Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing.

Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. You'll have to wait and see.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. You like damsels in distress stories, I guess?

Thanks to Just Me for reviewing.

Thanks to RavenCurls for reviewing. Maybe my mind was in the gutter. I blame M rated Gelphie stories.

Thanks to chinaluv for reviewing.

Thanks to Varia for reviewing.

Six more after this and counting down.

As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and Critiues are welcome, by review or in pm.

8/15/14

Elphaba hurried through the halls of Kiamo Ko. Her cloak was half hanging off her but her hat was firmly affixed to its customary position. By her side, Chistery tried to keep up. Trailing behind them was a number of attendants both Animal and Vinkun.

"Did you send Monkeys to the Resistance members?" Elphaba asked.

"Right after you finished the message."

"When can we expect a reply?"

"Within the hour."

"Good. I want you to hold down the castle. See if you can get more of the Arjiki to come to our side."

"I don't know how much that will happen. They think you're planning to go to war with them."

"While I had considered it, if the Arjiki came with me Gillikin may hop into this mess and then we would all be screwed. Reassure the Arjiki that I only want to place political pressure."

"I will."

"Did you send that Monkey to Glinda's parents?"

"Yes." Chistery paused. "I know it was difficult for you to write that letter."

"They deserve to know." Elphaba answered grimly. "Besides, maybe they can help."

"Of course."

"How are the other preparations coming?"

"We have food being packed as we speak along with other necessities. The trip to the Emerald City is very short on your broom, but who knows how long it will take you to sneak in."

"It did not take me long last time."

"The difference is it is packed with soldiers looking for war. They'll be watching the skies."

"I'll be fine. I just need to know if the Resistance can help me."

"As I said, we're waiting on the message. You should try to get some rest."

"I don't need rest."

"Yes, you do. Frankly, we all do. You need it most, however, if you plan on flying."

"I'll be fine. I've flown in worse shape."

"And if the dark sorceress tries to stop you? Or Morrible? You think you would be in any shape to resist them?"

"I don't want to sleep." Elphaba said, avoiding the questions.

"I'll make sure the draught is mixed so you will have no dreams."

"There's too much to do."

"We can handle that." Chistery responded. When Elphaba did not waiver, Chistery face softened. "Please, My Lady. If not for your sake then for the Lady Glinda's. You need to be at your best."

"No more than six, you understand?" Elphaba snapped. Chistery nodded his head. Elphaba stopped and waved the rest of the attendance away. After they were gone she visibly sagged. "Thank you, Chistery."

"Of course, My Lady. Go get ready; I shall be there in a few moments."

Elphaba nodded and headed towards her room. Chistery went to find the ingredients for the draught. He would make sure it was strong enough to last eight hours. He was certain that the Lady Glinda had at least that much time; just as he was certain that it would be a fight to get her back.

"Pfannee?" Glinda said again, shocked. "How?"

"Same as you, Miss Glinda; years of study." Pfannee replied and sat at the foot of the bed.

Glinda moved back to rest against the headboard, as the sedative still made her weak. As she waited for Pfannee to continue she examined her old friend. Without the additive effects of makeup, Glinda could see her cheeks were sallow, causing her cheekbones to be more prominent and chin to jut out sharply. Dirty blonde hair hung limply in a ponytail and her skin had lost some of its glow. It was her eyes, however, that worried Glinda the most. They still were shrewd and calculating as they always had been but with an additional hardness, and something else.

"I don't remember you taking sorcery, nor did you ever mention it." Glinda said when it was clear the other woman would not go on.

"I did not nor would I have. You see, Miss Glinda, I never wanted to be a sorcerer. I have no particular interest in it, or even talent. However, it was you who caused me to be this way."

"Me? I never did anything to you."

"Not directly, no, but it was caused by you. You and Miss Elphaba." Pfannee answered and her voice hardened.

"How did we do this?"

"You see, the Bitch didn't run Shiz because she liked to teach; anyone could see that. No, she ran it because there were a lot of intelligent, capable, and soon to be influential students that were still be naïve enough to be manipulated. She revels in taking those she sees talent in and twisting them to her own ends. They become her eyes and ears in Oz and calls them her Adepts."

"That's terrible."

"Oh, it gets better. The Bitch had been going through a bit of a dry spell in regards to sorcerers when Miss Elphaba came along. She saw someone with some much power and obvious craving to be accepted and saw only opportunities for her. She was not happy when Miss Elphaba demanded you been in the seminar with her, but she decided you could be useful too. She recognized your ability to get people to love you, and your sudden devotion to Elphaba. She thought she was well on her way."

"You may be wondering how I know this. Unfortunately for her, the Bitch has a tendency to run her mouth a little too much when flustered or flush with excitement. You may have noticed; she did it in the Throne Room with the Wizard, which sent Elphaba on her course; she did it on numerous occasions with you; and did it to me also. It's the reasons she needs Adepts; no one will follow her on her own. That's how the Wizard stayed in power when she knew his secret. He managed to say the right thing at the right time no matter how he was doing."

"She thought you two would help her supplant the Wizard and set her on the Throne. It's simple to see how she would have given you both some position in the government only to reveal the Wizard's evil deeds later on. Miss Elphaba would have tossed him out and turned it over to Morrible. All blind to how she was being manipulated. But she ran her mouth, and Elphaba ran away. The Wizard almost got her back, proving once again how convincing he could be."

"So what does that have to do with me? Well, with her sorceric muscle in the form of Elphaba gone, she needed someone else. You were being used as a face and she does not hold your sorcery abilities in high esteem, so you were dismissed. She settled on me because she had something to hold against me if I failed. So for the next two years I did nothing but eat, sleep, and work at sorcery. Those two years were hell for me as I had no contact with anyone outside of the Bitch. I was allowed back into this world right around the time you and Fiyero got engaged. I think she was hoping that I would somehow check Miss Elphaba; well, that did not happen as I never got close enough to her to make a difference. Fast forward to you throwing her in Southstairs, and I thought I was free. Little did I know I would be used to keep her in touch with the world outside."

"So you're telling me there are more sorcerers that work for Morrible out there?" Glinda asked.

"Not any of distinction. We Adepts play a certain role: political, economic, social. So there are a number of us but not any like me; as far as I know, that is. The Bitch tends to keep us separated so we don't plot against her."

"I'm so sorry, Pfannee." Glinda said softly. "I never knew."

"Of course not, Miss Glinda," Pfannee sneered, "but then again, when did you ask? You were too caught up in your perfect world to ask about the people who had been your friends. Do you even know what happened to the rest of your so called friends? Crope, Tibbett, Avaric, Boq, or Milla?"

"I know Avaric is still doing well enough, and I know about Boq's…situation. But I can't say after that."

"Too busy even after all these years. Crope and Tibbett are doing well, if you care; Crope runs a theater and Tibbett makes his tiktok set pieces."

"What about Milla?"

Pfannee's face softened.

"I don't know. I reconnected with her a couple of months after I got out, but then she just disappeared. I've looked all these years but have not been able to find her. Considering her red hair you'd think she'd be easy to find."

"I'm sorry, Pfannee. For everything." Glinda said. Pfannee's face hardened.

"And what does your pity get me, hm? You and your lover have had the time of your lives." At Glinda's stunned face, Pfannee laughed. "Oh yes, Miss Glinda, I know. Don't worry, though; I will not tell. I am not cruel. Though, the Bitch is. For your sake, I hope she needs you in one piece."

"Then what do you get out of this, Pfannee? You're not in it for revenge, and you don't seem to want power."

"I want to be left alone."

"Then just leave! Let me go and leave! I swear I won't come looking for you, and Elphaba and I will deal with Morrible."

"How will you deal with her? She has all of Oz at her call. Even if I could just leave, I have someone who I care about that she would hurt."

"That's what she blackmailed you with; someone you love. Who is he?" Glinda asked and at Pfannee's silence Glinda's mind turned. "It's not a he, is it? It's a she. Can it be…Shenshen?"

"Shut up." Pfannee growled.

"It is. When did that happen?" Glinda asked softly. Pfannee glared at her, but the real interest and caring in Glinda's eyes broke her.

"When you started taking up with Elphaba at Shiz. We grew closer, and then grew closer. By the end of Shiz I wanted to marry her."

"But Morrible found out."

"Yes. She blackmailed the both of us. She couldn't make Shenshen an Adept. I love her to death, but she isn't the most mindful of people. Her head tends to always be in the clouds." Pfannee said with a distant look and small smile on her face. Her eyes refocused and the smile died. "Plus her family would not have it."

"But yours would?"

"We're not as wealthy as some. When Morrible offered my parents money in exchange for two years of immersion schooling, they jumped at it."

"That's horrible."

"That's life. I am the second daughter in a family of two boys and three girls. They needed money for schooling and to get my brothers into the careers suited for them."

"I'm sorry Pfannee. I never knew."

"You never cared to ask."

"I know. I thought I've changed since those days, but I guess not enough."

"You have changed, Miss Glinda; it's just so has the world."

There was a silence between them. Glinda looked to Pfannee to see the other woman looking down. Her eyes held a sadness that Glinda knew, for it reflected her own in the years Elphaba was gone. The blonde woman slowly slid a hand out to cover Pfannee's own. The other blonde looked at her sharply but did not pull her hand away.

"I do not blame you for any of this, you know." Glinda said softly. Pfannee's response was to laugh bitterly.

"Really? And why is that?"

"As you said, it is not of your own choice. Perhaps if all this comes out well we can try to start again."

"You won't guilt me into letting you go."

"I have no intention of trying to. I know Morrible would take it out on the both of you if I escaped. No, I will go to her."

"Are you so resigned to your fate?" Pfannee hissed.

"No." Glinda said with a small smile. "I just know Elphaba will come for me."

"Do you think she can take on all of Oz?"

"She did it before, didn't she? And she's even stronger now." Glinda said as her smile grew, and Pfannee felt the chill of truth to her words.

"We will leave tonight under the cover of darkness. I hope Elphaba comes for you soon."

"Knowing her, she is already on her way."

Elphaba awoke from a deep sleep. She sat up and groaned as her muscles stiffly protested. Glancing at the clock, she realized she had been asleep for over nine hours. Anger blossomed within her.

"Chistery!" she yelled. The Monkey walked in the door immediately, telling Elphaba he had been waiting for her.

"Yes, My Lady?"

"I told you no more than six hours!" she snapped.

"Your body slept naturally after the draught wore off. You've pushed yourself to the limits the last couple of days; you needed the rest. Besides, we just got some news that may interest you."

"What?"

"If you will follow me, My Lady."

Elphaba leaned over and grabbed the satchel containing the Grimmerie from next to her bed. The other magical book would stay in Kiamo Ko where it would be safe. Elphaba slung the strap across her shoulder, grabbed her cloak, donned her hat, and picked up her broom. Pausing for a moment, she grabbed an almost forgotten talisman from a pack. It could be useful. Chistery led her to a small dining room and as they entered so did some porters. They set a bowl of porridge as well as a plate of toast, potatoes and fruit at one of the seats. Another came in with a hot kettle and poured something dark into a cup. Elphaba looked at Chistery.

"Coffee." He replied. "I remember how you liked it."

"Coffee from Ev? It's rare even in Shiz and the Emerald City."

"We have some contacts." Chistery said with a smile. When Elphaba stared at him, he elaborated. "Those outside of Oz do not stigmatize the Flying Monkeys. As housing them all here would be a burden, they serve as priority messengers. No one in or around Oz can cover more ground than a Flying Monkey; except for the Witch, of course."

"So they're all not here?"

"No. You may not know this, My Lady, but we Monkeys have a very fast growth and maturity cycle. In the intervening years our population has gotten a bit larger. Some went out to start their own nest and rookeries. We're still home for all of them; they're just not always here."

"Can you call them back?"

"I did after Miss Glinda's capture. Unfortunately, some are still performing services and Kiamo Ko could not hold all the Monkeys for long. I've told them to stand by should we need them."

"Thank you Chistery. Not what interesting news did you have?" Elphaba said as she took a drink of her coffee, and began to eat her food.

"It seems Jinjuria has reached the outskirts of the Emerald City."

"What?" Elphaba said, dropping her fork.

"Yes."

"Did the Home Guard not try to stop them? What about the Gale Force?"

"Apparently the Home Guard regiment sent to stop them got ensnared in their trap. The women of the town they were stationed at took up with the soldiers, and used it to feed Jinjuria information. When she came into sight, a good portion of the Home Guard's soldiers were either locked away, had not arms to fight with, or simply did not want to fight. The rest fled back to the City leaving much of their equipment behind. Jinjuria scooped that up, and the women, and continued towards the City. As for the male Home Guard left behind, the Munchkin Militia either recruited those who were Munchkinlanders or sent them home."

"What about the Gale Force?"

"They did not have the numbers to contest Jinjuria, and even if they did, the Munchkin Militia could have used it to wipe them out afterward. They retreated as well. So now there is a three way stand-off outside the Emerald City: Jinjuria, The Tinman, and the Emerald City Forces."

"Won't they just draw the Home Guard from elsewhere? Or even the Royal Army?"

"At this point the Royal Army is unreliable with all the non-Emerald City people in it, so they'll keep it away. The Home Guard elsewhere is keeping other Munchkinland forces in check. If they withdraw towards the City, the Munchkinlanders may be able to come from behind, or steal the Glikkus."

"Since when did you become a brilliant strategist?"

"I'm just telling you what your advisors tell me."

"So how do I get in?"

"Well, you have Jinjuria's army camped on the northern side of Restwater and the Munchkin Militia on the south side. The Home Guard is split, camping at the Shiz and Munchkin Hole Gates. The Gale Force is in the City proper."

"So the only way is in from the west?"

"Yes, but not from the air. The Gale Force is watching for you that way. You'll have to sneak in from the ground."

"How?"

"There is an encampment of Animals that are part of the Resistance in the forests to the west. They can get you in."

"When do they expect me?"

"As soon as we received this letter."

"Then I'll go now." Elphaba said and stood up.

"My Lady?"

"Yes?"

"Please finish your breakfast first. You'll need your strength."

Elphaba nodded at his wisdom and quickly ate the rest of the food. Draining her coffee, she walked by Chistery and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you, My Lady."

The pair walked in silence into the courtyard. As they entered all the bustle of traffic and routine quieted as those around stopped to watch. Elphaba nodded to them, mounted her broom, and then looked at Chistery.

"Hold down the castle until I return, Chistery."

"As always, My Lady." He replied solemnly and bowed his head. With that, Elphaba kicked off and into the night. Chistery watched her go, hoping for her safe return.

Elphaba streaked from Kiamo Ko and down the east side of the Kells. Normally she would have stayed high, but she was hoping to avoid any observers. As such hovered about fifty feet above the ground. She doubted anyone would see her black silhouette on the moonless night. The Emerald City was quite a bit of distance from Kiamo Ko, but Elphaba made good time of it. As she neared a pale glow cast itself on the horizon. Coming closer Elphaba could see it was the light from thousands of fires surrounding the city. Elphaba pulled up short a dozen miles out, and slowly ascended to get a better picture.

Elphaba could see the four distinct camps of the groups around the city. Though she had an intellectual grasp of the numbers, seeing the fires made it real to her. To the south were the Home Guard and Munchkin camps, almost equal in size (with the Munchkin being somewhat bigger). However, to the north a camp dwarfed all the others. It spread out over the vast plains for miles. It was the camp of Jinjuria, the General of the Female Army of Munchkinland

Elphaba knew Chistery had been right; there would be no way to fly in. The Emerald City's walls were lit up and had guards patrolling. The only way would be to sneak in. Elphaba reoriented herself, and then made for the meeting location. She did not see anyone as she neared, but knew that meant nothing. She landed and then moved to conceal herself in the shadows of a tree.

A few minutes later a group came into the clearing. Elphaba could see it was two Animals, on all fours as was comfortable, and watched them sniff the air. They turned to her.

"You may come out, Your Goodness. We know you're here." One said gruffly. Elphaba thought he sounded familiar. Coming out she saw it was a Bear, and then recognition hit her.

"Sir Barrington, nice to see you again." She said and focused on the other one. "You too, Brrr."

"Nice to see you also, Your Goodness." Brrr replied. "I wish I could say it was under better circumstances."

"As do I. But that's why I am here. The skies are being watched quite a bit. I don't think flying will be an option."

"Neither did we, Your Goodness." Barrington agreed. "I think the best way would be to sneak you in by a hidden path."

"And what path would that be? There seems to be no free place." Elphaba asked. Barrington smiled.

"How do you feel about water, Your Goodness?"

"I do not like this idea." Elphaba said. They were in the false bottom of a flat barge that was scheduled to bring supplies up the Emerald Canal that morning. Elphaba had caught a quick nap as they had waited the few hours to get under way.

"It will be perfect, Your Highness." Barrington replied. "The supplies above us are too desperately needed for the Home Guard or Gale Force to give a very thorough searching. We shall be fine."

"And if we are not? What then?"

"Then we create diversion. Do you remember the way I showed you to the warehouse from the map?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you remember the plan?"

"Meet the Resistance inside and sneak into the Palace."

"Good. Now, we are approaching the gate. We need to be quiet."

Both Barrington and Elphaba sat in silence as they heard grappling hooks hit the surface of the ship. Boots thudded sharply on the deck above them, and hear the captain talking to the soldiers. They held their breath, fearing even that something as simple as that would betray them, but the boots thudded away and they felt the easy sway as the ship began to move forward again. Both let out a sigh of relief.

After a few minutes the boat came to the dock and they could feel it being unloaded. Both Elphaba and Barrington climbed through the trapdoor that led from the false bottom into a false bottomed crate. They shut both and waited. The crate soon lifted up, and there was a grunt as the workers lifted them.

"I thought they said there was only flour in this box." They heard one man complain.

"Ever wonder how much flour it takes to feed an army? Of course it's heavy. Stop yapping and focus on what you are doing."

The man grunted but did not say anything. Suddenly, the two passengers' world went askew and they landed heavily on their side. Unfortunately, this meant the two contrabands went spilling out of the box and on top of the flour. The two men stared wide eyed at them.

"What?" was the only thing they managed to stutter out before Barrington roared.

"Run!" Elphaba recognized at the end of the roar. Elphaba scooped her hat and broom and took off down a side street. She could hear the whistle and shouts of them being pursued.

"We can't outrun them!" she yelled back to Barrington.

"Do not worry about it." Barrington growled as he clattered down the streets behind her. Elphaba went to ask why, but her world exploded in a cacophony of noise.

Glinda felt a sense of surrealism as Pfannee led her easily into the City passed all the checks. None of the guards seemed to recognize Glinda under her hood and grime. The tall blonde woman strode deftly down the streets leading them towards the Palace. As they neared, she turned down a street away from the Palace and into a shop. She gave a wave to the owner and they passed into the back and down into the cellar. Pfannee stopped at a door to take out a key, unlocked it, and ushered Glinda through. Afterwards she slammed it shut and relocked it.

The tunnel they walked through was damp and smelled of mold. Pfannee had cast a light ball to help them maneuver, but Glinda still felt the dark and chill was encroaching on her. Luckily they did not have to walk far as they reached another door and Pfannee repeated the process. Glinda recognized the room as a storeroom of the Palace, but what it held she was uncertain as it was covered in dust. Pfannee led her from the room before she could satisfy her curiosity. The other woman guided her to the private suites of the Palace but need not have; Glinda knew the way still. In the antechamber of the Throne Minister's suite sat Morrible. She smiled as they entered.

"Glinda, how good to see you again." She said with a slight incline of her head.

"Mordrea." Glinda replied with a slight curtsy. Morrible's lips twitched slightly.

"It would be proper to address me as Throne Minister."

"As it would be proper to address me as such. However, I think we are well enough acquainted to drop the formalities. Don't you agree?" Glinda asked politely. Morrible frowned. Her eyes flicked to Pfannee.

"I see you've met my Adept. A useful creature, wouldn't you say?"

"Miss Pfannee has developed quite the talent for sorcery. I guess she just had what it takes. You always had a good eye for that sort of thing, Mordrea."

"Yes. Her talent was late, but it bloomed farther than some we know." Morrible added smugly.

"Well, she has had the good fortune to focus solely on her sorcery these past years. Others have been busy with important tasks that relegated sorcery to a lesser priority." Glinda retorted smoothly. Morrible frowned and a vein began to pulse in her forehead.

"Some would have rather it been such but could not due to situations forced upon them." She said through gritted teeth.

"The strong always persevere, Mordrea. I believe you told me that at Shiz, once." Glinda replied sweetly and with a smile.

"And I have, haven't I!" exploded Morrible. "I persevered after you through me in Southstairs!"

"Why, Modrea, I did nothing of the sort. You cannot embezzle state funds and get away with it. Not without covering your tracks!" Glinda said jovially and before Morrible could interrupt continued. "And just look! You've come out stronger and more venerable than before."

"I hope it is the same for you!" Morrible yelled. "Adept! Take her away! Put her in Cell C3. That should keep her well."

Morrible spun around and stood defiantly. Glinda curtseyed, making sure Morrible could see it in the mirror, and then let Pfannee escort her out. Glinda walked behind the other woman in silence but could not help but let out a giggle. Pfannee fell in line with her.

"That was unwise, provoking her like that. She could have killed you." Pfannee said seriously.

"Possible. Morrible's a snob. The only way she would kill someone is by magic. And as you know, magical binding spells-"

"Get broken if the person gets casted upon. So you were trying to provoke her with that." Pfannee said surprised.

"Partially. Partially it was because Morrible could never take insults as well as she could give them. Too easy to anger. And I was not going to just stand there and take it. Let her lose sleep fuming; I will sleep just fine." Glinda said with a smile.

"You might not have ended up in a cell." Pfannee suggested. Glinda scoffed.

"Of course I would have. It was all part of her plan from the moment she was informed of my capture. I was going to come, and beg, and she would seem lenient, and then throw me in a cell anyway; probably with some cheesy line about turnabout. Here, she feels cheated and forced into her original idea. I stole that from her."

"You've been hanging out with Miss Elphaba too much. Her insanity is rubbing off on you." Pfannee said with a sigh of defeat.

"I know; it's positively wonderful, isn't it?" Glinda beamed.

Pfannee laughed and the two women enjoyed light conversation as they continued towards her cell. Standing outside of it, Glinda turned to Pfannee.

"I meant what I said; I hold none of this against you. If this turns out well, I hope we can reconnect." Glinda said.

"Me too." Pfannee answered dejectedly. "I just don't know how it can."

"Don't worry." Glinda said and reached out a hand to squeeze the taller woman's shoulder. "Elphaba's coming, and we will make it right."

"How?"

"I don't know, but when she and I get together, there isn't anything we can't do." Glinda replied with a smile. Pfannee returned it, and the small blonde pulled the bigger one into a hug. When they broke, Pfannee unlocked the door and ushered Glinda in. The blonde woman stood in darkness as the door closed and her eyes adjusted. Seeing the dank (but not so little) cell, she sighed.

"Seeing you here does not bring me hope." Came a voice. Glinda recoiled towards the door and the little bit of light there was.

"Who's that? Who's there?" Glinda replied. She cursed the quiver in her voice.

"Relax, Glinda, its me." Came the voice again and she heard shuffling. When the light hit the person she gasped and put her hands to her mouth.

"Fiyero."