Galinda didn't know what her powers fully emerging would entail, but she wasn't expecting what ended up happening.

It started as a bad case of the sniffles that kept her home from school for a day. When she woke up the next morning, her ears were clogged, and she panicked until a sneeze cleared it up. But the sneeze sent her covers flying from her body and her body shooting up to the ceiling. Her back hit the ceiling, and she crashed back down onto her bed.

"Galinda?" Larena called, knocking on her daughter's door. "Are you alright?"

"Momsie!" Galinda whined. "Help me!"

Fearing the worst, Larena barreled in, just to see her daughter shooting back up to the ceiling as she sneezed again. "Merciful Oz…"

"What's happening to me?"

The older Upland's face broke into a wide grin. "Sweetie, it's your full powers. They're manifesting."

"Can they 'fest without giving me a stomachache?" She burped, and her mother's dress changed into an unflattering shade of orange. "Sorry."

"Not to worry, my darling," Larena said, trying not to sound disgusted that she was wearing a shade of orange that clashed with her hair. She recited a spell and wiggled her fingers, and Galinda slowly floated back down.

Everything she did had a magical effect, from sneezing herself off the floor, to opening drawers by humming, to turning her soup into ice because it was too hot, to magically turning all her clothes inside out when she scratched her knee.

She was the talk of the school when she went back. Everyone was eager to ask her about receiving her full powers. She, of course, left out the boring details and focused on how she felt coming into her full potential.

"It was wonderful," she giggled. "I've never felt more alive. Now that I have my full powers, my Momsie said I can take the Sorcerers' Aptitude Test."

"Really?" one of the younger sorceresses asked.

"You'll be the youngest one to pass. Because of course you'll pass," another gushed.

"That's incredible, Galinda. You're so talented."

The blonde giggled and tossed her hair over her shoulders. "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are," the trio chorused.

"No, I'm not. Stop it." She laughed and led the group away, continuing to talk about magic and the test.

At the end of the day, once she was in the safety of her room, she slid down her closed door with a loud sigh. She thought that sounding confident about the test would help with her anxiety, but it only made it worse. There was a chance — a very slim chance, but a chance nonetheless — that she wouldn't pass the test. Her parents bought her the official study booklet, and there were many spells she didn't know or couldn't execute to the extent required. She wanted to be the youngest sorcerer to pass the test, but if she didn't, she'd be crushed. It was her heart's desire to be not just a sorceress, but a good sorceress. A great one.

She wanted to progress faster, but her parents had been right about not rushing. She learned the hard way what happens when you attempt a spell your magic isn't ready for.

She took a deep breath and straightened. With a quick incantation and wand flick, her pink curtains opened, letting the afternoon sun in. The windows opened, allowing a steady breeze to enter. With a flick of her wrist and another spell, her magic textbooks floated off her shelf, scattering into a neat circle on the floor and opening to the pages where she left off the last time.

She was good at magic but needed to be spectacular for the people who mattered to notice her. She was two months shy of her thirteenth birthday, so she had little time to do a lot of work. With a determined breath, she sat in the center of the circle and began studying.

༒︎ • ༒

Elphaba stared in disdain as the nurse prepared the injection. Even though she was used to her weekly visits, she still despised them, and would continue to despise them. But she learned years ago not to fight. Fighting never got her what she wanted.

"What's in it?" she asked.

The nurse smiled patiently. The older the princess got, the more inquisitive she became about her juvenile myositis diagnosis and treatments. And the adults learned that she'd be more agreeable if they indulged her questions. "Munchkinwood bark extract, Vitamin C, Poppy Antioxidant C32, lotus root, and wheat iron 736."

Elphaba nodded and pointed to the medical journal on her desk. The nurse fetched it and waited patiently as Elphaba flipped through all the ingredients she named. She figured she was probably trying to stall, but knew pushing her could end with her being blasted against the opposite wall.

"An infusion to help manage pain and stimulate muscle movement and prevent atrophy," she deduced after combining all the ingredients.

"Similar medicine taken orally has the potential to taste extremely bitter, due to the Munchkinwood bark," the nurse added.

"Shots have the potential to be painful."

"Not when I do it. It's always just a slight pinch, nothing to fret over. I'm very quick and gentle."

"I know," Elphaba sighed. She closed the notebook and untied her robe.

The nurse smiled and cleaned a spot on both her thighs with a cold alcohol wipe. Elphaba closed her eyes and turned away, squeezing her eyes shut when she felt the slight pinch and the medicine injected into her muscles.

"All done," the nurse smiled.

Elphaba opened her eyes as the nurse removed her gloves. She looked down, the familiar green bandages that matched her skin covering where the pain was. "Oh."

"Same time next week?"

Elphaba crinkled her nose. "I suppose so. Same shot next week?"

The nurse chuckled. "Without fail. Your Royal Highness," she bowed, grabbed her bag, and left.

Elphaba knew she had exactly ten minutes before Ahni returned. She slid her arms into her crutch cuffs and went over to her closet to pick out an outfit. By the time Ahni arrived, she was already dressed in a navy blouse with a bow collar and a long black skirt, sitting in front of her vanity mirror and brushing her hair.

"Breakfast is ready. Your father is waiting," Ahni reported.

"He's waiting for me?" Elphaba blinked, looking at her governess through the mirror. "He usually eats early and is halfway done by the time I get there. He must want to talk to me about something."

Ahni hummed while helping Elphaba with her special boots as the young girl finished braiding her hair. Her father had commissioned a Quadling cobbler to create these shoes, designed to be worn with her braces that supported her balance. This limited her choice of footwear, but thankfully, she wasn't very into shoes. She preferred anything that prevented her from slipping and falling.

"Let's see what he has to say," Elphaba said, waving the woman away so she could lace up the boots herself. She grabbed her crutches and pushed herself up, hearing Ahni follow closely behind.

The sound of her boots and crutches in quick succession filled the halls. Passing maids and servants stopped to bow as she passed, and she acknowledged them with quick nods. Over the years, her mobility and energy had improved to where sometimes, Ahni had trouble keeping up with her.

The Wizard had a plethora of mobility aids custom-made for her, from wheelchairs and forearm crutches to canes and walkers, ensuring that nothing held her back. Ramps were placed next to all the staircases, and he ensured that Ahni was always nearby to assist her as needed.

She sped down the ramp beside the grand staircase and made her way to the double doors leading to the dining room. The guard outside bowed and opened the door for her.

A man in the early years of middle age sat at the head of the table. Grey eyes hid behind the thin glasses perched on his nose. His short, greying hair was coupled with a simple white shirt, a grey vest, and matching pants. He looked up as the doors opened, and his face instantly brightened. "Good morning, Poppyseed."

"Good morning, Father," Elphaba curtsied.

The Wizard stood as Elphaba crossed the room, pulling out the chair to his right. He planted a tender kiss in her hair as she sat. Once he resumed his seat, the doors opened, and the servants brought in breakfast.

"How are you enjoying your lessons, Poppyseed?" the Wizard asked, adding cream and sugar to his coffee.

"Everything's fine, Father," Elphaba smiled, still trying to figure out why her father waited to eat breakfast with her.

"I've been thinking, we should do something special for your fourteenth birthday." He took a bite of sausage. "What would you like?"

Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't that. But her answer was immediate. "I want to go to the Founding Day Festival."

His answer was also immediate, well prepared for this discussion. He took another bite of food. "That's not on your birthday. You have a summer birthday. Founding Day is in the spring."

"I know."

"Can you want something you know I'll give you?"

She was prepared for this. "It's a special day for The Emerald City. For all of Oz. Why can't I go?"

"Because you know I don't want you leaving the palace walls. It's for your –"

"Protection," Elphaba finished with a sigh. "That's what you always say. What's the real reason?" She knew. She figured it out years ago. She was just waiting for him to verbally confirm it.

"That is the real reason, Elphaba."

She didn't believe him. She never did. "Why are you ashamed of me?"

He choked on his coffee. "Elphaba, I am not ashamed of you."

"Yes, you are. If you weren't, you wouldn't keep me hidden. You wouldn't make it illegal for the staff to talk about me. You'd let me have friends and let me be normal." She pushed away from the table, the chair loudly dragging across the floor. She didn't look at her father as she left, her food half-finished and her stomach half-full.

She honestly didn't think her father would cave on the restrictions placed on her. But she still tried. Which is why she didn't know why she was so upset. She shouldn't be. This was her life. In exchange for being a magical princess, she was confined to her palace-prison.

Going out to the garden was the closest thing she had to escaping, so that's where she went. The Emerald Palace Garden was huge, enchanted to keep the temperature perfect for all the food and flowers. Shrubs, bushes, and statues decorated the sides of the paved path. Elphaba hurried away from the palace, not having a direct path in mind, but knowing she had to hide before her father sent someone to bring her back inside. She had just passed a large shrub when she suddenly felt something small jump onto her back and push her down. She fell onto the gravel with a loud grunt, her crutches clattering next to her. She turned, finding three little lion cubs now climbing on top of her, yapping in delight.

"Cubs!" A Lioness appeared from down the path, running over and nudging the baby animals off the emerald-skinned girl. She picked them up by the scruff of their necks with her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Princess! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Gayelette," Elphaba said, pushing herself to a sitting position, but not to her feet.

The cubs tried to climb back on top of Elphaba, and hissed when their mother stopped them.

"They just learned how to pounce. I let them practice on me and Brrr, but they don't understand that they can't do it to everyone, especially you."

Elphaba scratched one of the cubs under the chin, who purred and nuzzled his nose against her palm. "It's alright. Hi, Lippy."

"We got you!" Lippy spoke, startling Elphaba.

She looked up at the Lioness. "Oh! I didn't know they were speaking already."

"They started a few days ago, and haven't stopped," Gayelette sighed.

"We pounced you!" Lippy's sister, Fura, yapped, playing with Elphaba's braid.

"We're good at pouncing," the last little Cub, Ailuro, claimed proudly, shaking his non-existent mane.

"Very good," Elphaba agreed. "You'll be professionals in a few weeks."

"Oz help me," Gayelette groaned. "Yes, you three are very good, but no more pouncing on the princess. Understand?"

"Yes, Mawmee," the three chorused, and Elphaba figured it would be reinforced a few more times before it sank in.

"I wanna go to the lotus pond," Lippy said, pausing in chasing his tail.

"Me, too!" Ailuro bounced, then grabbed Elphaba's sleeve with his mouth. "Come with us!"

"Yeah! Come with us!" Fura agreed, nudging Elphaba's back with her nose.

Elphaba pushed herself up, aided by a gentle nudge from Gayelette, and chased after the rambunctious Cubs. That's how she found herself at the large lotus pond, watching as the Cubs showed her how they can blow bubbles in the water, and stopping them from scaring the freshly hatched ducklings.

Perhaps the palace wasn't always the prison she made it out to be.


Galinda paced around her room. She was supposed to be asleep. She knew she should be asleep. The last thing she wanted to do was take the Sorcerers' Aptitude Test after a restless night. But she couldn't sleep, and no amount of her mother's special warm milk would aid in her endeavor.

She had studied all she could for the past two months. She had her teachers, classmates, and parents quiz her on the material. She practiced and perfected the spells. She honed her technique. She practiced her breathing exercises to keep her emotions from interfering. She even forwent a grand thirteenth birthday celebration in favor of a small party with her friends, showing off her newly perfected skills for the test.

She was ready. Her brain was ready. Her heart was ready.

But her nerves… her nerves were about to get the better of her.

She couldn't stop thinking about the test, but knew she had to. It was too late for second-guessing. Whatever was going to happen tomorrow was going to happen, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Perhaps a sleeping spell would do the trick. It was one of the spells she studied, but didn't make it a priority because she didn't plan on putting the jurors to sleep. Thinking about sleep did little to make her tired, and she wished she had some of her mother's warm milk with cinnamon and honey. She wanted to cast the sleeping spell on herself, but then the thought of her not waking up in time scared her out of that decision.

Finally, with no other ideas, she climbed into bed, snuggled under the covers with her doll, and did her calming breathing exercises. It took a while, but she was able to fall asleep without milk or magic.

Nine hours later, Galinda awoke to someone gently stroking her cheek. She looked up to see her mother sitting next to her on the bed.

"Good morning, my little sorceress," Larena smiled, planting a gentle kiss in her hair. "Did you sleep well?"

"Morning, Momsie," Galinda sleepily smiled. She pushed herself up and stretched. She felt well-rested and ready. "I did."

"Breakfast will be ready soon. I already laid out your traveling clothes and test outfit."

Galinda jumped up and hurried into the bathroom. She did her full morning routine, making sure she felt squeaky fresh and clean. She showed and slipped into her slip and bloomers. Once in her underclothes, she did a few light stretches to loosen and warm up her body. She buttoned up her pink traveling dress and hurried downstairs for breakfast.

The food was filling, but not heavy. Her mother had requested scrambled eggs, toast, a few bacon slices, and fruit salad. Her parents didn't mention the test, for fear it would make her nervous, and Galinda was glad for the silent care.

"The spot for the Gillikin ambassador will open up in two years, since Ambassador Ayapap won't renew, and my club has put forth my name for the ballot," Highmuster said.

"That's wonderful, Popsicle!" Galinda giggled.

"What will that entail?" Larena asked, more cautious than excited.

"Political and societal obligations, as well as meetings with the Wizard and the other provinces' ambassadors on the first day of every month," Highmuster said.

"You'll get to meet the Wizard?" Galinda asked. "You must win, Popsicle!"

"I will try my best, my pet. The terms are five years long, and –"

"And it sounds like a lot of work," Larena hummed.

"Yes, but it will do a lot of good. I have so many ideas that –"

"Excuse me, sir, but the coach is ready," a butler interrupted gently with a swift bow.

"Great. Thank you, Harv," Highmuster nodded.

Galinda finished her orange juice and wiped her mouth. She jumped up from the table and ran to put on her traveling cloak, only catching the latter part of her father's response to her mother.

"… won't defininishly run. I'm just putting forth the idea."

The topic was put to rest as the family climbed into the coach and began the hour-and-a-half journey from the Upper Uplands to Dixxi House. Larena quizzed Galinda on the material, making sure she knew the proper wand positions and gestures, as well as the proper pronunciation.

Galinda's nerves settled during the ride, only to spike again as the Great Gillikin Amphitheater and Arena came into view. Her fingers twitched, and her mother's hat grew a large peacock feather.

"Galinda," Larena said, gently stroking the back of her daughter's hand. "Everything will be fine. You're ready. Do your breathing exercises."

The young blonde closed her eyes and inhaled slowly like she was sucking through a straw. She held it for a few seconds, then let it out. The feather on her mother's hat disappeared.

"Better?"

"Yes, Momsie."

The coach slowed to a stop, and Highmuster got out first, then helped his wife and daughter down. Galinda looked up at the large, imposing front of the building, feeling smaller than ever before.

She took a deep breath. She had come too far to turn back. It was too late to give up. She was here, this was her only chance, and she was going to succeed.

"Good morning. Are you here for the Sorcerers' Aptitude Test?" a young woman at the table said as the trio went inside.

"Yes. Galinda Upland," Larena said, squeezing her daughter's hand.

The woman checked her clipboard. "Wonderful. We've received all your forms ahead of time. Thank you. Miss Galinda, if you'll follow me, I'll lead you to the warm-up room, and your parents can wait in the waiting room right down the far hall."

"Momsie?" Galinda blinked when she realized her parents couldn't stay with her.

"It's alright, pet. We'll be right here when you come out," Highmuster said, holding back his nerves when he saw Galinda's bottom lip quiver.

"Go with the nice lady, Galinda. Best of luck. We love you," Larena smiled with an encouraging nod.

Galinda watched as her parents left down the hall.

"Miss Galinda," the woman called, gesturing for the young girl to follow her.

The blonde followed the woman in the opposite direction to the warm-up room. It was empty, which Galinda was grateful for. She didn't want to talk to or see anyone else.

"You have fifteen minutes. I'll come back when they're ready for you," the woman said, closing the door behind her.

Galinda shed her cloak and looked in the mirror. Her parents bought her a polo dress made of stretchy, breathable material that allowed for quick and easy movement. It was dark pink, with sleeves that stopped just above her elbows, and a puckered skirt that flowed to her knees. She unbuttoned the top button and fixed the collar. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail, leaving a bit out to frame her face. She stretched and did a few jumping jacks to get her blood circulating after sitting for so long.

"Miss Upland, they're ready for you now," the woman said, peeking her head in.

Galinda nodded and pulled out her wand. She clutched it in her hand, connecting to it as an extension of her fingers, and followed the woman out and downstairs. The magic area was underground to provide a perfectly controlled atmosphere. When they got down, the steel doors slowly slid open.

"Best of luck, my dear," the woman said, gently urging her forward.

The blonde took a deep breath and stepped forward. The steel doors closed behind her. The area was large, with empty seats surrounding a large playing area. She looked around, her gaze rising to a large window, where three shadows were hidden behind a screen. She couldn't tell just from their shadows, but it appeared to be two females and one male. She didn't know why their identities had to remain a secret, but she had more important things to worry about.

"Galinda Upland," she introduced herself in a confident voice beyond her thirteen years. She lifted her wand, making its tip glow.

A loud bell rang, and a magic flare of plasma energy shot toward Galinda, beginning the test.

༒︎ • ༒

Elphaba lazily cast the levitation spell on the coin before her, making it spin so violently that it looked like it wasn't moving. She was still upset by her father's decision, but he didn't bring it up, so she wouldn't, either.

"Miss Elphaba."

She looked up at her magic teacher. The sorceress was around the same age as her father, with blonde hair so light, it looked white. Her ornate emerald dress and cape matched the palace walls, and her amber eyes stared down at her young pupil, a perfectly shaped eyebrow quirked in annoyance.

To all of Oz, she was Her Greatness, The Savior Sorceress. But to Elphaba, she was simply, "Madame Morrible?"

"I'm well aware you've mastered the levitation spell. Perhaps demonstrate something more on your level."

Elphaba knew she wouldn't have gotten away with such a simple display of her magic. The sorceress had trained and tutored her since she was a small child, and knew what she was capable of. She changed the coin's color from copper to emerald, keeping it floating and spinning.

"Somehow, we've backtracked."

She sighed and crushed the coin into a marble.

Morrible placed a hand on her hip. "Miss Elphaba, are our weekly private lessons boring you? Would you like me to leave so you may get to the weekend faster?"

"No, Madame." She abandoned the marble-coin, dropping it and watching as it rolled off the table. She took a piece of paper and folded it into a swan. She held it in her palm and blew on it. Its paper wings flapped, and it soared through the air, circling Morrible's head before perching on her hair.

"Better," the sorceress nodded, though she snatched the paper swan from her head when it started pecking her.

Elphaba rubbed her legs, her face twitching as a jolt of pain shot up her calves. It soon dulled, and she returned her gaze to her teacher. "Madame, tell me about the Sorcerers' Aptitude Test."

"It's a test held twice a year in each of the four Ozian quadrants to see if individuals who possess magic have the potential to develop it at the highest, professional level. In fact, I've just presided over the most recent test in the Gillikin."

"Why is there a test in the first place?"

"Magic is a demanderating mistress, a rare talent with limited access to proper instructors. While Oz has always been a magical land, magic itself has recently resurfaced within the last two decades." A dark look crossed her face, but it passed as quickly as it appeared. "The test is completely optional, but each person may only take it once. Not many people can properly cultivate their magic, seeing as it's a rare art form with limited access to properly trained teachers. The limited teachers need to make sure we're not wasting our time with someone with no potential. As I've told you before, magic is like a muscle. If they don't cultivate their magic, it atrophies and dies, and no harm is done."

"Do I have potential?"

"As the Wizard's heir –"

"If I weren't the Wizard's heir, would I have potential? Would you be wasting your time with me?"

"Of course not, dearie. You are a child of two worlds. You have raw power, a sub-rarity of the rare talent. It's not every day full powers manifest in a toddler."

She had heard that she was "a child of two worlds" before. It seemed to be Morrible's favorite description of her. She knew her father wasn't from Oz, and had come from the sky by balloon from another world. The "America Star", the brightest star in the sky, was named after where he was from. She didn't know much about her father's world, just that it was very different and less colorful than Oz. "I would like to take the test."

She chuckled. "That won't be necessary."

She gripped the armrests of her wheelchair. "Why not?"

"Because you've already proven yourself. Testing you now would be a waste of time."

"Testing me would be fair."

"If you wish for a test, I will give you one." A paper and pen appeared in front of the emerald girl. "Question one: What is the incantation for the silencing spell?"

Elphaba frowned at how easily she had walked into being manipulated like that. She grabbed the pen and wrote the answer.

"Question two: What is the counter-spell for the spell that changes vinegar to wine?"

Twenty questions and one hand cramp later, Morrible took the paper from Elphaba. She glanced over her answers, then stuffed the paper into her carpet bag.

"His Ozness has requested we take a trip to the palace library. We will be studying the old magic archives."

That piqued Elphaba's interest. The old magic archives were under strict lock and key, containing tomes of books dating from before her father arrived in Oz. She had always wanted to read the books, but he had said they were too fragile to be handled. He must've changed his mind. A trip to the library as a replacement for the trip to the town square.

"We only have an hour left," Morrible urged.

Elphaba rolled back from her desk, leaving all her materials behind, and led the way out. Her magic instructor quickly stepped beside her, answering her numerous questions about what they might find in the archives. Morrible indulged her curiosity. For a moment, her mind drifted to a time when Oz was different. When even asking a simple question could mean the end of your life. Now here she was, escorting this strange, yet inquisitive, thirteen-year-old child to a place that she built from the ground up.

Once they entered the library, Morrible led her to the back. She whispered a spell, and a lock clicked, echoing through the quiet room. Books slid to a hidden compartment behind the wall, and a door appeared behind the parted shelves.

Elphaba's eyes widened as she watched Morrible press her palm against the keyhole. It glowed, and the door slid open, revealing a vast emerald and gold room. Books filled the floor-to-ceiling shelves. The young girl followed her teacher, looking around in awe.

"I want more than an hour," she declared, reaching for a black book with silver bindings.