gillikin Forest. Taking up residence in an abandoned cottage, she took whatever work she could find and devoured any spell book she could get her hands on. Many candle-lit nights were spent studying the ancient texts until her eyes burned. The electric crackling of magic made her feel truly alive, and she craved ever more.

In her time there, the villagers had been peaceful. None were rich, but they were able to make their livelihoods through shipping lumber off throughout Oz. Then, the Great Drought arrived at their doorstep. Trees grew bare and crackling, and the food they'd found among the forest floor had shriveled up and died. The people grew restless and angry, claiming the leadership wasn't doing enough. Gillikinese officials tried their hardest, but the Emerald City's massive political upheaval meant that no help came from above.

For her village, the tipping point came when a brush fire raged across the already-parched land and threatened to destroy both the village and the trees they desperately needed to survive. They spoke of the witch who'd made thunderclouds outside her window at will. Soon, a crowd stood at her doorstep, gazing up at a cottage untouched by the licking flames. Strong, burly men with calluses on their hands and lines of ash running down their faces clutched their coughing wives and children.

She emerged, narrowed eyes scanning the crowd. The air was thick with smoke and desperation. "Make the rain come," one pleaded. "Please. We'll do anything."

They groveled at her feet, and it was glorious. Who was she to turn down such a golden opportunity? "Anything?" she asked with a smirk.

She didn't ask for much. The village showered her in gifts and replaced her cottage with a real, sturdy house. They accepted her input in any decisions, and made her the richest, most powerful woman in town. In return, she brought the rain. Word spread of the village that prospered while others struggled. Surrounding towns journeyed to her and begged for help. They increased her power, so she brought their rain, too.

It still wasn't enough. Surely she was destined for greater things than ruling over a few small hick towns in the middle of the forest. She wielded the power of gods beneath her fingertips, did she not? There was no challenge anymore, no thrillifying rush from completing a tough spell for the first time. There was nothing to work for, no reason to stay awake all night perfecting a spell. The worst obstacle she faced was the occasional dissenting townsperson, which was easily dealt with by a little freak lightning storm.

Once things in the Emerald City calmed down, whispers began. A Wonderful Wizard with limitless magic had taken power and would fix all their problems forever. Finally, someone who could match her in talent! He supposedly granted visits to those he deemed worthy, so she wrote to this Wizard, boasting of her accomplishments. Soon, a letter trimmed in ornate green and gold arrived. Of course the Wizard would request a personal audience with her!

She left Gillikin behind without a second thought, and soon stood before the Wizard's chambers.

"The Wizard will see you now."

When she stepped inside, the Wizard's head roared to life with a terrible groan. "Madina Morrible! I have recieved your letter and heard of your magical prowess in weather. You are seeking better magical control and influence over Oz, yes?" The head's mouth mechanically snapped open and closed, not quite syncing to what he was saying.

"Precisely," she replied, looking the giant head directly in its glowing eyes. Where many others would tremble in fear at the sight, she stood tall and proud.

"You came from nothing and managed to become a powerful sorceress and leader. I respect that. I can aid you with whatever sorcery teachers and political endeavors you so desire, but I will need your help in return in ending this drought. Join me. We can help each other."

A too-wide, unsettling smile split Morrible's face. "Go on. I'm interested..."