Well, this is the last chapter of my longest story ever! I'm so happy that people like this story. Even if you rarely reviewed, I see a lot of favorites and follows, so that's awesome! I used to think Dangerous was my baby, but no. This is my baby. Sure, Dangerous is the most personal to me, and The Little Witch got the most reviews, but this … I'm really proud of this story, because I love Wicked and I love If/Then, and of course I ADORE the woman who graced both of those shows with her talent, Miss Idina Menzel herself. In fact, she gets the dedication for this fic, since it was ultimately inspired by her performances as Elphaba and Elizabeth.

Of course, I do not have the skills of Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, Tom Kitt, or Brian Yorkey, so I do not own either Wicked or If/Then.

Enjoy this last chapter!

Chapter 28

Faba

Lukas staggered back into St. Prowd's Inn, holding the newspaper in shock. "Lukas!" Aiistia exclaimed, rushing over to him. "What happened? You look as if you've been hit by a truck!"

"She's dead," Lukas said. "Faba's dead."

Aiistia's eyes widened. "What?! How?"

"It says she melted, but … that can't be right." Lukas breathed deeply, trying to control himself. "But, either way, she's gone, Aiistia."

"Oh Oz," Aiistia whispered. "Lukas, I'm so sorry. I know how much she meant to you."

"I doubt you do." He turned away from her.

She smiled sadly. "I'm gonna go tell the others. They need to know."Aiistia hesitated. "Lukas … I know you loved her very much, but … she's not the only fish in the sea. Think about that." Lukas knew what she meant. He had known for a while, but he wasn't ready. Not yet.

As soon as Aiistia got back into her hotel room, she was immediately lobbed with questions. "Where did Lukas go?"

"Is he alright?"

"Does he have any news?"

"Quiet!" Aiistia commanded. "Lukas does have news. Elphaba Melena Thropp, otherwise known as the Witch of the West and the savior of all Animals, has been murdered." Instantly, everyone fell silent.

"How was she killed?" a Gazelle finally asked.

Aiistia sighed. "Like with most everything, our government has given us false information on that score. They tell us that the little girl from Kan-ziz melted her with a bucket of water, but it is my personal belief that she was captured and subsequently tortured to death. May all Animals weep. And let's raise our glasses to Faba."

"To Faba!" everyone chorused.

Meanwhile, in the Emerald City, much festivating was going on. "Yes, ladies and gentlemen," Glinda confirmed for the thousandth time. "The Wicked Witch of the West is dead. May all Oz rejoice. Now, if you'll excuse me, as your new ruler, I have much to attend to. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Lady Glinda!" many people said in unison.

As soon as Glinda stepped back inside the Palace, her smile dropped and she sighed heavily. She wasn't as strong as Faba. Faba would have told them all everything, no matter what, but Glinda just couldn't. Oz needed a good ruler anyway. She was almost thankful Fiyero was dead, because she knew that he would have been just as devastated as her. But then she remembered someone who was still alive and going through the same pain she was. She started making her way to the back door of the Palace.

But as she was exiting the Palace, she heard a voice. "Lady Glinda?"

Glinda turned to see a young woman dressed in a business suit approach her. "Hello, miss!" she chirped, giving yet another fake smile. "How may I help you?"

"I … just wanted to say that the speech you just gave was very convincing," the woman said nervously. "I'm a lawyer, so I know all about rhetoric. In a different life, I bet you could've been a lawyer!"

Glinda smiled again, this time almost for real. "Well, thank you! What's your name, miss?"

"Milla Jeefer."

Glinda shook Milla's hand. "Call me Glinda." As their hands touched, Glinda's heart fluttered, and she felt the ghost of the feeling she had always felt at Shiz when a guy would fawn over her. "Um … you can come by the Palace anytime. I haven't had anyone to talk to in a while."

"Me either!" Milla said with a grin. "I will!" Glinda had a feeling that eventually she could tell Milla about her best friend.

The Animals were at St. Prowd's, just like Glinda thought they would be. She found Lukas leaning against a wall, eyes blank. She approached him cautiously. "Lukas?"

He turned his head. "Glinda. She's gone."

"I know. Are you alright?"

"What do you think?" Lukas sighed. "I loved her so much, but she never knew. We had huge fight once, and I called her … I called her wicked, Glinda! And she took that to heart!"

Glinda grabbed his paw. "I'm sure she knew you didn't really mean it."

Fifty miles north, Fiyero helped Faba out of the trapdoor. "It's time to go," he told her gently.

Faba sighed. "I know. I just wish …"

"What?"

"I wish that Glinda and Lukas could know that we're alive," Faba said sadly. "I know; they can't, but …"

"Yeah," Fiyero agreed. "I've never met this Lukas, so I don't know about him, but I will miss Glinda." He held out his arm for her to take. "Come."

Elphie

In her apartment, Fiyero rocked Elphie in his arms as she finished her story. "That wasn't Lukas in that cell," she said determinedly. "It was just a bear. Lukas is gone. And my father took him from me!"

"No, he didn't," Fiyero argued. "Your father is a kindly, senile man who wants you to go visit him in Munchkinland. You may be related by blood to Oscar, Elphie, but he doesn't have to be your father."

Elphie smiled and buried her face into his chest. "I missed you, you know. Don't you dare scare me like that again."

Fiyero kissed the top of her head. "I'll try not to."

Elphaba

You stop and say hey to a stranger,

And then where will it lead, who can know?

But you learn how to love the not knowing,

So here I go,

Here I go,

Here I go!

You choose and then everything changes,

Take a breath and then fly off the cliff.

And you know that there's no turning back,

No turning back,

No turning back!

And you wonder, "What if?"

What if?

And for the first time ever, Elphaba Thropp was content with her life. Not entirely happy, but content.

And that, my pretties, is that. I really hope you enjoyed this story!

Now, it might be awhile before I post another story. I'm still adjusting to college life and all that jazz. But by all means, if you have suggestions, bring 'em on!

Until then …

Cheers,

Elle Dottore