A/N Watch out this chapter contains some foul language. But hopefully it's still an enjoyable chapter. Thanks for reading.
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The girls giggle nervously as they walk through the building. Another guard had told them that the wizard finally had time for them. He had escorted them to the door. Glinda had wondered how Oscar would manage so that Elphaba wouldn't see him. So many uncertainties still haunt her. But she knows that she has to be there for Elphaba now.
Elphaba feels like a little child, excited about her birthday. She tries to act professional, but she is so nervous.
Glinda stops Elphaba before she can open the door.
"Galinda?"
Glinda looks into Elphaba's eyes. "I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of you. You're here to meet the Wizard. Your great hero. You're going to help the Animals. I'm grateful that we're friends, Elphie. You've meant more to me than anyone else."
Elphaba quickly wipes away a tear. "Don't get sentimental now, I can't handle that."
Glinda quickly wipes a tear away as well and smiles.
"But you're right. I'm grateful to you. You're the only and best friend I could wish for. I don't know what my life will be like after this meeting, but I do know you'll be part of it."
Glinda hugs Elphaba. "Thank you."
Elphaba releases Galinda and takes a deep breath. "Here we go." She cautiously opens the large iron door. Slowly, the girls walk inside. Glinda searches for Elphaba's hand and squeezes it gently. The door slams shut without warning. Galinda lets out a small scream in shock. If Elphaba had been paying attention, she would've noticed the scream came a bit late, not quite spontaneous. But Glinda still knows she has to play the part of Galinda.
"Who enters here?" asks a deep, booming voice. "Who dares to step into the room of the great and terrible wizard of Oz?" The lights grow brighter and dimmer as the head speaks. The fire illuminates almost the entire room.
Galinda feels her heart pounding in her throat. She feels Elphaba's hand gripping tightly with tension. As her eyes adjust to the dark room, she sees a gigantic head moving back and forth. Thanks to her training, she knows how to see beyond what she's seeing. She sees curtains, smoke, and light effects that make the head appear even more terrifying.
"I'm Elphaba, and I was invited," Elphaba says, her voice trembling. She's terrified and deeply impressed by all the magical effects the Wizard is displaying. She only sees a gigantic head in front of her. She doesn't know if that's the Wizard, but she knows she must say something.
"Elphaba, you say?"
"Yes, Your Ozness. I-I received a letter from you." With trembling hands, she fumbles through her bag, but she can't find it in her fear.
"Yes, I know. I know everything," says the head sternly.
Huge flames burst out. Elphaba takes a step back in fright. Galinda walks over to her and squeezes her hand.
"He's gigantic," Elphaba whispers. "I didn't expect this. He's wonderfully scary."
Glinda suppresses a smile. "What did you expect?" As soon as she sees that Elphaba isn't paying attention to her, she glances around the room again. She's looking for an exit or something that seems like a trap. Despite her parents saying she no longer needs to protect Elphaba—because it's a futile effort—she still feels the urgency to be prepared. Something doesn't feel right. Why would Oscar send a letter to Elphaba? Why hadn't he kept her informed? Why have so many laws suddenly changed?
Elphaba shrugs. She had always imagined the Wizard as a person, not just a head. She had hoped he would embrace her immediately and take her away to test her. Then he would de-greenfy her. "My great Wizard, I am here not just for myself but also to tell you about the Animals."
Behind the large curtain, Oscar is frozen. He knows what's been happening to the Animals in the past weeks. Behind his back, Madame Morrible had captured a few Animals and thrown them in jail. He hates it. He knows he's never really done anything for the Animals. He knows he's banished them from the great cities, but that was to test his own powers. He wanted to see how far the Ozians would follow him. To his own shock, it was quite far. He's sworn never to abuse his powers again. But now more is at stake.
He also spent hours talking with Madame Morrible about inviting Elphaba. He hadn't expected Glinda to come along. He doesn't know what Madame Morrible is planning; he's just sticking to their plan, even though he knows, deep down, he's putting Glinda's life in danger. He knows Elphaba would recognize him. He must stay safely behind the curtain.
"I know everything," Oscar says through his loudspeaker.
Elphaba unintentionally takes a step back. "But how?" she asks, bewildered. Oz, she must not be afraid. It's the Wizard of Oz—act with dignity, Elphaba sternly tells herself.
"I am the great Wizard of Oz. I know everything. This is about you. What can you do for Oz?"
"I, um, I hope to prove myself." She looks desperately at Galinda, hoping she can think of something. But Galinda is still busy inspecting the room.
So far, there seems to be no danger for Elphaba, Glinda thinks approvingly. She tries to focus on the conversation again. If this weren't so important to Elphaba, she would have made some jokes about Elphaba's entire demeanor. She knows she must support her friend now.
"How do you plan to prove yourself?"
That's a good question, Elphaba thinks, feeling desperate. "I, um, I..." She seeks eye contact with Galinda.
Glinda nods. She's about to suggest something when the doors suddenly swing open. All her muscles tense immediately.
"no need to worry dearie. I know a way." Madame Morrible enters, carrying a thick book under her arm.
Glinda feels immediate tension—this isn't good. She needs to convince Elphaba not to go any further. She shoots Oscar a warning glance. She has no idea why he's involving Madame Morrible. Hadn't she warned him about her? What is he doing? She doesn't know what he can see through his big machine, but this isn't right.
"Elphie?" Glinda whispers, "Maybe this isn't a good idea?"
Elphaba looks confused. She actually felt a sense of relief when Madame Morrible showed up. Someone who can guide her a little. She didn't think she would be so nervous about the Wonderful Wizard. She hopes she doesn't disappoint her family and that she still has a chance to stand next to her biggest idol. "Why? This is my chance."
Glinda bites her lip, trying to think of a way to convince Elphaba to leave, but nothing comes to mind.
In the meantime, Elphaba is already fully focused on Madame Morrible.
Glinda gently tugs on Elphaba's arm. The truth will have to be enough. "I don't trust her. You know that. Madame Morrible has other plans. Think about Parent's Day or those punishments."
Elphaba hesitates for a moment. Whom should she believe—her best friend or her own excitement? "The Wizard is here. What could go wrong?"
"Too much," Glinda whispers.
But Elphaba no longer hears her, as Madame Morrible has already started speaking.
"Oh, Miss Elphaba, it's so good to see you again. If you listen closely to the Wizard, he can do so much for you, like giving you a new job."
Elphaba is thrilled. Maybe she'll even get to work. Her dreams are coming true. She can make a difference in Oz. All she needs to do is prove herself. "But what should I do?"
Oscar sees the irony in the situation. He had told the Uplands that Elphaba could become evil, but he never thought she would be given that choice. He knows what Madame Morrible could do if Elphaba doesn't cooperate, so he has to make sure she follows Morrible's lead. He knows he has to wait for Madame Morrible to give her a signal. But Oz, how he wishes he could stop this right now. He wants so badly to protect his daughter, but he has allowed the wicked witch into her life. He is the most powerful man in all of Oz, but he feels so powerless. He sees Madame Morrible giving him a signal. With a sigh, he continues with the plan. "You have to show us what you can do. I want to see your skills. That's how you prove yourself."
Elphaba jumps in surprise. She hadn't expected the Wizard to speak. Glinda tries to guide Elphaba closer to the exit so they can leave quickly. She knows she can't knock Elphie out. Oz, she knows things could go wrong. Why didn't she listen to her parents and go home? No more problems.
"Of course, Your Ozness. What would you like me to do?"
Madame Morrible shows the book. "Do you recognize this?"
"The Grimmerie." Elphaba breaks free from Galinda's grip and walks over to Madame Morrible. Glinda sighs, why can't she just walk away, she thinks in frustration.
Madame Morrible nods. "Indeed, dear." She's already forming other plans. She wants Galinda out of the picture. She takes the book back and flips to the correct page. "We want you to read a simple spell, but don't worry if it doesn't work right away. It took me a long time to master a few spells myself." She knows very well that Elphaba can recite the spell.
Glinda doesn't trust it. She peers over Elphaba's shoulder. She sees strange symbols, but a few words stand out, like flying.
"What a strange and funny text," Elphaba whispers. She starts reading a few words.
"Oh dear, not that spell," Madame Morrible interrupts her. "The one next to it, that's the one you should read."
Elphaba looks confused. "It's very simple spell. I want you to show the Wizard what you can do."
Madame Morrible shrugs. "That's the spell the Wonderful Wizard wishes to be spoken."
Elphaba glances questioningly at the floating head. The longer she looks at it, the less frightening it seems. It's just the voice. But Elphaba shows no fear.
"Yes, uh, we want to keep it simple for you."
Madame Morrible nods approvingly, enjoying making things a little more difficult for Oscar.
Glinda clenches her fists and moves away from Elphaba. She doesn't trust the way Madame Morrible is looking. Glinda thinks Madame Morrible is signaling too much to the big head. She quickly searches the room for something they can use. Maybe they can get away quickly, but the doors are locked. She doubts Elphaba will leave easily. Should she create a diversion? Should she leave her best friend alone and come back later with a better plan or stay in the situation for now? Glinda keeps all her senses alert.
Galinda can't see what type of spell it is. "Maybe you shouldn't do it, Elphie. If you think you can handle more, you should pick the difficult spell." Glinda tries a different tactic to stop Elphaba from doing what Madame Morrible says.
"Who are you to speak against the Wonderful Wizard?" Madame Morrible says threateningly, taking a step toward Glinda.
Unfazed, Glinda stands her ground to support Elphaba. "I'm just saying you shouldn't underestimate her, Madame." Galinda almost feels insulted that Madame Morrible can act like that towards her. How dare that old fishwife make a move, Galinda thinks bitterly. She feels frustrated that she doesn't know what's going on and that the only one she doesn't trust does.
Madame Morrible is irritated that Glinda doesn't seem afraid. Normally, all the students tremble before her, and she had expected Glinda to be intimidated by the Wizard's display. It's frustrating that Glinda isn't behaving as expected.
"Cast the spell on Galinda," Madame Morrible says with a mischievous grin.
"What? No!" all three of them say in unison.
"I won't cast a spell on anyone! What if I get it wrong?" Elphaba shouts, almost in a panic.
"Don't you trust the Wonderful Wizard? He would never let anything unsafe happen. Besides, this is your big chance. And it seems our Galinda has great faith in you. So if you can handle that difficult spell, you can certainly manage this simple one." Madame Morrible says challengingly. Of course Galinda has to support her friend and Oscar can do very little.
Big chance or not, Galinda thinks with dread, I won't do it. I don't trust that snake one bit. "I thought you said in class that you should never cast a spell on someone without their consent?"
"The Wizard is here. If something goes wrong, he can fix it. Are you backing out now? Don't you trust your best friend?"
Glinda narrows her eyes. "I trust my best friend in everything she does." I just don't trust you, she thinks quietly. But what does it matter? You're leaving soon anyway, after this journey. Why are you being nice? Thoughts whirl through Glinda's mind. "I only don't trust *you,*" she hisses. Immediately, a wave of different emotions floods through her—relief, fear, but also pride.
A silence falls in the room as everyone considers their options.
Madame Morrible grows impatient. She snatches the book from Elphaba's hands. "If you won't do it, I will. How dare that spoiled little girl talk to me like that. The truth will come out."
"No!" Elphaba shouts, trying to grab the book back, but Madame Morrible uses a glance to throw her against the wall. "Watch and learn, dear."
Galinda rushes to Elphaba to help her, but Elphaba cries, "Run, Galinda, save yourself!" Elphaba struggles against the invisible forces pinning her to the wall. Madame Morrible has to concentrate hard to keep Elphaba restrained.
Galinda's heart races. This is bad. She turns to run, but Madame Morrible has already summoned the guards. She finds herself facing three large men. Galinda adopts a defensive stance. "Who's first?"
Elphaba watches in astonishment as Galinda knocks one of the guards unconscious. "How?" she asks aloud. Elphaba stops resisting, reducing the strain on Madame Morrible's concentration. Her powers aren't strong enough to control two things at once. She scans the page quickly, taking in the situation. Glinda has only one guard left, who poses no threat. Another guard stands by the large mechanical head, thinking he's protecting the Wizard from Galinda. But both Oscar and Madame Morrible know he's there to prevent Oscar from intervening. Another guard stands by Elphaba to stop her from doing anything rash, giving Madame Morrible free reign. She grins.
Panic surges through Glinda, who is doing everything she can to protect herself, leaving the consequences for later.
Elphaba is overwhelmed with disbelief. There has to be a logical explanation for this, she tells herself.
Madame Morrible recites the spell quickly, not expecting Glinda to deal with the men so efficiently. The plan is going well, she thinks with satisfaction. With a flick of her finger, Madame Morrible lifts Glinda into the air just as she finishes taking out the last guard.
"What in Oz," she exclaims in surprise. Still filled with adrenaline from the fight, Glinda struggles to free herself, but it's not easy. She's thrown against the wall. Before she can stand, an invisible force pins her down.
"Okay, dear, tell me all your secrets."
"What are you talking about?" Glinda immediately feels a sharp pain shoot through her body, like the worst cramp imaginable.
"You see, a spell from the Grimmerie is naturally painful and hard to escape."
The guard restrains Elphaba, who tries to run toward Madame Morrible. "By order of the Wonderful Wizard, I must hold you back." Elphaba looks furious.
"What are you doing? Let her go. What is happening here?" she shouts, unsure if it's directed at Madame Morrible or the Wizard. But it's no longer fun. This wasn't what she had envisioned. And since when could Galinda fight so well? Everyone ignores her. All she can do is watch helplessly. Oz, what has she gotten herself into?
Oscar feels guilty. This is his fault. Maybe he should step out from behind his machine and help the girls. Why is he so afraid? He looks for another way out. He regrets letting Madame Morrible hire new guards. Oz, why was he so stupid? He steps out from behind the machine. He hears everyone still shouting, but he can't bear to watch. He walks slowly backward. Suddenly, he feels a hand on his shoulder and one over his mouth. Everything goes dark.
"Speak the truth," Madame Morrible hisses, seeming to enjoy her growing power.
Galinda struggles to think of a plan. She remembers a lesson from her father that sometimes the truth is the best option, even though they were never meant to reveal the truth. But everything she's worked for will be lost. She'll never return to the fields because she'll be exposed. Her friendship with Elphaba and all the others will be destroyed. Her chance for a normal life on Shiz, will not happen. She wants to stay on Shoz and not start over somewhere else. She had the choice between Shiz or the job with her parents, nowhere in her plans was another university or fighting Morrible. Everything is going wrong because of that miserable fish-wife snake Morrible, Galinda thinks bitterly.
"Come on, speak," Madame Morrible moves her finger and slams Galinda into the wall again. From the corner of her eye, Galinda sees Elphaba make a movement. "Pay close attention, Miss Elphaba. This is how you learn not to trust your friends."
"I'll make it easier for you because this is taking too long," Madame Morrible says, relishing her victory. "Are you a spy?"
Elphaba's mouth falls open. For a brief moment, she locks eyes with Galinda. She knows that Madame Morrible is telling the truth. She can see it in her eyes. Her heart breaks, her world collapses. She thought she could finally trust someone. She had set aside her instincts. She ignored her own feelings because Galinda convinced her, and it was all a lie? How?
"Yes," Galinda says quietly, no longer able to endure the pain. She knows when she's lost, and this is one of those moments.
"Louder," Madame Morrible says, moving her finger again. This is so much better than I imagined, she thinks with satisfaction. I just need to expose Oscar, and Elphaba will only trust me. The Wizard will be easily dethroned. I'll take the throne, and Elphaba will remain my loyal servant. The secret organization will offer themselves to me. I'll make history. She slams Glinda against the wall with her magic again. She has to hurry; her magic is weakening.
The pain on top of the enchantment is almost unbearable for Galinda. In her mind she is cursing Madame Morrible to keep her mind off the pain. Her muscles are on fire. She feels her muscles tensing up. Oz, she hopes the spell wears off soon because she feels the urgency to answer the question with the truth.
"Yes, I'm a spy." An overwhelming sense of relief is short-lived as Madame Morrible asks another question. Glinda tries again to buy time to escape, but what's the point?
"Did you lie to Miss Elphaba?"
"Yes, I had to protect her."
Madame Morrible starts laughing. "From yourself, yes. How could you betray miss Elphaba like this? You were supposed to be a friend. Friends tell only the truth. You don't deserve the name 'friend.' I suspect that was a lie too. You befriended Elphaba under false pretenses, a friendship built on lies."
"No, Elphaba, it's not like that. Maybe at the beginning, but not in the end. You have to believe me. Our friendship means everything to me. Please, believe me. Elphie? Elphaba? Elphaba! Please, listen to me," Glinda cries, heartbroken. It can't end like this, she thinks desperately. Why won't Elphaba listen to her? Oz, how could this happen?
Elphaba struggles to find words. So, all along, she was right. Galinda lied. Madame Morrible was right. What is their friendship based on if it was all a lie? People try to talk to her, but she can't process the information. The next moment, she feels herself being taken to another room. She doesn't know by whom, but she doesn't care anymore. She has to go. She has to distance herself from Galinda. She has to think. There has to be a logical explanation for this situation. Why is this happening to me? she thinks desperately. Elphaba is numb to all feelings. She hears Galinda screaming her name, but she doesn't want to hear it.
Madame Morrible grins at the girls. Her plan has gone differently than she had expected, but the result is the same. Now it is time for the next step, but first enjoy the moment. She allows herself that. She knows she has to be careful. Elphaba is very fragile now and every misstep could lead to the failure of her plan. She is so close now, she cannot and must not let anything go wrong.
"I'll get you, Morrible," Galinda cries. "You won't get away with this. I will get you. Elphaba will find out everything."
Madame Morrible steps closer. "But my dear Galinda, I already have won." She says with a wicked grin. "And what will Elphaba find out? I have no secrets from her. Guards, take her away."
"She'll know not to trust you. You're an ugly, wicked witch and no one will trust you. I don't know how you got the Wizard on your side, but that's going to change too." Glinda says threatening.
"My dear Galinda, It's time for you to face reality. You can't go anywhere. You're my prisoner now and I'm not going to make it easy for you. So I'll be careful with everything you say to me." Madame Morrible slaps Galinda's cheek hard with her open hand. "That's what you get for insulting someone. It's time for you to learn some manners. Guards we don't have to be nice to our prisoners.''
The guards look at each other confused. They don't know what to do with a fragile little student- she seems harmless. But they have seen her take down three of their friends. They grab her and push her arm a little higher on her back.
Glinda hisses, she can feel Madame Morrible's handprint burning into her cheek, but she shows no sign of pain. She doesn't resist when the men tie her hands behind her back. She knows when she's defeated and now, unfortunately, there's such a moment. She feels powerless and will have to come up with a new plan. Fortunately, she knows her parents are expecting her soon, when they know that something is wrong, with their daughter, they will come and free her. In the meantime, she must come up with a plan of her own. She must come up with something to earn Elphaba's forgiveness. She will never forget the look in Elphaba's eyes. She must know what happened to Oscar. How far should she go? Should she free Oz? But she does want one thing. To wipe that dirty grin off Madame Morrible's face. She will get back at Madame Morrible and build her friendship with Elphaba. She is sure of it. Even though her future now seems hopeless. She is escorted out of the throne room by the guards.
Madame Morrible looks on with satisfaction.
''Well Oscar, what did you think?'' Madame Morrible asks with satisfaction and has the urge to discuss her victory.
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