Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*
"Well that's just perfect! Of course! She did it again! I swear, that yuri obsessed bleeding heart of a writer needs to repay me for shit like this one of these days…"
Groaning from having been awoken from a loud and annoyed voice, Elia slowly got up, trying to calm her aching nerves after waking up at what seemed to be a long hard, exhausting, and uncomfortable nap.
What… Happened?
Then it hit her.
The idea of her spell theory. Her talk with Rowand. The heist for the Grimmerie. Horrendible Morrible and her shit talk. Gun shot. Running from the authorities. Jumping off the balcony. Flying Mother's broom. Creating the Time Travel spell. Actually getting it to work! The portal.
Is this it? Is she… back in the past?
Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*
"Hey! Wake up, idiot genius!"
The witch girl slowly opened her eyes, fully conscious as she took in the whole place she was in with full surprise and amazement.
She was… in some bizarre place. Some strange dimension. What Elia stood on was liquid, yet not. The whole place was a contrast between nothing yet something at the same time, unsure of what to describe. Truly remarkable work of magic.
Where was she? Certainly not the past like Elia intended.
Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*Tick, Tock*
"Ah, taking in the sight? Well, hurry it up. I don't have all day… well I do, but that's beside the issue."
Finally, Elia noticed the person making complaints.
It… was a teenager. A random, angsty looking punk teeanger.
They seem to have gray short hair with black hair on the ends and a few black strands on the front. They had bright yellow eyes with clock hands moving from either clockwise or counterclockwise from each eye. The teen wore a black shirt that showed a section of their stomach and had a white detailed picture on the left that was an hour hand, minute hand, and second hand. They had various clocks. One dangling on a neck chain from their neck, the different watches on both their hands(Elia can even see some watches having more clocks than one on one band), and the clocks hanging on the chains connecting from the black belt they wore with another clock on it. They also had various tattoos over their body. Their right arm has "PM" and a black sun looking clock on the arm above. The left arm was the same, except with "AM" and a moon looking clock. They also had tattoos on the neck saying "PPF" and the cheek saying "24/7" while also tattoos of an hourglass and clock gears and hands on the stomach. They also wore leather tight jeans and black sneakers with clocks showing from the heels. Another very noticeable thing was the large scythe they seem to be carrying over their shoulders.
Okay… not really what she expected in a weird place like this but okay.
"Who're you?" Elia asked, getting up to stand and looking at the watch person with curiosity and interest.
The mysterious punk teen put down the scythe and looked at the witch girl with feint disinterest, "Parker Time. Child of time. You might have heard of my father. Father Time? Ring any bells? And to set things clear, I use they/them pronouns. But hey, other pronouns are alright too."
Elia blinked. Huh. That's intriguing to know. Wait…
"Where's Corvyn? Or Gelphine?" The green girl asked, looking around for the crow and her sister.
"They're fine. I only pulled you out because we need to talk." Parker replied.
Elia tilted her head. Her? Why her?
"Why me?
They gave her a weird look. It was a contrast between glaring and incredulousness. "Are you kidding? Do you know how much work you gave me? The amount of everything you did to give me so much work that might as well take centuries to get rid of? The sheer stupid ingenuity that breaks everything that I try to fix?"
Elia was overwhelmed to say the least. Just what wrong did she do? "What?"
Parker gave an annoyed huff, "Let me be clear to whatever craziness is in that head of yours. You found a way to time travel."
What was so wrong with being creative? Sure, it was hard. And honestly, there was a chance that it might backfire drastically. But it worked to say the least.
Didn't it?
Without saying another question, the time being just kept going, "You somehow managed to create a time travel spell. The first ever time travel spell in the grimmerie."
She wasn't getting it. Not one bit. Where was this going?
They stared at her, deadpanned, "You, Elia Upland-Thropp, was the very first witch to time travel in your world. Very FIRST. No one in your timeline, not even your mother, could ever do what you just did."
Elia… didn't expect that. She was… the first. And from what the time being was saying, the first time traveller. Surely some have figured out the mechanics. Time magic can't be that impossible. Heck, there have been spells that contradict death of all things. There have been many theories about time magic. Surely…
…. Holy shit… she was the first to do it.
"Wait, why is that a bad thing?" Elia asked, still trying to wrap her head around the fact she did something unheard of.
She saw it. Something in their eye. It was very minuscule. Elia could have not noticed it if she wasn't so observant. But she did notice. And it set everything clear.
The twitching in Parker's right eye set everything clear. They were pissed.
"Since no one has ever done it, then time in your world was never tempered. Meaning there was no need for a Time guardian to watch over your world." The time being answered, their voice clearly strained from mere frustration, "But now that this happened, I had no choice but to watch over your world's timelines because I somehow happened to be available. One world's shit problems were already enough! But no! Someone had the brilliant idea to be creative with their work!"
"Hey, I'm sorry for the trouble but-"
"Not just you!"
Huh?
"What?" Elia asked, confused with the angry unexpected response.
Noting the confusion, Parker slowly calmed down. But the annoyance in them wasn't going away. They sighed, "Look, it was someone's idea. To do what you did. But all of that shit is confidential. I only brought you here to give you a warning."
Elia perked up. Not from fear. No, she was intrigued. She's been given multiple warnings over the years. Death threats, taxes, maybe worrying stuff about her drinking habits. All those kinds of things.
"A warning?"
With a serious look that can melt an iceberg in one blow, they said, "You have one chance. Just one."
One chance.
Just one chance.
It shouldn't have hit her core like this. It shouldn't. It was unlikely for Elia to be this distraught over words like these when she heard worse. But, if better or worse, it did. Two little words. It sunk her heart inside.
One chance.
One chance to make this work?
One chance or else shit happens?
One chance to make things right?
"One chance to what, exactly?"
Parker didn't seem fazed by her question. If anything, their staring was just making the whole place seem more thicker than steel. Suffocating.
"Just don't fuck this up."
Before Elia can ask what they meant by that ominous response, a single snap took her away in an instant in a fast flash of gray. And the only one who was left in the unusual time dimension was Parker.
They just sighed.
The time being, close to the equivalent of a god, was tired like shit.
Just another point in time. Another point in time that seemed to have gone off the rails. Parker, unfortunately, seemed to have rather gotten used to problems like these. It was rather reassuring, but rather exhausting.
Without thinking much, they took out a red note from their pocket, reading the content of the message again.
Hey, Parker!
I know, you're busy and I'm well aware that you're still mad about what I did last time. But I just wanted to let you know that there is another world that needs a time being to watch over it. Before you come find me (And probably strangle me for this), there is a book under your bed that will explain everything that you need to know! It would mean so much if you could do this. Thank you!
From your dear friend and business partner,
VP! ;)
They just crumpled the paper with disdain and threw it like meaningless trash.
That writer really needs to give them double the payment. The amount of times they have to cover for her actions was already a lot to bargain. So much paperwork, excuses and contingencies for one lifetime. Especially for someone like them.
Not to mention the last stunt she did with time…. Urgh, they still remember the sheer amount of work to fix it.
Ignoring the yuri writer and her insane ideas, Parker honestly felt bad for the witch girl. She didn't ask for this. To lose those she cares for. To cause so many drastic measures. She could have been a great songwriter. She could have had a happy life.
Parker could relate. They never asked to be immortal. Never asked to watch over time. They wish they could have a normal life. Find love, have a family. No worries about outliving people they might get close or attached to. It seems like a distant wish by now. Something that they could only dream of experiencing.
And ignoring the fact that Elia's fate is also undetermined, which was usually something they were usually always annoyed about in these cases, the witch piqued their interest. They'd be keeping an eye on her.
But Parker just really really really hopes both this main character and the writer don't do anything too reckless.
"Elia? Wake up!"
"Huh?" the young witch stirred out her sleep, finding herself looking up at Gelphine's ghostly presence and Corvyn's small feathery size. "What happened?"
"Good, you're alive." The crow said, giving a sigh of calming relief, "You were sound asleep, almost faint pulse. It was truly concerning to say the least!"
The witch girl rose up in alarm. Elia blinked with slight befuddlement. Was… was all of that just a dream?
"Any chance of where we are?" Gelphine asked, looking around, "Or more precisely, when we are?"
The question that popped up seemed to have snapped Elia back to focus and into the situation at hand. Looking around, she realizes that they seemed to have landed themselves in a random forest that seemed unrecognizable to them. They were in the middle of nowhere, and had no idea where they are or even when they are.
"I… have absolutely where we ended up." Elia admitted.
Corvyn looked at her, shocked on his face that a crow could convey, "What?! What do you mean?! Weren't you the one that created the spell?!"
Elia sighed, "Yes, I did. But it was still untested. Who knows where or when I could have taken us. That spell might have even taken us a few minutes forward or back."
It was a very risky gamble to use at the time. But what other options do they have? All their allies have left them and some have died. They're on the run back in their timeline. They're on their own! And even though she gained the people's trust, they're still scared that Morrible would do something to them for even looking at her! As much as she hates the bitch, Elia can admit that the sorcerous is way more experienced in sorcery. One showdown, and El's dead.
Well, too late to turn back now. There is no certain way of returning to their own time without ending up somewhere else. And besides… they have nothing back there anyway. There was nothing they could salvage for a better Oz.
This was… their only option now.
"El?"
The call of her sister's worried tone drawed her back to the task at hand. Elia stood up, looking at Gelphine, who was looking at her like any sister would when they're worried.
"We need to find out where we are." without another clock tick, the witch girl walked through the forest in search of any clues of their whereabouts, "Maybe a nearby town. Or the Emerald City…"
The three of them were quiet at the mere mention of the city. Although it was once their home, it became a place of fear while disguising it with lies and emeralds. When Glinda the Good-
Elia had to stop herself from that thought, stopping her trembling hand from showing.
When that happened, everything fell apart. People barely trusted their family. Not one bit. All because their mother was the Wicked Witch. And when Morrible took over, the Ozians were begging her to save them all. They were asking the girl they once shouted "The no good Wicked Child!" for help. Pathetic, really. Not really nice people to help, overall. But Elia tried to help them anyway. Because she didn't want her Momsie's good work to go to waste.
'Momsie…'
So yeah… no longer home sweet home. And they weren't really looking forward to going back after what had occurred back in the palace.
"Let's just hope you took us somewhere in time where no one can recognize us." Corvyn replied, flying up.
Gelphine, who could also fly up, decided to rather stay by Elia's side. Her sister was rarely quiet. Even after all the death, she would run her mouth. And the ghost girl knew that when she's quiet, she's either in really deep thought to come up with a plan, or…
While trying, Gelphine placed an intangible hand on the green girl's shoulder in reassurance. And even though her hand couldn't comprehend touch, Elia can still sense the sensation.
"What's on your mind?"
Elia stared up at the sky, clear and bright with the sun shining brightly at her face.
Shining brightly like Liir's bright smile-
Guilt was swallowing inside her as if inhaling acid. Like a leech crawling out of her throat.
"I miss them. Again."
Gelphine tried to not show the bitterness on her ghostly face. But even though she tried to level her emotions, her eyes revealed melancholy.
Even though Gelphine can't see her family soon at this state, that doesn't mean she'd leave her sister on her own like this. Not when there's still a chance. Even if it's slim.
"I know." the ghost sister said, "And I know this is difficult. I miss them too. But we'll do this for them. Even if this is all crazy and I'm still mad at you for giving me a panic attack, I know that there's still a chance."
A chance. It's their only chance.
They- no, she can't mess this up. Not again.
"Yes… there will be a chance."
Elia really wants that chance.
After walking for what felt like a lifetime to the group of three, they eventually find themselves in a nearby town with shops to find useful items and perhaps people who can provide them where they are and when in time they ended up in.
Though a great opportunity, one look of the area from behind the trees made Corvyn second guess the option. A hint of small recognition crossed his bird expression.
"Elia, doesn't that town seem familiar to you? Like at all?"
Elia shrugged. It does seem familiar… not somewhere she might visit but somewhere on the map that she might-
"Guys," Gelphine pointed at the building across from the town, "isn't that Shiz?"
Elia widened her eyes. She squinted to search until the witch saw the familiar large building on the other side of the town. A university that Elia knew all too well.
Shiz academy. A highly prestigious school of learning. A place where animals once taught before it all went downhill. Where her mothers first met. Elia and Gelphine could remember the utmost interest when their Momsie and Mother told them the story of loathing, friendship, and loving they had gone through together when they enrolled.
It was also… where Elia once went to learn. She was only there for about a few months before the incident happened. Ever since then, one thing led to another. But she had rather… not so fond memories.
She expected the ridicule of her peers and the looks from her educators. Really, Elia was green and both her mother's legacies either make her elusive or casted a bad light. Not that she ever blamed them for it. If anything, she quite liked the mystery to her reputation at first. It just got pestering when the bullying and horrendible gossip came. Not hurtful. Pestering.
Yet, she never did get to graduate at Shiz. With everything that was going on, the grief and chaos made it difficult for Elia to even return to her studies. There was just too much going on to even let her focus nor even a single thought of Shiz ever appeared in her head.
Well, until now at least.
"Let's see if anyone in town has any details." Elia was already walking toward the town, rather not think about her education at the moment. Not when so much was at stake.
"Wait!" Corvyn cried out.
Elia turned her head to the two others looking at her, not really understanding the looks they were giving her. "What?"
The crow had put his feathered wing over his head while Gelphine only gave her a deadpanned look as she pointed at her wrist.
Elia opened her mouth in an O and looked at her own wrist. The bangle on her wrist shimmered their emerald gems, sparkling. Noticeable. Just like the skin that was now green.
"Right. I'm ravishingly green." with a flick of her wrist as the bangle shined and a snap of her fingers, magic erupted from her fingertips. The enchantment was simple, as the jewels turned bright pink and Elia's green skin turned tanned.
A clever disguise, if Elia would do so herself. At first, the spell could only hide her verdigris form for about an hour before wearing off alone. But with a suitable object to host, let's say jewelry, it can sustain for as long as you're wearing it. Ain't she just too smart for her own good. Take that, Horrendible Morrible!
Anyhow:
With that out of the way, it's time to get some answers.
Good news, no one was suspicious of the strange random person with the random broom that was being carried over her shoulder with a sack hanging from one end and neither did they question the crow perched up onto the other shoulder. Normally, people would question the use of the broom, thinking that she might be related to the Wicked Witch of the West. Or they might question the animal by her side.
Well, that just proves that they ended up before Elphaba had been labeled as a well known dangerously wicked fugitive magic user. Before the vast amount of animals were hunted. Well either that, or the local folks here at this time were too scared to ask and are hidinging their curiosity and fear well.
As they moved along the pavement and eyed the probably nonchalant townsfolk, Elia kept looking from store to store, possibly wondering where to look first and ask questions.
Her search took a sudden halt, when she saw through a window of one of the tailor shops. Dresses and outfits showcasing beautiful designs. The intricacy of the fabric being tediously sewed to display fancy.
Elia liked the idea of looking appropriate. She can appreciate the work of fashion most creatives worked hard on. Though, the witch wasn't much interested in the idea of it before until-
Meadow's bright green smile and her passionate emerald eyes were both wide with awe as she looked at the window display-
Elia sucked her breath to swallow it up. But without thinking, she stepped inside and opened the door to the dress shop, ignoring Corvyn and Gelphine's hushed responses.
The place was filled to the brim with all kinds of fabric, accessories, and materials. With lovely jewels with all sorts of colors and interesting linen from throughout the land. Hats of all sizes hang on hangers, clothing for both everyday life and attire made for social events. Shoes of various sizes were placed neatly in order while threads either thick and thin were neatly rolled up.
And on the counter, was a middle aged woman, reading a book until she noticed Elia at the door and smiled friendly.
"Hello! New around here?"
Elia chuckled, placating a fine yet charming expression, "Is it that obvious?"
"Well I've been here my whole life. Practically know everyone here." the cashier stated, as she eyed Elia from her clothes and broom. Not to mention Corvyn. "You both don't seem like typical folks. Probably not from Shiz either."
Shiz…
A wickedly gleeful idea popped into her head.
Before the crow could say anything to divert the questioning conversation, he was apparently interrupted by Elia.
"Actually, I'm interested in attending a prestigious school such as Shiz Academy. And Corvyn over here is hoping to get a nice job there as a drama teacher."
The woman had a peculiar brow raised.
Corvyn widens his eyes as he looks at the green girl, trying to keep himself from overreacting with someone else in front of them.
Gelphine however…
"WHAT?!"
Yeah, like that. If Gelphine wasn't only heard by her sister, then her response would have reached from all throughout Oz. Though loud that it might have pierced poor people's ears, Elia didn't seem to mind one bit. She was used to it in fact.
"Oh really?" The woman asked, curiously.
"Really." said Elia, proud of herself and ignoring the two other's incredulous faces, " We're hoping to look for a few things before I enroll. Isn't that right, Corvyn?"
He doesn't like whatever insane plan Elia has up in that crazy head of hers. In all honesty, if there wasn't someone watching he could have yelled at her if this was sort of bloody joke she was pulling. If it was, it's not funny. But still…
"Yeah… yeah…" Corvyn answered, voice a tad bit strained for comfort.
Gelphine looked at Elia as if she was serious. She looked at Corvyn if he was deranged for going along with this.
Elia, despite her companion's shocked states, kept going, "So, you have anything to recommend?"
She'll deal with them later.
And eventually, later came.
"What in Lurline's name are you thinking?! Whatever scheme you're plotting, leave me out of it!"
"Relax, it's the perfect excuse! Now, does this uniform look good on me or what? I wasn't really into it at first but-"
"Stop changing the damn subject!"
The conversation with the cashier was still helpful, as they came out of the tailor shop with a Shiz school uniform (She was selling them for students and this one was the last one left) and new info on their whereabouts.
Judging from the date they received in their talk, the three of them ended up somewhere before the Wicked Witch was ever a thing. Which also means that Glinda the Good Witch also isn't a thing. Before Elia and Gelphine's mother's lives turned upside-down. Unfortunately, that means the wizard is still a thing. And still in Oz. Not just Morrible they'll have to deal with. They're not really looking forward to that.
But hey, at least they can pinpoint a suitable place in time to prepare. There's still hope for thwarting both Morrible and the Wizard from silencing the animals. Some hope to save their future.
Though, that still doesn't justify whatever shenanigans Elia has in store.
Elia wasn't seeing the big deal with Corvyn's distress over her decision, "C'mon, Corv. Weren't you a Theater Instructor back in the day? I'm sure you can easily apply for the job."
"That was before the wizard started to hunt the animals. Before I was captured and spent most of my life in a bird cage! I could barely speak simple words after Glinda released me. And years it took for me to recover from the torture. And now you want me to work as a teacher where the enemy might be lurking in the shadows?!"
Gelphine was quiet through the whole conversation in their walk back to the woods. She had opinions on Elia's plan too, but it seems like Corvyn is too fed up and was doing the lecturing for her.
She can understand where his anger and hurt is coming from. And the witch girl knows this too. The wizard came up with many horrific ways to steal the animal's of their voice. It was cruel and tried to strip them of their dignity. The fact that Corvyn has experienced these troubles only made it harder. He's witnessed many things, learned many hard truths during that time. His reaction was reasonable.
The fact that Elia is getting him to get back to teaching, something he had long thought was something of his past, around Morrible's vicinity was just forming a lot of pent up anger he had long ago buried to resurface.
"I know it's stupid and practically wrong of me to ask this, but I don't think we have much of a choice." Elia replied, her tone serious once again as she put the bags of clothing down, "Who knows where we can find allies that might help our cause. I don't know about you, but do you have any idea how to explain that we're from the future without ending up in a mental asylum?"
He doesn't… but still, asking him to do this risky task, "And why is it that we're going to Shiz of all places, hm?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she asked, sitting down on a nearby log and looking at him with calculating eyes as the plan was envisioned through her brain, "What better way of preventing Morrible from doing a shit load of problems than monitor her in her own domain without her knowing. She doesn't know that we know. I don't exist yet. And you're probably somewhere in some theater being a drama queen-"
"I wasn't a drama queen!"
"So she'll never suspect it! And since we know what she's up to, we can stop her when she least expects it. And in case she suspects something, you'll fly away at the first sign of danger and I'll make a break for it on the broom."
They both hate to say it, but Elia's right. Morrible doesn't know them and they have effective ways of escaping in case she realizes. But there were some holes to this plan that needed to be discussed.
"How are we going to get into Shiz anyway? You haven't been in college in three years so you don't have a reliable student transcript to hand in. I haven't been a teacher for who knows how long, how am I going to have the papers to apply?"
The green girl smirked, something Gelphine was always annoyed at, "I'm sure I can forge something up."
Gelphine, apparently, was aware that her sister is a master at calligraphy. She was too. When writing for most of your years, you tend to pick up a few things along the way. It wasn't that much of a secret.
… Why did it just now occur to her that this was another detail to Elia's already long criminal record. First the lock picking, then the gun, and now this.
Oz, why….?
"And if she doesn't believe it?"
"She will. With a hint of persuasion magic."
"Why- you know what, that doesn't surprise me. Always one step ahead." Corvyn remarked, but another thing to take note of as he said "And how exactly do we intend to get rid of both Morrible and the wizard once we get there?"
"Hah, that?... I have no idea." Elia admitted.
"... What do you mean you have no idea?" Gelphine asked, her voice leveled but… there was frustration emitting in it. Corvyn seems just as confused. He was twitching as if the implications were about to make him explode.
Elia, when nervous, fiddled with her shirt, "As much as I want them gone right away, I can't exactly think of an effective way that can be appropriate. Killing is obviously out of the option. I mean, people would try desperately to find the culprit and it could cause lots of problems, especially since both Morrible and the wizard are well known figures. Not to mention the lack of authority figures might cause Oz to go into panic when word of the WIzard is dead. We can't out them with the truth, they'll think we're crazy and lock us up since we'll be known as fugitives for going against their great wizard if we don't have enough proof."
Elia over the years has learned that when it comes to great power, no matter how great it appears to be, it doesn't really matter as it all comes down to being popular. As absurd the idea sounds, it's true. It was the reason why she rather enjoyed the mystery to her name as she was technically a known figure while also allowing her reputation a way for people to stay away. For it was why people pay attention to the most fortunate. That the ones who talk in the taller social class tend to be better in public. How people look to the mere eyes of peers matters to society. The different places in a society show what kind of person people need to see. The personality, whether good or bad, describes who to look up to or not. The wisest would be the ones people listen to as long as they are known. In the end, no matter how strong or smart you are, it all comes down to being popular.
'Hah… momsie taught me this…'
The witch snapped back out of it. Now was not the time.
Corvyn tried to carefully sum up what she had explained, "So… you're saying we wait until evidence of their horrendible treachery comes our way? Without any idea of how to deal with the consequences? Not even a way to imprison the two of them for good?"
The witch shrugged, "when you put it like that, pretty much."
Gelphine hung her head up, feeling hopeless. Well that's just great. Just great. Is what she is thinking. And not like she or Corvyn had any other ideas. So their best bet is just hope they'll be lucky enough for this to perhaps work.
Corvyn replied "Is that really the only plan you have? Just hope for the better and deal with whatever shit might happen?"
"I'm sure we can come up with something eventually." The witch girl seemed to be looking around the forest in search of something to divert the subject. Eventually, her gaze landed on the bags of clothes. "Now help me put this on. I want to know how good looking I am in uniform after all this time."
The crow, too tired to say anything on the impending matter, reluctantly agreed. And without another word uttered from his beak, he was already dragged away to judge fashion in less than a clock tick by an excited young adult who was all too happy like a child.
Gelphine, despite the nerves unsettling deeply, could only laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of her sister's unusual excitement and the crow's displeased face. But nevertheless, she was still in fact worried.
What if this was a mistake?
What if they couldn't do it?
What if more lives could get hurt by doing this?
What if… what if they might-
And just like that, the thought alone caused something to twist inside the ghost girl's invisible stomach. Something to clench her hands hard that if she was alive, it might have bled. Her eyes, surprisingly enough, felt burning tears being formed. Raging hot. Practically boiling her eyelids.
She couldn't- she couldn't think about it. She- She doesn't-
Flash!*
It was faint, but the static caused her to snap her out of her panicked stupor. Sparks that were coming out of her palm were slowly fading as she looked at them with bewilderment. She looked at her see through hands.
What… What was that?
"Why did you buy so many clothes? I thought you were only trying out the uniforms."
"Come on! Is it so wrong to be fashionably dashing on any occasion?"
"We seriously don't have all day to try these on."
Not wanting to think about it too much, Gelphine shook her head as she looked at her friends. She smiled at knowing she was here, with her sister. Without a clock tick to spare, the ghost girl floated to the exasperated crow and all too happy witch.
I mean, what had happened was probably nothing. A trick of the light.
Right?
It was only a month before Shiz started their next school year. This meant that the three of them had just enough time to forge Elia's student papers and Corvyn's job application papers. At first they were a little doubtful that it might not work. That they were too late. Or that the school wouldn't accept another animal teacher. But a week later after turning them in, they finally had received the invitations at the post office.
Elia was ecstatic for multiple reasons. One of them being that maybe she'll be able to finish university this time in this timeline. To have a chance to finally graduate and probably do things differently than before. And this time without people knowing who she was while whispering cruel words that make her blood boil in offence for herself and anger for the rumors about her family. Another reason would be to make Morrible's life as frustrating as possible. She couldn't contain herself at the all too humorously funny mental image of the bitch's angry annoyed face as she tries to hide it so badly.
Corvyn felt anxious at the whole plan. He was still terrified at the prospect of getting captured again, but it didn't stop him from his determination. Ignoring it all aside, he was also honestly excited at the opportunity. The idea of teaching to others once again made his heart flutter and leap in joy. When Corvyn received the news, the crow felt all too excited that he did a little happy dance with his talons and wings (Elia was laughing and teasing at him when he did this. He swore to her not to tell anybody. When she promised, she had her fingers crossed behind her back).
Gelphine was just as eager as her companions about going to Shiz. The ghost girl never got to go to university as she was only fifteen at the time when the incident happened. Now that she is 18 at the moment, she'll finally be able to see what college is like. Even if Gelphine was dead right now which meant she couldn't attend, that still didn't mean that she wouldn't pay attention in class. The mere prospect of learning in college sends her transparent body in loving bliss. The notes. The lessons. The test. The assignments. She couldn't even begin to imagine the thrillifying experience.
So that's how the three of them felt when they saw in front of them the large tall amazing building that was Shiz university. With hope, happiness, excitement, and opportunity filling deep inside of them.
This was it. With only a month of preparation was coming into their use.
This was their hope.
A hope for a better future.
A hope for their mothers.
Their siblings.
Their friends.
Their loved ones.
To all those they had lost.
This was their chance.
A chance.
A chance to might see them all once again.
A chance to might make Oz better for both people and animals.
A chance to might stop the wizard and Morrible's diabolical charade.
A chance to might live happily.
Their one chance.
They stepped inside, without a clock tick of hesitation nor doubt, into their hope, dread, their future education, their mother's once loving home, and the enemy territory.
Let their plan begin.
…..
…..
…..
But still…
Why… does it feel like they're forgetting something very important?
From nearby the harbor at Shiz, there was an excited squeal coming from one of the boats that came through the waters. The boat was just absolutely pink of all shades with pink luggage and pink wood to hold in place for the shape of the boat.
And the one squealing in pure innocent delight in that exact boat? Well, the blonde just couldn't wait for her first year at Shiz of course.