I recently posted a oneshot set during Defying Gravity separately, so I don't think I want to make a sort of copy for this series. Instead I decided to focus on this scene (which I am secretly hoping they bring back for the movie) to explore Elphaba's radicalisation and eventual disillusionment with Oz.
The incessant raindrops battering down on the window panes could not have fazed her less at that moment. If anything, they spelled out a rhythm to her joy.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
As her heart leapt wildly.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She could no longer fight the smile threatening to slip through her defences, and creep onto her face. She never smiled; there was usually nothing to smile about. But this was different. Today was special.
"We've really done it!"
These words were still echoing through her ears, as she finally gave in to the excitement and allowed a laugh to ring out into the dark classroom.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
It became the music that they danced to. Her and Doctor Dillamond and Fiyero. Celebrating the success of their work.
Celebrating all the good that this could bring to Oz.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
And it all suddenly felt worth it. All the late nights and early starts. All the groggy mornings when she would have liked nothing more than to stay in bed like all the others did. But she hadn't. She had committed herself fully to this cause, and it had finally paid off.
She felt so much lighter, as the elation made its way to her head, enveloping her senses with a golden light. It almost felt as though she could lift off the ground at any moment.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
This was the most rewarding thing she had ever done, she decided. It had truly opened her eyes to the intricacies of Oz… Of life.
And so, in that instant, she knew: she would stop at nothing to continue helping the Animals. For as long as she would live.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
If she could feel like this again - better yet, if she could help others to feel this way - she knew it would be worth anything life could hurl at her.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She might even learn to fly…
But she was still so young. She still believed the best in people. And when true horrors lie just in a simple knock at the door, the magic of good deeds can quickly be devoured by corrupting evil…