Thank you to heatqueen for reviewing. Pfannee is supposed to be more of a tragic villain in comparison to Morrible, who is more of an evil villain. And I'm glad I shocked you.

Thank you to SceintificHolligan for reviewing. You did.

Thank you to chinaluv for reviewing.

Thank you to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I'm happy you feel for Pfanne, and Elphaba will certainly go. And I'm glad you liked Glinda's face off with Morrible. I always wondered why Morrible, the press secretary, kept making very stupid mistakes in the musical that essentially drove her plans into the ground. So I gave her a penchant for gloating too much.

Thank you to RavenCurls for reviewing. For Fiyero, you'll have to wait and see, wont you? And no one knows Sarima's an adept. They were all a bit busy to put two and two together. And lol to Chistery playing politics.

Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. For some reason your review reminded me of Meg from Hercules. "I'm a damsel, I'm in distress. Have a nice day."

Thank you to chokingonhello for reviewing. I know, its getting a bit soap opera-y. What can I say? But don't die! You haven't gotten to the end yet. I've written over 100k words just to get to the end, and it's the BEST part! You may die there, though.

Thank you to Varia for reviewing. Yes it does.

Thank you to wickedly amusing for reviewing. I've done that to many a story, and I'm always honored when people tell me mien have done the same. And I guess I'm going to lose half my readership with the way I am killing them. ;) The spellbook from earlier is exactly that: a scientific style book of magic. I modeled it after the work I had to do in grad school (which I just turned my thesis in for). It has a part to play, but not much more in this story.

For all my lovely readers calling the Fiyero twist: What can I say? I tried to make it not obvious, but it really was.

By my outline's count there are four chapters left after this one. Maybe one or two more if they expand beyond my normal 5k limit.

As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and Critiques welcome by review or pm. Thank you.

"What the hell was that?" Elphaba yelled as she slowly picked herself up off the ground.

"A diversion." Barrington replied grimly. "Hopefully no one was hurt too bad."

"You blew up a barge!" Elphaba retorted in disbelief. Barrington looked at her.

"Yes, we did. But it was needed; we could not have the captain be caught. Now come, let us go." He said and loped off. Elphaba held her broom tight and followed.

"So you killed him?" Elphaba growled. Barrington snorted.

"Hardly. The man knew the plan if we were caught. He dove into the canal the second we spilled out of the container. Who did you think lit the fuse?"

"Oh."

"Stop here." Barrington said, and they ducked into an alley. "I think it best if we split up."

"Why?"

"They'll be looking for a Bear and a woman. If you take off your hat and pull up your cloak they won't notice you. I, on the other hand, can lead them away."

"To where?"

"I do not know yet, but the other members should have heard the explosion and know something has gone wrong."

"So to the warehouse?"

"No. The other members will be mustering and then take to the streets. I fear you will have to find Lady Glinda on your own."

"How am I supposed to do that? The Palace will be crawling with Gale Force!"

"Something tells me they will be busy with the Resistance for that. Now go, and duck into someplace to hide for a couple of hours. It is going to get worse, and that is when you should come out."

"I know just the place. Thank you Barrington."

"It's my pleasure, Your Goodness. Now go."

Elphaba tucked her hat away and threw up the hood of the cloak she was wearing. She went south in the direction of the old Emerald City Market, moving slowly from place to place to seem as just another woman doing errands. A few times she saw Gale Force and ducked into alleys or doorways, but they clattered by in a hurry. They did not seem to pay much attention to a cloaked woman. Finally, Elphaba made her way into a more deserted area of the City.

Near the old Emerald City markets was an area of slums. Buildings leaned drunkenly and wind howled through unshuttered buildings. Elphaba knew this area, had been here before with the Resistance, but it still made her uneasy. She found the building she was looking for: an old, unused grain exchange. It had a room at the top that most did not know about and Elphaba only found by accident. It also had a ladder to the skylight at the top of the room, allowing Elphaba to peer over the City in obscurity.

As she pushed the door open and crept up the creaking stairs, she hoped wherever Glinda was she was still doing fine.

"Fiyero." Glinda breathed. "But you were dead?"

"Almost dead." He replied evenly. "But that's ancient history."

"No, we heard you caught on fire during the riots that overthrew the Throne Minister."

"Oh, that. Yeah, I did. But I didn't go up in flames. You see, over our months of separation I started to change my stuffing to a bran mixture. There were too many 'accidents' with flames coming near me for comfort. So I did go up, but my cloth did not get more than singed."

"So what are you doing here?"

"Morrible couldn't exactly have me still alive and ready to succeed the Throne Minister could she? So, after she found out that the Throne Minister locked me up in here, she made me a deal. Relinquish claim and she would treat me fairly. Sounded pretty good, plus it kept me out of a cell. Of course I was still locked up, but I had books and could get out some. I think she planned a reveal or something later on to shore herself up."

"So how did you end up in this dank old place?" Glinda asked. She walked over near him.

"Well, I was content until they started fretting about the Arjiki joining the war. That made me a little nervous, but my father would never move against the City; it would leave him too vulnerable. Then I heard that the Wicked Witch had shown back up. I tried smooth talking my way to being an envoy to the Arjiki, but I think Morrible was on to me. About a week ago she caught me trying to sneak out and put me in here."

"I see."

"How did you end up here, Glinda?" Fiyero asked cautiously, and there was a pause before he quietly added, "And where is Elphaba?"

Glinda sat down next to Fiyero and sighed.

"We were at Kiamo Ko. What you heard was somewhat true. The northern Arjiki were very happy to have Elphaba back."

"They always did like her." Fiyero muttered.

"Yes. Anyway, they had a regiment of Animals, Arjiki, and Monkeys called the Witch Guard at the castle. I'm guessing that's what the army you heard was. That, and Elphaba enlisting the Scrow and their confederate tribes for support."

"The Scrow? How did you run into them?"

"Their Princess camped them directly in our path and requested a meeting."

"You met Nastoya? No one outside the Scrow has met her."

"Yes, well, it was an interesting audience to say the least."

"Next you're going to tell me you've convinced the Yunamata to join your side."

"No, but we ran into them too. Elphaba blasted a party with magic, and they took off."

"That sounds like Yunamata. Probably a war party."

"Oh, it was. Anyway, Elphaba was gathering support for herself in the Vinkus. Morrible probably thought she was going to come and take the Throne from her."

"Why? Elphaba would hate it."

"Morrible doesn't understand that people do not want exactly what she wants. All she knows is that is what she would do, so that's what she thought Elphaba was going to do."

"What was the plan?"

"Essentially get enough support to keep Morrible from coming to the Vinkus and let her be herself. I doubt she would have lasted outside a year. She's not the most delicate of people, and playing politics is harder if you're the one in front."

"So she wasn't building an army."

"Not exactly. She did contact Boq and Jinjuria, but both told her no. The Barons of Gillikin knew I was with her, and don't particularly like Morrible, so they were staying out of it too. The only power she had was the Emerald City and the Home Guard."

"Neither which venture into the Vinkus per rule."

"I always wondered why. Even as Throne Minister I could never get a straight answer."

"The Wizard, a few years after he took over, decided to try to reign in us unseemly barbarians." He started and Glinda could hear the smile in his voice. "He sent a few regiments of both the Home Guard and what would become the Gale Force into the Vinkus. All that came back to him was headless bodies. After that he banned any troops going into the Vinkus."

"Well I never."

"And that's why the thought of a Vinkun army coming towards the Emerald City scares them so much. But that doesn't explain to me how you got here."

"While Elphie was organizing all the Resistance, her Witch's Guard, and the people of the Vinkus, I'd move around Red Windmill. Doing the Good thing, you understand."

"Naturally."

"Well, one of those times I was ambushed by an Adept of Morrible's. We fought her before in Wittica, but she got away then."

"I heard about some sort of disturbance, and you being kidnapped by a dark sorceress, but I thought that was before the Vinkus."

"We were attacked by a dark sorceress; the Adept. But I used that excuse to trick the people my Popsicle brought with him when I asked him to sneak us back to our Manor. It also gave me a nice reason to stay secluded so much, and for my disappearance."

"So this Adept came back for the both of you?"

"I thought so, but my guess now she just came after me. You remember how powerful a sorceress Elphie is; she's gotten even stronger over the last couple of months. The Adept probably knew she couldn't beat Elphie in a straight fight, nevertheless both of us. When she ambushed me she shot me with some sort of dart that made me tired, and I still almost beat her."

"So I'm guessing she brought you here?"

"Yes she did, but not before binding my magic."

"That's unfortunate. We could use some magic right about now."

"That's an understatement."

There was a long pause. Glinda was feeling a little uncomfortable, but was doing her best to hide it. She was hoping against hope that the conversation would end here. It was not to be.

"So, you thought I was dead?" Fiyero started gently.

"Yes, we did."

"How did Elphaba take it?"

"Not very well." Glinda said quietly. She squirmed a bit and was happy Fiyero did not notice. The next comment made her squirm more.

"At least I know she still cares about me."

"Of course she does." Glinda managed to get out with an even voice. She was fighting to keep her body from shaking.

"I had started to wonder; about her and about myself. But these last few months really showed me I do still love her." He said, and Glinda could not reply. She was saved as Fiyero continued. "If we manage to get out of here, and she manages to turn me back, I think I'll ask her to come back with me to Kiamo Ko. It's time for me to settle down and do right by my people and by her."

After that, Glinda could no longer control herself. She began to shake and tears threatened. She sniffled a few times, holding them back, but Fiyero finally noticed.

"You must be exhausted." He said. "I'll stop blathering and let you get some rest. There's what passes as a bed her in the corner. It's really just a large cloth stuff with straw, but it will do. There's a blanket, too."

Fiyero led her over to it and she lay down. The straw bed was uncomfortable, but she was not so far past the nights spent sleeping outside that she minded. Glinda rolled the cloak she was wearing into a pillow, and rested her head on it. Fiyero placed the blanket over her.

"Pleasant dreams, Glinda." He said softly, and Glinda closed her eyes. She did not think she would be able to rest, but exhaustion hit her like a wave and she soon slipped into sleep.

"General." A man said, snapping to attention before a man trimmed in silver and black. They were in a nice flat near the walls of the Emerald City. The General had commandeered it for use so he was never far away from his Gale Forcers.

"Yes? Have you found out who caused the explosion?"

"Yes sir. It was an Animal and a woman in a cloak."

"And the captain?"

"Shot sir, as he tried to escape."

"An Animal and a woman, you say. Hmm." The General mused. He went over the possibilities in his head, but only one fit. "It must have been Munchkinland, trying to cause a diversion so they could strike."

"Sir, the woman was described as tall." The solider replied. The General shot him a dark look.

"Some Munchkins are tall, Captain. But not all Munchkins are women; only those who are part of that harlot's army." He replied and the Captain's eyes widened.

"They're working together."

"Yes. It was always a possibility, but with how she humiliated that tin idiot I did not think so. However, this proves otherwise. They manufactured the reason to cross into Emerald City territory, and had us take them too lightly. I won't make the same mistake. Send a message to Commander Ess Tee. We're going to strike at the forces."

"Yes sir, General Cherrystone."

"Commander, a message from General Cherrystone." A soldier said as he snapped to attention. They were in a tent near of the Emerald City Walls. After the humiliation of the regiment the Commander had sent before, he was not taking any chances. He had no use being in the City, and so watched over and encouraged his troops by being near them. He had been looking over force dispensations and a map in preparation for any upcoming fights.

"What does it say?"

"He wants you to move against both armies?"

"What?" he asked sharply and the soldier paled. "Why?

"Apparently the explosion early in the City was the work of the two armies together, and trying to divert our attention. He states we can catch them off guard."

"You don't catch anyone off guard after staring at them for two weeks." He growled, and then sighed. "He's an idiot. He can't see past what he would do so he can't see the obvious answer."

"What might that be, sir?" the soldier asked cautiously.

"That it was the Resistance. Yes, it was an Animal and woman, but it targeted a flour supply. Food that is needed to keep the citizens from rioting and the Gale Force fed. You don't take a city with siege, but by hunger. And that's what would happen. Why bother trying to sneak forces in? They would be outnumbered, and it's unlikely the City's citizens would turn on the Throne Minister right now. They're still too content to wound their pride and submit to a Munchkinlander."

"So what are you planning to do, sir?" the soldier asked. The Commander shot him a withering glare.

"What do you mean, what am I going to do? I'm going to engage the Munchkinlanders as ordered."

"But they out number us, sir."

"We'll call the reinforcements from the City and the Gale Force."

"Sir, I am sorry to report, but the letter explicitly stated you were to conduct this attack without the Home Guard currently in the City, and without the Gale Forces help."

"That would have been helpful information at the beginning, Captain." The Commander said, voice like ice. The Captain withered a bit. "But I suppose that is my fault. I started a rant."

"Uh…"

"No need to answer. Cherrystone is a fool. He doesn't want to lose control of the City, but can't see that if the Home Guard is routed he will anyway."

"So, what is the plan, sir?"

"We'll attack the Tinman's army first; though I am loathe to admit it, Jinjuria is a superb general and has trained her soldiers well. She would trounce us before we gathered our forces. No, what we will do is load up our men into the empty carts that go into the City for supplies, and cover them with sheets. We will move all our forces except a token guard force through the City and join up with the others. Then we will try our hand at victory."

"Won't they notice us leaving?"

"I guess it would be too much luck for our positions to be reversed and the sun to be in their eyes. We'll leave the fires burning and tell the men to be very loud about everything. Our field fortifications should help obscure our movements somewhat."

"Yes sir."

"Well man, get to it! And don't tell the soldiers until the last possible minute. I don't want this getting overheard."

"Sir!" the Captain replied, and snapped to attention. He turned and quickly left. The Commander sighed and looked down at his map. He began to shift forces from one point to another, and try to come up with contingencies.

"My Lady!" came a particularly petite Munchkin. The redheaded woman looked up from her map.

"Yes?"

"There was an explosion inside the City."

"I am already aware."

"It was the Resistance, my Lady."

"I see. So they are capitalizing on the mayhem, also."

"No, my Lady, they weren't. Well, not in that manner."

"What then?"

"They were sneaking people in."

"Who?"

"A Bear and…well…"

"Come on, what's the matter?"

"I don't know whether or not to believe it."

"Just tell me."

"It was the Wicked Witch."

The ginger General straightened up and looked at the woman. Her eyes were hard.

"What Wicked Witch?"

"The Western one. Our girl said she saw her: green, hat, and everything."

Jinjuria turned around and clasped her hands behind her back. She rocked back and forward, and even extended her onto her toes. The captain was nervous as she had never seen her leader act this way, even in combat. Finally, Jinjuria turned.

"Good." She hissed. "Then I haven't missed my chance. Let the ladies know to keep on the lookout for anything suspicious. My guess is that our Guard Commander will try something. I need to know immediately thereafter."

"Yes, my Lady." The captain said. She turned and hurried out. Jinjuria smiled.

"I will make sure you pay this time, Witch. I swear it."

Elphaba cursed herself for falling asleep as a rumble woke her up. She quickly climbed the ladder to the skylight to see over the City. The rumble's cause was simple to figure out. A column of smoke and the sounds of shouts swarmed around it.

A unit of Home Guard surrounding some empty wagons was under attack by rioters in the City. Elphaba did not see any Animals among their number so she did not know if they were Resistance or just citizens. It could easily have been a mix, also. Another rumble shook the building, this time followed by an explosion. Elphaba craned her neck around to see more explosions from the south. It appeared that the Home Guard there had started an assault on the Munchkin Militia. Elphaba hurried down the ladder and gathered her things. Now would be as good a chance as she got.

"My Lady, the Home Guard-"

"I know. Get the ladies together. We'll attack the Home Guard camp now." Jinjuria said as she threw her general's cloak over her shoulders. She had taken it from the first man she had beaten in the field.

"Yes, my Lady!"

Commander Ess Tee watched as the Munchkin Militia tried to rally. He had been spotted by a particularly keen Munchkin scout, and had been forced to attack earlier than desired. It still had put them in disarray, and now all he needed to do was to keep pushing forward. Though the south wing of his army was vulnerable, the last of his army was coming through the City and would put the Militia to flight. He could not pursue, not with Jinjuria there, but he could take her unexpectedly in the side.

"Commander!" a messenger came galloping up to him on a horse.

"What is it?"

"Sir, the rest of the Home Guard is pinned down in the City. As they were crossing through unknown forces ambushed them from either side."

"Damn. How are they faring?"

"They're doing ok, sir, but that's only because they have more guns. They'll fall apart when their ammunition runs out."

"Damn again." The Commander growled. "Good work, lieutenant. It must have been very dangerous to get that message to me."

"Thank you, sir!"

"Take a breather, and then get ready to ride again." He turned towards his other messengers. "Take the word: blow the withdrawal. We'll move back towards the City."

"Sir." They all replied, grim faced. They saluted and took off. He took a look over the fighting again, and then cantered his horse over to where the artillery crew was starting to set up.

"Gentlemen." He said jovially. "I hope you weren't too comfortable becasue you'll not be staying. I want the long guns set up in front of the gate as soon as possible. Get them acclimated to cover the retreat. I'll get some engineers to start some fortification for you."

He rode over to his engineers. "I need you to start on field fortifications for the Munchkinhole Gate. We'll be holding there. Make them last, gentlemen. We may need them for a while."

They saluted, and he finally turned towards the messenger.

"Are you ready for another hell ride?" he asked lightly. The man nodded.

"Back to the Guard?"

"No. I need you to get to the northern detachment. Tell them to pull back to the Shiz Gate and to hole up there." He looked at him hard. "This is the utmost important, Lieutenant; it may well hold the key to victory."

"Yes sir! May I ask…?"

"Jinjuria will be coming that way if she's smart. And she is. Go!"

The messenger did not even bother to salute, just turned his horse and tore through the gate. Ess Tee turned his attention back to the battle. His lines were mvoing back in neat order, and the Militia was not pursuing. He sent for his second-in-command.

"You're in charge. Nothing heroic now. Get them back to the gate and dug in. Got it?"

"Yes sir!" the man said.

"Good." He turned to his bodyguards. "Well, are you coming?"

With that he galloped off into the City to save his embattled regiment.

Elphaba ducked from alley to alley, always making her way towards the Palace. She avoided the roving bands of rioters as well as the military. Neither would have hesitated for a second to lynch the Wicked Witch reappeared. As a group passed she ducked into a small alcove of a little theater. She was nearer to the center of the City, and the palace.

She heard the shouts and clatter of fighting ahead of her so she turned south. It would take longer to get there, but she might be able to miss the fighting if she came from the same direction as the Home Guard barracks. As she moved south she saw less rioters and her plan seemed to be working. She reached a courtyard, and could not see a way around it. Taking a deep breath, she broke out into the yard in a hurried walk.

All seemed to be going well as she headed north. There were no troops facing in neither direction. She picked up the pace, not wanting to test her luck. A clatter of boots from behind her drew her attention and she started even faster, but cut towards a closer section. A whistle sounded behind her and fear shot through her.

"Hey, you there! Stop!"

Elphaba broke out into a run and was almost across the courtyard when there was a gunshot. She heard it whistle past her ear and impact a building ahead of her. She froze and put her hands up. She was thankful she had the foresight to wear her long black gloves. The object in her left hand warmed to her touch.

"Turn around, slowly."

Elphaba did so, keeping her head bowed so her hood and hair obscured her face. She focused on the object in her left hand, willing it to work. Her breathing started to come quicker as she saw the group of soldiers in front of her. Around a hundred, they were a mix of Gale Force and Home Guard. Her nervous grew as they neared her. A man Gale Force black and silver outpaced them.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. There was grime on his face and Elphaba could tell he had already been in the fighting.

"Just to get some supplies to wait out the fighting." Elphaba responded demurely. She had hoped that they would just send her on her way. He hope was in vain.

"More like spying." He replied, his voice hard. "You'll come with us back to barracks."

"Not likely." Elphaba replied, and whispered her word of power. "Aetur."

A large gust of wind blew the man back and threw up all the dust in the streets. The soldiers coughed and looked around but could not see anything. Elphaba staggered away, clutching her head. The primal word of air was still hard for her to control, but at least she did start bleeding like last time. She got to the other side of the courtyard, but a shot rang out again.

"Don't move, witch." Growled the Gale Forcer. Elphaba froze but realized by his demeanor he had used the term generally, not specifically. "If I see you so much as speak I will shoot you dead."

Elphaba clenched her jaw and turned around. She had no idea how she was going to get herself out of this situation. The stone in her left hand blazed and she heard a sound of footsteps. A soldier swore and Elphaba looked around.

Men with swords poured out of the various entrances to the courtyard. They took up position in front of her and Elphaba saw a familiar face: the man from the Resistance who she had talked to about Duran. She was embarrassed to realize she had never gotten his name. He winked as he stepped up next to her.

"Ozian Royal Guard at your service, ma'am. Thought I saw these ruffians giving you some trouble."

"How did you know?" Elphaba asked in wonder.

"A little Bear told me. He tracked you to the Corn Exchange, and we sent a boy to keep an eye on you. When you moved, so did we."

"Boss, they've got a lot more muskets than we do." One young man said.

"I see that, young man. I guess we couldn't pray for some rain."

"You could pray," Elphaba said, "but I can answer."

"What? You can make rain?"

"Keep me covered." Elphaba replied, and closed her eyes.

The water spell came back to her, and she began to chant. She breathed deep, summoning the air she needed, and then began to swirl her arms. She brought them in front of her and gradually rose them. She continued to circle her arms above her and chant. She felt the coolness of the air and the men around her began to whisper. Elphaba opened her eyes and saw a dark cloud beginning to form.

She would not be content with covering only the courtyard; no, she would cover the City and the area around it. She would soak the powder and stop the fighting entirely. She saw the cloud grow and grow, and become darker and darker. She continued growing it until it blocked out the sun, and darkened the City to twilight. All around the City, fighting began to halt as people watched the swirling cloud grow. Finally, with one last push, there was a crack of thunder, and rain began to pour down in sheets.

There was commotion of clicking as the soldiers tried to fire their muskets. However, Elphaba's plan had worked perfectly; the powder was too wet to ignite. There was cursing and the soldiers fixed their bayonets or drew their swords.

"Got anymore tricks?" growled the Ozian commander. "They still outnumber us two to one."

"I don't want to waste anymore magic. I have the feeling I'm going to need it later."

"Shame. I thought the Wicked Witch would have a bit more." He replied flippantly but an idea popped into her brain.

"Maybe one more." She muttered, and then said louder. "Captain, when you see me advance, have your men part for me."

"Alright." He replied with a hint of confusion. His eyes focused as the Gale Force captain strode out in front. Elphaba did not pay attention to the words the man said, but stripped off her cloak and gloves. Some Royal Guard gave her looks of awe or almost concealed fear. Elphaba smiled, and cast an amplification spell on her voice.

"You think you can kill me, Captain, but you are wrong." She called over the Royal Guardsmen.

"You!" The Gale Force Captain called back. "I will see you hang for this, witch."

"You've seem to mistaken me for some mere conjurer of tricks." Elphaba replied with smug amusement.

"Really, and who might you be that I should fear you so?"

Elphaba threw her soaked hair over her shoulder, placed her hat on her head, and strode forward. The Royal Guard parted for her, and soon she was out in front of them. Her green skin almost glowed in the half-light of the storm, and as lightning split the sky it dimmed the world except for her skin. Elphaba could see the soldiers step back and their faces twist in fear.

"I am the Wicked Witch of the West!" Elphaba cackled and raised her arms skyward. "I have come back from the dead to claim this world, and not even water can harm me now! Prepare yourself, Captain, for your soul will be the first for my pleasure!"

The door's bolt slamming open startled Glinda from sleep. She went to stand but two guards pushed through the door and pulled her to her feet. They roughly turned her around and for a moment she feared the worst, but they tied her hands instead. Fiyero made a move to stop them, but the simply handled him the same way. They then almost dragged them out of the cell.

"Where are you taking us?" Glinda demanded. A guard pulled sharply on her bound hands in response, eliciting a groan of pain from Glinda.

"The Throne Minister has had enough with your rebel friends causing trouble and inciting the mob of the City. She figured the sight of you swinging will take the fight out of them." Said the man with a wicked grin.

Both captives gave the man a look of pure horror.

"You mean…" Fiyero started and the man's smile grew bigger.

"That's right. It's to the stake for you, Scarecrow, and the gallows for Lady Glinda."