A/N Sorry for the delay. Wicked was really fantastic. It was worth the trip. I used a few lines that are in the musical, I wonder if you can find them.
XXX
Elphaba hears a familiar voice. She looks up and sees Nessa glaring at her. "What in Oz is going on here?"
"Nessa?" Elphaba asks, too shocked and exhausted to say anything else.
"Elphaba, what happened? I demand an explanation!"
Glinda sighs. Yes, this is the Nessa she remembers from the beginning of the school year. "Nessa, calm down. We'll explain everything, but we need to leave quickly. There are men after us, and they don't have good intentions. For our safety, we must leave first." Glinda offers Elphaba a hand to help her up. Elphaba struggles to her feet, leaning against the wall.
Nessa looks suspiciously at her sister and friend. "Men are after you?"
Glinda nods. Elphaba is too tired to speak. "I'll give you a quick summary, but..."
They are interrupted by noises in the hallway. Elphaba gasps. Glinda looks around frantically, searching for an escape. The door handle jiggles, and there's a loud banging on the door. Glinda pulls Elphaba off the ground and heads toward the sliding door. She tries to open the window, but it's locked. Glinda groans in frustration. Nessa, still suspicious, asks, "Who's there?" through the closed door.
"We're looking for two girls. Have you seen them?" a harsh voice replies, while the banging on the door continues.
"No," Nessa says. Even though she doesn't completely trust her sister yet, she trusts those men much less.
Glinda's heart leaps with relief. Elphaba gives her sister a faint smile.
"May we check for ourselves?" comes the voice again, friendly in phrasing but menacing in tone.
Nessa looks at the ground and points to the other door. Glinda nods and takes Elphaba with her. Glinda is almost jealous that Nessa has a walk-in closet, but now is not the time to think about that. Nessa opens the door, letting Boris inside. She quickly wheels herself back to avoid getting hit by the door.
"How rude. As you can see, I'm alone, just like the last few times you came to check. When is my father coming back?"
Elphaba's eyes widen. Glinda covers Elphaba's mouth to keep her from making a sound.
"Your father is arranging your departure," Boris replies curtly as he inspects the room and approaches the wardrobe.
"You're lying. I'm not leaving without Boq, and my father knows that," Nessa responds haughtily.
Boris rolls his eyes. He has no patience for the arrogant daughter and is furious that the two girls have escaped. Once he catches them, he'll separate them, and they'll never fool him again. He turns toward Nessa, attempting to intimidate her. "If it were up to me, you'd be gone by now. What your father sees in you is beyond me. Why was your door locked?"
Tears well up in Nessa's eyes. "To keep brutes like you out."
Boris laughs. "Well, that didn't work, did it? Lock your door all you want, but listen to your father when he says you need to go. You're no longer important." He hastily leaves, shouting orders to his men for more information about the girls.
Glinda peeks out of the closet and sees Nessa crying in the middle of the room. She quickly locks the door and Elphaba comforts her sister. "It's okay, Nessa, we're getting you out of here. Everything will be fine."
Elphaba and Glinda both want to ask her questions, but there's no time. Glinda bites her lip, wanting to take Nessa with them, but she isn't sure if her bubble spell will hold. Plus, she still has to figure out how to open the window.
Elphaba releases Nessa and takes a good look at her sister. She looks tired, but also stronger than Elphaba remembers. "Come on, let's leave this horrible place," she says gently.
"I can't leave without Boq. He's waiting for me somewhere in the Emerald City. Everyone is looking for him," Nessa replies.
Elphaba is confused. "Boq? But he…" She glances at Glinda, the last memory of Boq being with her. He must have gone with Glinda. "But Boq is with you, isn't he?" she asks, looking at Glinda.
Glinda hadn't been following the conversation and turns around. "What?"
"Boq. I last saw him with you in the dungeons."
"What? Boq is in the dungeons? We have to get him out. Oh, poor Boq. I knew he was coming for me, but why is he in the dungeons?" Nessa babbles in excitement, disbelief, and curiosity.
Glinda sighs. "Nessa, he's out. He escaped with me. He really wants to free you, but as you can see, it hasn't been easy. We were lucky to find you. Now, we need to get out of here. We have multiple problems, so we each had to take on different tasks." Glinda isn't telling the whole truth, but she needs everyone's cooperation to escape the palace.
Nessa gasps. "But what's going on?" she asks like a frightened child. "I want to know everything," she demands in her usual commanding tone.
Glinda sighs. "Shall we get out of here first?" She looks pointedly at the sisters. They can still hear the men shouting in the hallway, so they keep their voices low.
Nessa nods. "The key to the sliding door is hanging next to it."
Glinda slaps her forehead. "Oz, how blind am I?" she mutters.
She unlocks the door and steps out onto the small balcony, scanning the area. Below, she sees people running around. She's not sure what's happening, but suspects it's due to their escape.
"How do you plan to get out?" Elphaba asks cautiously.
"I can make a bubble. I'll send you both to the edge of the city, near the forest. From there, you should head to the villages—they're on our side. Tell them you know Glinda the Good."
Elphaba raises an eyebrow. "Glinda the Good?"
Glinda blushes. "It was the Wizard's idea," she explains.
Elphaba clenches her jaw and says nothing.
Nessa looks at the two girls. She feels that the whole truth is not being told. She becomes angry again by the thoughts that her sister has betrayed her like this. "Yes, Elphaba, why didn't you ever tell me the Wizard is your father?" Nessa asks threateningly.
Elphaba looks shocked. "How?"
"At least father tells me the truth. How could you? How could you hide something like that from me? I'm your sister. And the Wizard? Do you realize what impact that has on our family's name, on father?"
Elphaba's heart breaks, but before she can respond, Glinda bursts out laughing.
"What?" Nessa snaps angrily.
"Shh, not so loud. Nessa, I want to say so much right now, but for the umpteenth time, we have to go. So save your lecture for later." Glinda wants to say more but knows she must stay focused. She knows Elphaba won't leave without Nessa, and Nessa won't leave if they start criticizing her father now. Oz, it's hard being the responsible one, Glinda thinks in frustration.
Nessa glares at them. ''I'm staying here. Father knows what he's doing, he won't lie to me.''
Elphaba looks hopelessly at Nessa and then at Glinda. Oz she doesn't know what to do, but she doesn't want to leave her sister behind. ''Nessie, it's not as simple as it seems. I only knew a few days ago.'' Oz a few days ago this hell started, she can't believe it, it feels like it's been going on for months. ''I heard about it through Madame Morrible. Before I knew it, I was being held against my will. I didn't know where you were.'' A few flashbacks of the events flash through Elphaba's mind. The fears and other conflicting feelings rush through her body again. The distrust towards her friends grows, but she also knows that this is not the time. The images of Boris keep appearing before her eyes. She wants that man gone and despite the fact that she has forgiven Glinda for everything, it is easier said than done. Tears start rolling down her cheeks. Elphaba never wants to cry and certainly not for her sister. She always had to be the strongest, but now, she can't anymore.
Nessa hears her sister, sobbing. She feels her heart breaking. She has never seen her sister cry. She has never realized the burden Elphaba has always had to carry.
Glinda bites her lip. She knows that she is a big part of all of Elphaba's problems.
Nessa rolls over to Elphaba carefully and takes her hand. "You didn't know?" she asks carefully.
Elphaba shakes her head. "I wanted to tell you myself. I didn't know where you were. I didn't even know Father was here. Why would he do that?" Elphaba knows it's a pointless question, she knows her father never cared about her. Not like he cares about Nessa, but she has to get Nessa to come with her. She doesn't want to be alone.
"I don't know, I got told by Father and I was so angry at you. I felt betrayed."
"I'm sorry Nessie," Elphaba says as she kneels down and hugs her little sister.
Glinda tries to keep her comments to herself. "I'm sorry too, but we really have to go. Those men will soon be making their second rounds to check everything.''
Elphaba nods. ''Please come with us Nessa. We know your father doesn't want to betray you, but father also wants to keep you safe. He always left you with me, you are safe with me.''
Nessa thinks for a moment. She wants to leave the palace, even though her father is there; she hates the place.
Glinda smiles. She thinks it's a good idea of Elphaba to say that their father has always put Nessa's well-being in Elphaba's hands. She hopes it's enough to convince Nessa. She wants to leave as soon as possible, if necessary she'll go without Nessa, but she also knows that Elphaba would never go.
"I need you," Elphaba whispers.
Nessa's eyes widen. "You'll take me to Boq?" Nessa asks suspiciously.
Glinda nods, though she has no idea where Boq is. He was supposed to make arrangements for his family's safety, but Glinda doesn't know where or how.
Nessa looks at the door again and nods. "Use your bubble spell."
"And what about you?" Elphaba asks softly.
"I'll be fine, once you're safe..."
"How do you know that?" Elphaba interrupts Glinda.
"Elphie, there's no time for this."
Elphaba shakes her head. They're finally back together, and she's not leaving without Glinda. "Say the spell, let's see if we all fit."
Glinda hesitates, then nods. They all gather together. Glinda begins to chant the spell. The bubble appears, but it doesn't rise. Within moments, it pops. Nessa lets out a startled cry.
Elphaba gives Glinda a knowing look.
Glinda sighs in frustration. "Then you try it."
"Okay," Elphaba says casually, starting the incantation.
Glinda is flabbergasted. This isn't the bubble spell, but it sounds familiar. It takes a clock tick to remember why those words sound so familiar to her. Her eyes widen. "No, Elphie, stop! It's not worth it. Stop. Oz knows what will happen!" She pulls at Elphaba's arm, but Elphaba pushes her away and continues. ''STOP!'' Shout Glinda, who doesn't care for a moment whether the men can hear her.
Elphaba stops and looks around expectantly.
"Well?" Nessa asks impatiently, unaware of the commotion.
"Yeah, Well, Where are your wings? Maybe you're not so powerful you think you are," Glinda says in relief. But then, she notices a broom flying toward them. "Sweet Oz," Glinda whispers breathlessly.
Elphaba grins, though she feels even dizzier than before. But her joy is overwhelming. "See Glinda, I told you."
"Elphaba, did you—?" Nessa begins, confused.
"Yes she did," Glinda interjects. She sighs in relief, secretly proud of Elphaba's magic.
"Come with me" Elphaba asks, climbing onto the broom. She looks at Glinda.
''Elphie?'' Glinda asks uncertainly. Still in the wow sensation of Elphaba's powers.
''Come with me.'' Elphaba repeats. ''Think of all we can do. Together. Unlimited.''
Glinda feels herself getting more nervous. She doesn't know what's going on in Elphaba's head. Maybe this spell was too much. She was so exhausted just a few minutes ago. But Glinda sees the determined eyes of her best friend. She puts on a small smile. ''Together.'' she whispers. She reaches out her hand to Elphaba.
Nessa gasps. "But I can't fly."
Elphaba turns her head. Glinda feels Elphaba's hand move away. Elphaba chuckles. "Oh, don't worry about that. I'll take care of it." She waves her hand, and Nessa is lifted onto the broom next to her.
Glinda wants to voice her doubts, but she keeps her mouth shut for a moment. She wants to see what Nessa is going to do and how on earth Elphaba envisions getting three women on the broom. She takes a step back.
Nessa grabs her sister's arm, terrified. Elphaba holds her securely as they rise higher. Glinda watches them go, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She smiles wistfully.
Nessa squeaks in fear. ''Put me down. Elphaba Thropp will put me down right now.
Glinda smiles. ''Would you rather you stop in the bubble?'' Glinda asks lovingly.
Nessa nods. She feels relieved as she sits back in her chair.
''Sorry Nessa, I was a little too enthusiastic.'' Elphaba says apologetically.
Nessa glares at her sister. Before it can become an argument, Glinda casts her bubble spell around Nessa. She climbs onto the back of Elphaba's broom. ''Come on, get out of here.''
Glinda feels her feet lift off the ground. She holds Elphaba tightly. The wind coming through the window blows her hair back. Oz, how liberating this feels, Glinda thinks. She looks back at the room again. She hopes they have a little more time and that the men won't go looking for her right away. "Be safe, Elphie," she whispers before her bubble forms, lifting Nessa into the air to follow them.
XX
Milla watches as Glinda is taken away. "What do you think?" she whispers.
Tibet and Crope exchange glances. "Well, we'd rather not deal with Boris, so once we're out of here, he can't do anything to us."
Milla bites her lip. "Fine, but let's hurry."
Crope and Tibet nod. Crope tries to break open the doors with the tools, but it's not easy. On his fifth attempt, he finally gets the door open. Milla stands in the hallway, keeping watch to see if anyone is coming. Crope and Tibet work together to open the cells. Every time Milla hears a creaking door, she hopes the guards won't come. She prays that luck is finally on their side.
What feels like an eternity lasts only an hour. With more practice, Crope gets better at unlocking the doors. It's tricky to guide everyone through the dark tunnels without alerting the guards. With each loud noise, the entire group—about fifty people and Animals—freezes in place, listening for any sound that might indicate the guards have discovered their escape attempt.
Milla feels the path incline upward and remembers Glinda's instructions, saying they need to go up because they will escape through a tree. She reaches a wooden wall. Pressing her full weight against it, she finally sees the light. Her eyes squeeze shut as they adjust. She takes a few steps forward, allowing the others to follow out of the dark tunnel. She hears a cheerful voice, but can't yet see clearly. After a few moments, her eyes adjust to the light. She sees a boy with short, light brown hair, an older woman who looks a lot like Glinda, and two older men.
"Were you sent by Glinda?" the boy asks cautiously.
Before Milla can answer, the alarm goes off. Everyone looks at the palace in shock.
"Oh Oz, we need to hurry," the boy says.
XX
Boq rode back to the Emerald City with a sense of relief. He had been traveling for half a day when he spotted a familiar horse. Cautiously, he crept toward the clearing in the forest and, to his great relief, saw his parents, younger brothers, and sister. Overjoyed, he ran toward them. In an instant, his father put down his stick and embraced his eldest son. After a short but happy reunion, Boq explained what had happened and why he wanted to return to Munchkinland.
"Oh, my son, what terrible choices we've made," said Mr. Underhill sadly. No good deed goes unpunished, Mr Underhill thinks gloomily. He really thought he was doing the right thing, for his son and his family. But his eldest son's story makes him realise he made a mistake. Maybe he should have listened to his wife.
Mrs. Underhill gave her son a big hug. "You did your best. Now we're going to find another place. First we wanted to find you again."
Boq breathed a sigh of relief and looked irritated at his brother Deq, who chuckled as his mother kissed him on the cheek. "Stop it, Beq," Boq said irritatedly as he tried to hit his brother.
"Why do you have to be immersed in love? This is all your fault, that we lost everything," Beq said irritatedly.
Boq looked surprised as his brother walked away. "What was he talking about? How did you manage to leave the house in time?"
Mr. Underhill sighed. He knew his family had suffered a lot, and from his experiences he knew that even more was in store for them. "We got warnings from friends and we started seeing more strange figures around our house. We were already prepared for this. We're going to a safe haven near the Emerald City. It's a place they won't think to look."
Boq narrows his eyes. "What aren't you telling me?" he asks suspiciously.
Mrs Underhill sighs. "He'll find out anyway through his sibilings."
Boq looks at his parents questioningly. His younger sister and other brother look around boredly.
Mr Underhill sighs. "We didn't have time to pack all our stuff. We were kind of late."
Boq stares at his family with his eyes full of fear. "Does that mean all our stuff?"
Mrs Underhill nods and takes her daughter in her arms, who is crying softly.
"No wonder Deq is so angry," Boq whispers in disbelief. He feels guilty for his brother. He knows how proud he was of all his achievements that were often expressed in cups or papers. He feels anger rising for the Governor. He never thought he would do it. Boq clenches his fists.
Calm down Boy,'' says Mr Underhill. ''It's not your fault, if I had forced you less.''
Boq shakes his head. ''It's the fault of the Governor and his buddies, they gave the order.''
Mr Underhill looks at his son with a surprised look. He thinks his son seems a little more confident. He can't hide his pride.
''I suggest we take revenge. My friends are around here. Together we can make a plan.'' says Boq seriously.
Mr and Mrs Underhill looked at each other. ''Family comes first,'' they said softly.
Boq looks at his mother with wide eyes. ''You're kidding. After all he's done.''
Mrs Underhill shakes her head. She's been insecure about her husband for years. She's begged him to leave that world. She doesn't want to go back in, especially not with her family.
"Look at that!" Deq suddenly shouted.
Everyone looked in the direction Deq was pointing.
"Is it a bird?"
"Is it a flying stick?"
"No, it looks like Elphaba, Glinda and Nessa," Boq said softly.
XXX
Madame Morrible searches furiously through her things. Where is her book? She needs it. She got an idea while sleeping, which will help them get the people of Oz on their side. In the hallway she hears several people screaming. She opens her door and sees the guards running.
"What's going on?" Madame Morrible advises.
"The witches are gone," a guard shouts, who immediately runs away.
"The monkeys have gone wild."
Madame Morrible looks confused. What in Oz are they talking about, she thinks confused. She had the Monkeys in her possession herself to experiment on how quickly she could silence them. She had Oscar believe it was for something else. That man believed everything, he was so distracted by something. Now Madame Morrible understands that it was because of Elphaba, but back then it all worked out well, that they could do much more with her organization. She quickly leaves her room to find someone who can give her more information. She walks to the courtyard. A guard comes to her. ''They have escaped.''
''WHO?'' Madame Morrible shouts angrily.
''The prisoners, they are all gone. No one understands how it is possible, it is the work of the Witch.''
Madame Morrible's eyes widen. ''Elphaba'' she whispers. She quickly shakes her head. ''Ring the bell, FAST.'' she shouts. ''Don't let them escape. Or give them too big a head start.''
The guard nods ''Yes, ma'am.''
Madame Morrible runs to Elphaba's room. She sees that it is empty. Her heart is pounding in her throat. This is not good. What should she do. What can she do, to save herself?
She quickly walks to the throne room. She hears a lot of noise from the Monkeys who are screaming. She hears Boris screaming and some more voices.
''She is gone.'' Madame Morrible enters. ''And the prisoners too.''
Boris looks at her angrily. ''Gosh, we didn't know that yet.''
Madame Morrible takes a step back. ''What happened?''
''We had them under control. Everything went according to plan, but they escaped. They had help from someone.'' Boris shouts. He can't believe that someone could outsmart him, especially not a small unknown student who doesn't know anything about anything.
Madame Morrible swallows. She looks questioningly at Horus, who shakes his head.
Madame Morrible lets Boris go wild. She starts putting the puzzle pieces together. Glinda and Elphaba have both escaped. She wants to know why they didn't get her. She could handle Glinda much better than he could, but she keeps that to herself for now, she shouldn't be treading on thin ice.
''Who set that Oz-damm alarm?'' he asks angrily.
''The prisoners have escaped. All the guards are searching now.'' Madame Morrible says quickly.
'How is it possible, that so many people escape here. We are in the palace, we have Oz knows how many guards here? Has no one trained them? Why did we wait so long to attack, if everything in and out here is so easy?''
''Oz never had a reason to have a defense, the first line was enough and everyone believes in the Wizard.'' Madame Morrible says softly.
Boris looks at her angrily. ''It is time that things change here. I want my guards to be trained like in the organization. Everyone has to obey me and I will make that clear to them.'' Boris says. He wants to walk away, but is stopped by Frex, who opens the door in anger.
''Where is she?'' he asks angrily with fire in his eyes. Frex pushes Boris back.
''What are you talking about?'' he asks while he pushes Frex back. Oz how old are we?, he thinks irritated.
''Where is Nessa? I can't find her anywhere.''
Boris has no time for that. ''I last saw her in her room.'' He wants to walk past Frex again, but he stops him.
''What did you say to her?''
Boris pushes the hand away again. ''I didn't say or do anything. I checked to see if Glinda and Elphaba were in her room, but they weren't.''
Frex bites his lip. ''I don't trust it. Nessa would never have just leave.''
Boris holds back his anger, he needs more allies now than ever.
''Do you think she went with Elphaba?'' Horus asks
Frex shrugs his shoulders in defeat. ''I don't know. I've searched and asked everywhere, but no one has seen my girl.''
''Elphaba will never leave without Nessa, if she knew Nessa was here. She's too loyal to her sister.'' Madame Morrible says thoughtfully.
Boris gives her a withering look.
''Maybe we can use her.'' Madame Morrible says doubtfully.
Frex looks angrily at Madame Morrible but says nothing. Boris looks at her questioningly. That gives Madame Morrrible the courage to continue.
''The guards already call Glinda and Elphaba witches. We can use Elphaba's appearance against her. We say she kidnapped the Governor's daughter. Some people are smart, too smart for their own good, so they'll need proof, that's where you come in Frex.
Frex rubs his chin. ''I don't know.''
''Everyone will be looking for your girl.'' Horus says, understanding Madame Morrible's idea and not wanting to go looking himself.
''What's in it for us? The organization? Maybe we should leave here and go back underground.'' Frex says after a short silence.
''No, I won't let those girls beat me.'' Boris says angrily.
''We already have a lot of support.'' Horus says. ''The people are gathering in the square, because they want to know what's going on. They hear rumors from us, about a green witch. We can play it to our advantage.''
''What are our opponent's moves?'' Frex asks, who is still not reassured.
''They have Glinda, the Wizard, Boq, Fiyero and now Elphaba.'' Madame Morrible says quickly.
Some people believe in Glinda the Good, Horus wants to say, but he keeps his mouth shut. He knows they have to get Frex on their side.
''We have to come up with a plan, Frex. It'll be fine. What can a fake magician and a few students do against the powerful governor of Muchkinland?''
Frex bites his lip. Boris has a point. They have a lot more resources and they can do a lot more. ''They will lick their wounds now.'' Horus says. ''That's what they did in Shiz. They may have won this battle, but with time we can turn the tables.''
Madame Morrible nods.
''They won't have the help of their parents? Frex wonders aloud.
Boris shakes his head. ''We haven't heard anything from the Vinkus yet. You took care of Boq's parents?''
Frex nods. ''That will teach them to treat my daughter like that.''
''You see, we have them backed into a corner. Let them enjoy their useless victory for a while and then it will be our turn.''
Frex nods slowly. He is not entirely reassured. He is worried about his little girl. He should have taken her away earlier, but he can hardly say no to his beautiful daughter. Now he is mostly angry with himself, Boris and Madame Morrible. Maybe he should come up with another plan, in case things go wrong with these men, Frex thinks cautiously.
Boris slaps Frex on the back in a friendly way. ''Come tell me what the progress is from Munchkinland. I want to hear the report from your men. Then I will inform you of my plan. We can portray Elphaba as the Wicked Witch.''
Madame Morrible wants to say that it is her idea, but Horus covers her mouth with his hand and escorts her away. ''Let those men discuss something together for a while.''
Madame Morrible looks at him angrily. ''It is my idea. I deserve the honor.''
Horus smiles. ''You deserve nothing. Go do your tasks and gather the guards, we will start with the interrogation and the training. You should be glad that Boris protects you regularly, otherwise you would have been my maid a long time ago.''
Madame Morrible swallows. That cold look in Horus' eyes gives her the shivers. Although she is used to a lot from Boris. ''We will carry out Boris's plan,'' she says obediently.
Madame Morrible sighs. She must have a plan to get out of here.
XXX