Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The emerald streets of the city were pretty dreary at night. Even though the Emerald City is wide and beautiful with all its glorious green jewels that give its wonder and awe, it can be pretty ominous at night. The green only made it more weary when the moon and the black sky shut out the light.

That, and the fact that the Gale Force seems to stomp their boots all military style to make it even more scary as they were hunting for their target.

Unfortunately for them, their target seemed to have other plans. None of which is messing with the police like she usually does.

In a black hood, she silently trudged her boots to a nearby bar. The person didn't want any trouble for the guards that marched the green pathways that showed authority. Rather, she wanted to do one final thing on her list before taking her leave.

The place was bustling on and on, talking amongst themselves while being drunk out of their minds. The person always comes here for a quick drink as it was the perfect place to lay low where people were too busy waiting away and being loud. Even more perfect since it was good to talk to the bar keep, who was named Rowand.

He was pouring out a glass for a customer, but only to stop mid way when he saw the person. He held out a good and hearty smile as the friend sat down at the counter.

“Elia! Good to see you! These buggers were giving me a hard time. Finally, a respectful guest!” Rowand exclaimed, motioning to the men talking loudly filled with curses, obviously wasted.

The person, Elia, seemed to be a young woman with light brown skin and brown eyes, her black hair messy in a high ponytail. Under her hood and cloak, she wore a black jacket under a white polo shirt and also a diamond necklace with the shape of a star for the pendant. Elia had black tapered pants over her shirt and dark green combat boots with mud on them. She had a satchel over her shoulder and a gold bangle with pink jewels sparkling as if enchanted.

But instead of a smile, Elia stares with a dark serious look in her eyes.

Rowand took note of this immediately with worry, “Hey, is everything okay? I know things haven’t been… good. But are you okay?”

She just stares at him with those same eyes that lessened when being aimed his way, “Just a quick drink, please.”

The bartender slowly nods. He watched her carefully as he setted up her usual order. He wasn’t suspicious that she would cause trouble at his place, of course. No matter how unpredictable she was, Elia was always a friend to talk to.

Even if she was one of the most feared in all of Oz.

Rowand handed her the glass. As she takes it, Elia immediately chugs it down her throat in one go and then sets the now empty glass hard, making it vibrate.

“Hey! Careful! Don’t want you getting drunk, now would we? What would your sister say when she sees you in a terrible hangover?” he snarks, trying to lighten her up.

Unfortunately for him, Elia flinches at the words. She nibs the bit of her lips as if his words were sour when processed. Try as she might to hide it, she looked like she wanted to cry.

He widened his eyes, “No…”

“Yes…” Elia replied, rather… unsure herself.

Rowand felt like kicking himself. Of course she was like this. The last time she was like this, she was wallowing away in a drunken state, singing serenade songs that her and her girlfriend used to sing before she kicked the bucket. The woman was so loud that it took a lot of effort to keep her out of the Gale force's sight. Heck, all of her losses hit just as much.

The rebel had lost too many loved ones in this cruel world. And now, she was the last of her family left.

The barkeep tried to find the right words to ask. “And… what are you going to do about it?”

He focussed his gaze onto her eyes. As a bartender for years, he learned that the best way to get anything from a person was to be their eyes. A lot of story and background can come from a person’s eyes.

And her eyes say… a lot.

Panic took over him as he realized part of her plan, “You aren’t seriously going to go there and steal it, aren’t you? You’ll get yourself killed! Or worse!”

“You can’t convince me otherwise, my friend. It’s time I change things for the better.” she stated so surely.

Rowand knew that when Elia’s mind was set, it’s set. Rowand knew she was capable. She was the most capable person and evasive activist he’d ever seen. But his worry didn’t settle. “But… are you sure this is what you want?”

A beat of quiet between the two said it all.

“I only came here to drink one final time before leaving this place.” Elia said, pulling out money to pay for the drink, “I’m eternally grateful to you for being here when I need to talk. To vent. You’re a kind man, Rowand. I’m glad to have you as my friend.”

“Is… is there any way I can stop you?”

She mused over the request, humming in thought, “No. I don’t think so.”

Saying their goodbyes, Rowand watches as Elia tries to walk out of the bar without being the center of attention.

But try as she might, she would always somehow gonna draw an audience to herself no matter where she is.

Because someone, who was clearly drunk and a creep, grabbed her wrist before she could get out of there, clearly eyeing her with interest at not just her looks and jewelry.

“Say? What does a pretty little thing like you doing hiding under a cloak. Especially wearing fancy stuff out in broad daylight?” he asked, looking at the necklace dangling from her neck and the bangle on her wrist.

This did not look good.

“Hey! Stop that!” Rowand yelled out the man, clearly mad at his behavior.

He wasn’t letting it go.

“Now, now. I just want to talk to this beautiful young woman. Ask her a few questions.” he smirked, clearly unnerving and vile plastered with lies.

Though, before he could do anything, a punch to the face rocketed like the witch coming through with a big SMACK! Knocking him out and letting her go.

Everyone turned to see what the commotion was all about. Elia just stared darkly at the man.

“Touch me again and maybe death might await you.” she said coldly, eyes like stone and expression scarcely seeming like she might murder someone tonight.

With wide eyes all around her, Elia tried to leave as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the Gale Force arrived to see what was all the racked about.

“Hands up and nobody moves!”

Elia scoffed, “Whelp time to get the fuck out of here!”

Before they could stop her, she brought something from her pocket and threw it to the ground. Green smoke quickly appeared, causing everyone who inhaled them to cough. As the smoke cleared, she was gone without a trace.

“Sir, was that-”

“It is.” the leader said, glaring in frustration at the escape. “Scour the streets! She can’t have gotten far.” and with that command, they immediately dispersed.

Rowand sighed sadly. He would miss his friend. But he was proud, nonetheless.

Elia was a force to be reckoned with for a reason. When she wants something, she gets it.

The Gale Force was always hunting her down for causing songs of revolting. But never did catch her. Elia would never let them, of course. Only when she wants them to.

Morrible was always trying to stop her herself. With fits of anger and frustration fueling her magic. But Elia would never be defeated by the likes of that awful woman. She wouldn’t want that.

But most of all, the young woman would do anything for the ones she cares about. She would give her siblings the gifts they wanted. She would make her parents proud. She would lavish her girlfriend with love and affection. When friends are in trouble, she makes sure they’re protected. The reason is simply because she wants to with all her heart.

And if she wants to steal from Morrible, then she’ll succeed.

After all, Elia Upland-Thropp always gets what she wants.

The Emerald Palace was covered in jewels of green from all around. It would be beautiful to look at if it wasn’t for the dark of soldiers in all corners. On guard. Waiting.

Though, that didn’t seem to stop an intruder from infiltrating the castle.

With each steady pace in her step, Elia carefully walked her way through while trying not to draw any sound, not wanting anyone to find her.

Though, that would be hard if the literal ghost floating beside her could just shut up.

“Out of all the bad ideas you do, this has got to be the most insane one to give me a stroke. You’re gonna die doing this, El!”

It was her sister. Her recently dead sister. Gelphine.

Unlike her, who has green skin and disguises it with magic imbued onto her bangle, Gelphine had tanned skin and coiled black hair that formed a large braid behind her being held by a green bow. She had their mother’s green eyes with circular glasses over them and facial features, while also wearing a white flowery dress and green slippers.

And she was also see-through. Not to mention only can be seen by Elia. The interesting perks to being a ghost.

“You know, if I knew that spell would actually bring you back but would allow you to watch over me 24/7, I would have just preferred mourning you.”

Elia could recall the frantic events all so vividly.

It all happened so fast. One moment she was sadly reminiscing about the long ago past while on her way home and then the next she sees Gelphine on the edge of death awaiting her near the sidewalk. 

She remembers her sister’s blood leaving her body, telling her that it was going to be alright for reassurance. She remembers her younger sister’s dying breath slowing down. She remembers recalling a spell she took a glimpse of in the Grimmerie page. She remembers the powerful words coming out of her mouth in desperate breaths.

She also remembers the overflowing tears streaming her cheeks as Gelphine drew her last breath. She could recall the cries of grieving at the prospect of yet another dear family member being taken away from her. The sheer agony of yet failing another she cared about. Recalling Corvyn consoling her with a feather wing on her back while also desperate to console himself.

She remembers feeling like a true failure. What kind of older sibling was she to let all three of her younger siblings die?

Elia thought that was the last she had seen of Gelphine when the spell failed. It didn’t fail, of course. Just… not what she expected.

Gelphine gave her a glare, “Don’t pin the blame on me, it was your idea to try and bring me back. What were you expecting, exactly? My stab wound instantly healed? The revival of my loss of blood? Become a scarecrow like Uncle Yero?”

Yeah… Elia definitely had something totally different in mind when casting that spell.

“Would it make much of a difference? Look, if you really don’t want me to die, then stop distracting me with your lectures.”

That seemed to have shut her up, knowing fully well that Elia was right. They both know that they couldn’t risk making any noises or else they’d be alerting the guards that the Wicked Child of the Witch is infiltrating the Emerald Palace. Something neither of them wanted.

Elia walked silently, remembering where the Grimmerie was being held. She makes her way through the hallways while passing the guards all so slickly with Gelphine trailing behind her. And then, with one more turn, the two of them finally found the door to the Grimmerie. Only a lock standing in Elia’s way.

Gelphine gave out a defeated huff, “Great, locked. How are you-” she sees her sister pulling out a hair pin, “Wait… you know how to-”

“Pick a lock?” Elia finishes, already picking the lock, “Sure I do. What, how else do I get inside your room?”

“You what?!”

*click* “And done!” Elia exclaims.

Gelphine was still looking at her like she felt exposed, and then just sighs in defeat. “You know what, I should have known.”

Elia ignores her, opening the door and stepping in.

And there it was.

Across from the two of them on top of a podium, was the Grimmerie. The book of all kinds of spells and wonders. The book that can give you wings. Can turn you into a scarecrow or tin man. Can shrink your heart. A scary yet incredible book indeed.

It can be their downfall. And their last hope.

Without much hesitation, Elia was already grabbing the book and putting it in her bag.

“Great! You have the Grimmerie! Now can we please leave without anyone, especially her , from finding you.” Gelphine asked, desperate to leave right this instant.

Elia nodded. The longer she was here, the more she wanted to kill a certain weather sorcerous.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

The two of them bite back a curse.

Speak of the devil and she will appear.

Elia turned around, facing the vile, despicable, cruel (She could go on forever. But to save time, that was all to be described) woman that was Morrible. Age really did take its toll with all the wrinkles on her face and body. Was also shorter too with disheveled hair. Time did not do her any good.

“Well, we meet face to face once again.” she greeted, an obviously fake smile plastered on her face all crooked.

“Yeah, I’d rather not face that face of yours.” Elia replied, looking away to make her point.

Gelphine wanted, oh so much wanted, to get away from the situation as much as possible. Away from the woman that caused all of their problems. “Why… just, why? No complications, that’s all I ask.” she asked pitifully to the world.

Morrible gaze was fixated on Elia, and then onto the satchel carrying the Grimmerie. The witch girl stood her guard, hand firm onto her bag.

No way was she letting go of their only hope.

“No wrong moves, child.” Morrible said, face fake along with everything about her, “I suggest you turn yourself in along with the book you're holding. You and I both know you wouldn’t want events to get more messy than it already is.”

“Yeah, no. Unfortunately for you, stealing from the awful person that killed my family and friends happens to be on my bucket list.” Elia remarked.

“I gave you a chance. Multiple in fact. And yet you refuse every time. And every time, you and your family paid the price.” she said, walking in circles around the green girl.

Elia scoffed with hate, “Oh gee. I don’t know why every time I refuse, you seem to kill off every person I love and cherish. I simply have no idea!” she asked sarcastically, every bit of her words aimed at Horrendible Morrible (As Elia dubbed her).

Morrible’s fake kindness facade wore off and she was now glaring at the young woman, “I did what was necessary. Don’t you see? Your grandfather-”

“Ew, don’t call him that. I already feel shame knowing the fact that I share the same blood as him to make it disgusticified enough for me to kill myself.” Elia had a look of disgust at just the mere thought.

“He was doing it for the greater good of Oz.”

“And his ways were terrible. I’m glad he’s gone. But the only bad thing was that you’re still here.”

“Watch your words, Wicked Child. I’m picking where he left off and it’s benefiting Oz. There were just necessary sacrifices that needed to be done.”

“Killing people? And you wonder why the Ozians prefer me over you.”

Gelphine was pinching the bridge of her nose hard. It could have hurt if she was alive. Even though she agrees with everything her sister was saying, staying here would only make this heist harder and smacking insults with the evil dictator sorceress was not helping their escape!

But before she could tell Elia that they were wasting crucial time, Gelphine perked her eyes to where Morrible was going and froze.

A lever. A clear bad sign.

“El, we need to go.” Gelphine quickly said. She was grateful that one of the greatest side effects to being like this was that she can only be heard by Elia. “Morrible is heading towards a lever.”

Noting what she meant, Elia nodded subtly.

Before Morrible could reach the lever in time to trap her, she had done the unexpected for both the sorceress and Gelphine.

Elia, in an instant, held out a gun out of nowhere, locked and loaded. Pointing solely onto the old horrid woman.

“Don’t you dare or I’ll shoot.”

Morrible freezed.

And so did Gelphine.

“Where in Oz did you get a gun?!” asked an incredulous Gelphine, looking at Elia and then the armed gun, “Have you been carrying that this whole time?!”

Elia ignored her, only taking in the fear in Morrible’s eyes with pure satisfaction. If only she could take a picture of this moment.

“Is this what they would have wanted?” the scared shitless old woman asked, keeping calm while trying one last resort to be convincing. Which was kind of hard with the gun pointing in her direction. “Do you really think your family, your friends, the people of Oz, Sonia , would accept you becoming a killer?”

The Wicked Witch Child growled. Clearly wanted to do it. To take her name out of that murderer’s mouth.

Elia wanted so so badly to make Morrible pay. Pay for tricking her Mother. Pay for hurting her Momsie. For killing them both. For ruining all their lives. For killing Liir, Meadowbrooke, Felici, Venrick, Gelphine, and Sonia. For taking away their happiness.

But despite that, one look of Gelphine’s pleading eyes looking at her told her not to pull that trigger. Made her realize.

They wouldn’t want that. Wouldn’t want to dirty herself like the woman before her.

“No. They wouldn’t want me to do it.” Elia admitted, lowering her weapon, “I don’t want to do it.”

Morrible grinned.

“... But to see the look of fear on your face was worth it, bitch.”

The old woman frowned, and then tried to quickly grab the lever. But for her, bad luck awaited as the trigger pulled and a gun shot screamed its way through the room.

And then Morrible screamed.

Smoke was coming from the gun after firing.

Elia smiled.

Gelphine was stunned.

And Morrible? She was fuming at the fact that the girl shot her hand away from the lever.

All too happy at what she just did, Elia says “Whoops! My fingers slipped!” and then she made a run for it as fast as possible out the door.

A loud furious yell from behind her, making the green witch girl laugh joyously.

From right, she sees Gelphine floating from her side as she runs. Though focused on running away, Elia could sense that she was annoyed.

“Did you really have to involve a gun in all of this?” Gelphine huffed.

“What? At least I didn’t exactly kill her. She deserved it, Gelphie! Besides, scaring Horrendible Morrible shitless was also on my bucket list!”

Before her sister could say more to point out how crazy she was, the blaring alarms stopped them in their tracks. They could hear an angry old vile woman talking from the speakers, attacking orders.

“THE WICKED CHILD OF THE WITCH IS HERE! DON’T LET HER GET AWAY!!!”

Elia whistled with large surprised eyes,  “Huh, now that was fast. Especially with an injured hand.” Even though she hated her, the green girl couldn’t help but be impressed.

Unlike her sister, Gelphine wasn’t taking the whole thing well. “Great! Just great! They’re after you! They know you’re here!” and then a cry of tired exasperation, “I knew this was a bad idea the moment we got here!”

But to Gelphine’s utter shock, Elia had the look in on her face. The same look she knows and dreads.

The spark of determination and mischief.

“Not if I have anything to say about it!”

When Gelphine was about to ask how, a guard found Elia across the room.

“There she is!” was all it took for more guards to appear.

Elia made a fast bolt for it with Gelphine floating behind her. It was a good thing that the green girl was so good at running and evading the cops, because she was faster than the whole Gale Force combined to get far ahead of the chase.

Though, the chase wasn’t gonna last long. Because she ended up on top of the balcony on the tall tower.

The same tower that her moms told her and her siblings about. Where her mother first flew.

Where she defied gravity.

And so would she.

“Any bright ideas now?” she hears her sister say, worry etched into every tone of her voice as more guards came.

Elia smirked at her ghost sister, who did not appreciate the sparkle in her eyes.

The witch child turned to look at the guards, who stood strong and triumphant as they readied their weapons. Though they knew she was dangerous, they were sure that they had her cornered where they wanted her.

And yet…

Her condescending smile showed otherwise.

“Well gentlemen, that was a good run! Gonna miss making fun of you all.” Elia announced, taking one step back, “But this, you all, is where I make my one final goodbye.”

They looked at each other, and then back at her. Their expressions clearly confusified.

Gelphine as well. “El, what-”

To the ghost girl’s shocking distress, She jumped off the balcony.

Gelphine heart seemed to have stopped. She sees her sister, falling down in full force.

“ELIA!” she shrieked in complete horror. Tears in her eyes and dread overtaking her senses even in death.

Gelphine would have been crying out bottles of tears if she wasn’t dead. Her heart would have been beating so fast with adrenaline if she would have had a heart. Instead, her thoughts were rushing as if wishing none of this was happening. Hope was vanishing within her core.

But then she hears a whistle.

Elia… was flying a broom. Their mother’s old broom. The one that hasn’t been used in years after her actual death.

In the air, for all to see, was Elia Upland-Thropp. The Wicked Child of the Witch. Flying sky high on her mother’s broom. Just like Elphaba had done all those years ago. Flying so high and defying gravity as the sun began to rise.

But unlike her, she just took a bow as if she were in a performance. And then feeling victorious, she flew off.

“Well that was fun!”

“Are you kidding?! You nearly died!”

“And yet here I am!”

The two sisters, one holding the broom in her hand and the other floating, were heading home after that long flight. And the whole time, Gelphine wanted to pull her sister’s ear for doing that crazy stunt. Too bad her hands were intangible to even try.

But hey, at least she has a mouth. And someone that can hear her.

“Do you know how scared I was?! I had a freakin heart attack! If I wasn’t already dead, I would have been dead either way after that trick!”

Much to Gelphine’s dismay, Elia just rolled her eyes, “Would stop it. I survived at least. The heist was successful. Now, we can move onto phase 2.”

Even in the afterlife, Gelphine still has to live with her sister’s crazy plans, “And what would you have done if the broom didn’t manage to get to you in time? What would happen then?

Much to Gelphine’s horror, Elia's lips were silent. It makes it seem like she won an argument, but that wasn’t it. Instead, it just confirmed one thing to the ghost, making her paler than her skin was already after death. Worry settled in firmly in her head at the clear implications.

“Elia-”

“Don’t.”

“You can’t be serious. I thought we already-”

“I said don’t .” and her tone of voice was making it final, which shut her younger sister off. It made her more serious. And so unlike Elia.

They stayed the whole way home silent after that, neither of them wanted to say a single word.

Elia finally broke the silence once her line of sight was onto the cottage from ahead, “Hey! We’re here!”

Gelphine still says nothing. Just floating there while watching the green girl take out her keys to their home and unlocking the door.

The inside had only one couch and a table. Not to mention a measly kitchen and one bedroom. And… that was pretty much it.

Their place wasn’t much, but it was homey. Homey as it can get and better than living in the Emerald City. It was the safest place they could hide away from the Gale Force. That, and the old castle of the Wicked Witch of the West. Though, it was torn down years ago after their mother’s “death” so it doesn’t really count.

“Finally! You’re here! Where were you?! Going to take a drink at Rowand’s shouldn’t take that long!”

Corvyn, the crow, immediately flew to Elia’s side in extreme worry all over his face. After all the times of watching over the Upland-Thropps with the help of a black cat and a conniving snake for their mothers, Elia seems to be the one to cause the most problems.

Elia hummed, “Well, took a small detour and a well deserved reward.” rummaging her bag, she showed off her newly prized Grimmerie in her hands like a trophy.

Like Gelphine, Corvyn did not take that well and his expression was shocked beyond belief for a crow, “What- you stole from the Emerald Palace. What were you thinking?! You could have been captured! Killed!”

“That’s what I said.” Gelphine muttered. To her disappointment, Corvyn couldn’t hear her. Elia can, but she chooses to ignore her.

Elia just waved it off, “Hey, I succeeded!”

“Barely…”

“That’s too risky! What if Morrible saw you!?”

“She did…”

“Oh, she did.” Elia said, repeating what her sister had just said with less displeasure.

That seemed to have made the bird even more stuttery and worried, wings flailing to show his panic. “She what?!”

“Don’t worry, I dealt with her.”

“With a gun .” Her sister replied, putting more depth in the word.

“But hey, at least I have the Grimmerie!”

Disbelief was written all over his feathery body, knowing full well there was more to the story but wouldn’t tell him, “Why were you even trying to steal the Grimmerie in the first place?! What spell are you even trying to use?!”

“Now that I think about it, yeah.” Gelphine replied, looking at her sister sternly, “You never told me what you were going to use it for.”

“Simple, use a time travel spell.”

The silence in the room felt awkward as hell for Elia.

“... You can do that?” asked Corvyn, surprised, “Is there really a spell for that?”

“No. There isn’t.” Gelphine stated, cutting off Elia from the answer for the crow’s question, “If there were, Mother would have used it already.”

“Hah. See, interesting theory here with that.” Elia said, hand on her chin to think, “How do I put this into words?”

Both of them had their mouths shut. They kept looking at her to share on this assumed “Theory” of hers. The two of them knew that this theory is gonna be either insanely genius or downright insane.

Elia sighed, “You know the story of how Aunt Nessa tried to use one of the spells but it backfired really badly?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, that was due to getting the spell wrong. And, after doing a bit of thinking, I came to the conclusion that the different words in the spell can determine the reaction.”

Gelphine was in deep thought, trying to wrap her head around what her sister had just said.

“Care to elaborate?” asked Corvyn, not understanding a single thing.

Elia groaned, “Okay, you know ketchup, right? It’s delicious. Goes great with fries and other foods.”

They nodded slowly.

“And then you have cucumbers. Nice juicy cucumbers.”

They nodded again.

“Now, although both are delicious, they are both terrible together. It’s downright disgustifying. Once you eat them both at the same time, you can’t help but cringe.”

They stare at her. Not saying a single comment.

Not fazed by the lack of response, Elia just continued, “The words are like that. One part can have a huge impact. Same with another. But if you combine the wrong words, you get a negative effect. If you get the right words put together perfectly, you’d receive something beautiful and tasteful.”

They stared. Blinking once. Then twice.

Elia sighed, embarrassed, “Look, I was hungry when I came up with this. The point is that if I take out syllables from the spell incantations and put them carefully together to make the correct meaning, then I might be able to create a whole new spell. A time travel spell!”

After she was done, the two of them let her words slowly sink in.

A brand new spell. A time travel spell. A spell that can take them anywhere in time.

And the one creating it…

“And would it work?” Corvyn finally asked, uncertainly.

Nervous, the witch rubbed the back of her neck and looked away, “Well, I haven’t tested it yet. There’s a probability that it might blow up in my face. Or reverse my age. Or perhaps disintegrate everything.”

Gelphine pale at the infinite possibilities. The fate of existence was in the hands of her older sister. The same sister that takes too many risks. The exact same sister that jumps out of a balcony. Who gives more heart attacks than she can count on both hands and feet.

Elia Upland-Thropp is gonna use a brand new untested spell. The thought alone was scary enough.

“... There’s nothing stopping you from doing it, isn’t there?”

“Nope!” she said, all too casual.

“Is… is that why you put all our belongings and supplies in the never-ending sack?” Corvyn asked, remembering the emptiness in the cottage as he glanced at the small sack on the couch.

A sack created to put all kinds of items. Elphaba created it to store anything in case they needed anything. Was perfect for vacations. And to hide the dangerous stuff from the kids when they were younger.

Elia went to the table, placing the Grimmerie onto the table, “Well, we are going to the past. For uncharted territory, we need to be prepared for anything.”

“And that includes the popcorn machine you shoved inside?”

She opens it, turning to page with a spell, “Like I said, anything. That includes watching drama!” and then took out a pencil with heart stickers and a sheet of paper.

Gelphine just says out a “what?” and looks at her sister with a face that says, “You’re kidding, right?”

Corvyn sighs as if willing to believe anything at this point, “I’ll just circle the perimeter in case anyone comes.” and then flew out the flap door next to the door.

“You know what?” the ghost girl says, clasping both hands and (tried) sitting down on a nearby chair, “I’ll just watch since there isn’t much I can do. But if this backfires disastrously, well, it was somewhat good knowing you as a sister.”

Elia gave an amused smirk at her, “‘Somewhat?’”

“You know what you did.”

She just rolled her eyes at her overbearing sister before she brainstormed some spells onto the blank sheet.

“And… done!” Elia exclaimed triumphantly, Holding out the piece of paper with the spell in front of her.

It took a bunch of erasing and erasing. Not to mention a lot of rethinking and more rethinking. And also many page flipping for references. But she finally did it.

The time travel spell.

It might doom them all.

But it might just be their only hope of fixing things. 

Gelphine looked at the words. To a random person, it might look like a bunch of complete gibberish. But only the select few, it’s a lost language that needed to be decipherated. And for the children of the Wicked Witch, they were part of the select few.

“Do you really think it could work?”

“Nope. But here’s trying.”

Just then out of nowhere, Corvyn came swooping inside, having disheveled feathers left behind his wake. He was flocking his wings in distress rapidly.

“Gale Force! They're coming this way! They’ve found us! They’re here for the Grimmerie!” he shrieked, catching his breath.

The sisters looked at each other. Sharing a knowing look, Elia grabbed the sack and her broom. As she tied the sack to the broom’s end, the witch girl grabbed the crow, earning a cawing yelp at the action as he was being put onto the wooden broom like a bird stand.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!*

“OPEN UP!!! WE KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE!!!”

“Shit they’re here.” Corvyn muttered.

Gelphine, scared for her bird friend and sister, stayed extremely close to their side. The ghost girl looks at her older sister with desperate and pleading eyes.

Elia ignored loud and commanding yells and orders, looking at the empty page in the Grimmerie. She instantly took out a blue pen and started writing the spell.

More banging. The door sounded like it couldn’t hold them off for now.

It was struggling for the witch. The pressure of her pen on the page layed rough. “Almost…”

“OPEN AT ONCE!!!”

Just a few more…

“Hurry!” Corvyn shouted.

Then the final word to the spell.

“DONE!” Elia exclaimed.

Relief washed over them all.

“Good! Now lets-”

*CRASH!!!*

The three jolted from the surprised uninvited guest.

“Nobody moves! You’re under arrest!”

Without a second thought, Elia went to the door and locked the door disregarding a clock tick. She reads the spell, words feuling her heart and soul onto her voice.

“HEY!!! OPEN THIS DOOR IMMEDIATELY!!!!”

“We don’t have much time!”

“EL!”

Emotions clashed within her. Fear. Protectiveness. Anxiety. Pressure. Anger. Guilt. Grief. Sorrow. Longing. Mixed deep inside and thrusted into her words.

The more the emotion, the stronger the spell.

Like her mothers taught her.

*Flash!*

… It worked.

All three of them couldn’t believe their eyes. In front of them was a large white, blue, purple, and pink portal, flickering with static and sparks. It was unlike anything they have ever seen!

From inside, you could hear voices. Voices throughout time !

It was amazing. Extravagant! Beautiful !

“WE’RE WARNING YOU!! OPEN THE DOOR OR WE’LL DO IT OURSELVES!!!”

And that was their cue!

Gelphine looked at her older sister, “Are you ready?”

Elia just smiled, “Who do you think I am?”

Without warning, second thoughts, or doubts. All three of them stepped inside, sucking them in like a void.

They were gone.

Just in time for the portal to close and the Gale Force to barge in, only to find nothing.

Never to come back.

Chapter Text

*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.

Chapter Text

You might think that Elia was happy to be back would probably be accurate. If you were to think she might be nervous to be in Shiz would be understandable. If you might think that there might be a slight possibility that she’s upset would also be an option. Something like this would give out multiple emotions to different people, whether from experience or personality wise.

But to answer how the Wicked Child of the Witch was feeling, being back at Shiz again, well… she wasn’t exactly sure if what she was feeling was positive or negative.

Don’t get her wrong, she was glad to be back and learning again. Maybe not as excited as Gelphine but grateful to continue her education. But her experience in Shiz was… not great. Not great at all. And Elia would prefer to not be reminded once again. Especially the shallow students who gossip and worry about status. Too bad she’ll have to endure the shallowness once again.

Which was why she insisted on a private dorm to reside in and no roommates. Elia wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Besides, the three of them needed a place to lay low and stay inconspicuous while also planning ahead without anyone knowing. And it wasn’t like they were gonna stay in this timeline for long.

But unlike her previous college experience, Elia was going to do things differently. The not now green girl wasn’t going to be the girl who was a fool to avoid and mind her own business like before. Rather, she’d be the girl to rise above. To gain more. To achieve.

What better way to gain followers than play the part of the person who provides attention, fame, guidance, and elusive allure? To play the part of the charming character that people can’t help but be smitten about. To give guidance simply because people are too blind to see.

Though, Elia wishes she could show her true form while doing so. She loved her green fair skin and loved how it was a part of her. Though, selfish people don’t really see it that way. They only think of it as disgusting. Maybe that’s why people at school always seemed conflicted about her charm. Though, it always confuses the witch girl.

Afterall, Momsie always said that she looked heavenly adorable cause she was green…

No, no, not going there.

Elia diverted her state of mind to something different to distract herself as walking around while unsuspecting students pass by without a care in the world was practically boring. Like for instance the all too giddy ghost sister of hers looking around with wide stars for pupils at the place that was education.

“You’re looking at the architecture as if it was an art museum.”

Gelphine turned her head and either way she was still excited about it all, “It’s college, El! I’m actually in college! Isn’t it just wonderful?”

Elia simply rolled her eyes affectionately, “Technically, I’m going to college.”

The ghost girl sighed at the reminder. But it didn’t stop her good mood. “But still, I’ll actually get to be learning! What majors do you think they’ll have? Oh! The library! What new and intriguing books might be there to explore?! Oh, just the rich history of this place sends me high. Do you think that there might be-”

The wicked girl, without uncertainty, droned out her sister’s long and boring rambles. Elia loved her sister for being passionate about learning, she really did like the flare in Gelphine’s eyes at the challenge of knowledge. But sometimes it’s a lot. She doesn’t want to listen to a full blown explanation about the fundamentals of the learning experience.

Well, too bad Elia would be the only person to really hear Gelphine’s passionate talks. A truly tragic fate which the Wicked girl placed upon her…

“El? Elia, you’re doing it again.”

“Huh?” Elia snapped out her daze and looked at Gelphine’s worried gaze, “What again?”

The ghost girl’s expression seemed to say that she wanted to point it out, a precise sibling worry that was putting away Gelphine’s previous joy. But she just says “Nevermind…”

Okay…?

But still, Elia did have to admit that understands her sister’s excitement of being here. Just with more nostalgia. She couldn’t help but take in the deja vu of reliving her first day. The excited crowds of chattering students, the fresh breeze of new learning opportunities, Momsie’s very loud and melodic singing voice. Everything just felt-

Wait… what…?

Like a dear startling at any sound, Elia immediately looked at the person singing a very symphonic solo. She was a blonde and seemed to be standing out the most in the crowd with not only her harmonious voice but also her fancy pink clothing. Mostly everyone was enchanted.

It was Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands.

The most popular in all of Shiz.

Would one day be known as Glinda the Good Witch.

And more importantly to Elia and Gelphine than all of those titles, their overprotective and loving Momsie.

Elia’s brown and unbelieving eyes almost felt wet. It felt as if she were a small child crying for their mommy. And in which in this case was exactly that. She wanted her Momsie. Oh so badly did she want her now.

It couldn’t be… it shouldn’t…

“... Momsie…?”

“Momsie…. No no, please-!”

“I’ll always love you…”

“NO!”

The sounds of horrified gasp of screaming took the witch girl out of her petrified state of grieving memories that suffocated her head with fault by the shocked sounds that came from various students, including Galinda. To what was-

“What…?”

Elia inhaled a sharp breath at another familiar sound. If Galinda is here than-

“... Go…”

“El-”

“I said go already!!!”

Why… why why why why why why why why why why WHY -

Elia stopped herself from that train of thought. She’ll get herself nowhere if she thinks like that. This wasn’t the time to wallow in sorrows of the past. It was time to observe.

The witch girl glanced at her dead sister, wondering what she might be thinking. Gelphine was frozen in her transparent state as she was also floating still on the sight before her, eyes bulging wide with full of sadness and grieving of her own. If Gelphine was alive, she’d be crying tears by now that she wouldn’t be able to hold in.

The sight that the sisters were seeing as well as the judgemental students of Shiz was in the form of a green skinned girl dressed in all black. With her round glasses and black hair that was formed into a braid. Not to mention striking green eyes.

Elphaba Thropp.

Would one day be known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

The most feared in all of Oz.

Who’s been outcasted by many.

Elia and Gelphine’s dear mother.

“Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

Elphaba turned her body around and the students from her line of sight backed away as if eying her would make her bite.

“No, I am not seasick.”

That’s stupid.

“No, I did not eat grass as a child.”

That sounds even more stupid.

“And yes, I’ve always been green.”

Damn right she is!

It was fairly amusing to Elia how the students kept their distance. Though, such fools they are to judge so quickly for the color of skin. If anything, being unique was amazing. Elia loved her verdigris and was sad she couldn’t show it off. Why fit in when you can stand out? These students don’t know better.

And sadly, momsie was once like them once upon a time.

“Well, I for one am… so sorry. That you have been forced to live with…” Galinda was contemplating on how to describe Elphaba’s predicament, “This.”

Gelphine knew the meaning of those words. They always made her blood boil when it was told to her. How they were sorry that she, someone with normal skin, had to live with family such as hers. She always hated it.

But hearing her momsie say it like that was making her disappointed. Whether young and naive or not.

Elphaba seemed just as done with the blonde woman as she was, “Is that so?”

To both of their dismay, Galinda didn’t notice.

“Yes!” Galinda turned to the other students with a beaming smile of pride, “And it is my intention. To major in sorcery.” she looked back at the green girl before her, “So if at some point, you wanted to address the um… problem.”

“Problem…” Elphaba looks down.

The sisters knew it hurt their mother deep down. To see her verdigris as a problem. To see her as a problem. Elphaba was purely putting up a front.

Being unknowingly rude, Galinda smiles brightly as if she didn’t just refer to Elphaba’s skin as an issue to get rid of. “Perhaps I can help.”

The fellow students clapped for her and complimented her for the goodness that she had just demonstrated as if she were some sort of saint. Only admiring Galinda’s so-called good act and not once sympathizing who the act was for.

Gelphine gripped her knuckles so tightly that she just might have felt it. This wasn’t something you can get rid of. And Elphaba’s green skin color wasn’t something to plainly overlook. It was a part of her. It is what made her unique. And for years and years, the green woman was always told throughout her life that who she was was a burden because people were cruel.

And Galinda was suggesting to get rid of something that was a part of her. Simply thinking of it as a cruel fate that can easily be gone and not thinking how it hurts to hear.

And to make it worse, Galinda made it all about her by posing in front of the shallow students of Shiz while flipping her hair as she bends her back a few times as she was taking pictures for the paparazzi.

To the foolish students it was eye catching and as they were aweing in delight and applauding for her.

To the people who were actually smart, it just looked weird as hell.

Elia was trying so hard not to laugh.

Gelphine diverted her attention elsewhere due to shame and embarrassment at her Momsie’s antics.

Elphaba was just looking at the scene as she was bewildered and unamused.

“Offering to help someone that you don’t know, with skills that you don’t have. I’m sure that everyone is duly impressed.” Oh, boy. Elphaba wasn’t letting it slide. She’s not impressed by Galinda’s attempt to show good at all.

And Galinda was looking at Elphaba with a hint of annoyance placated with false smiles. She did not like Elphaba’s comment and was silently seething inside.

And to the sisters, they can practically sense the tension in their veins. Goes to show when it comes to being related, I guess. You tend to notice things others don’t see.

“I could care less what others think.”

Elia and Gelphine knew that was a big lie if they ever heard one.

“Couldn’t.”

And here comes the corrections. One of the common ways to irritate someone.

And sadly for their momsie, mother was always better at grammar than her.

Galinda stared at her with her brow furrowing, “What?”

“You couldn’t care less what other people think.” Elphaba was thinking through her words and making sure it hit where it stings onto the blonde’s ego, “Though I-... I doubt that.”

The students murmur to themselves at the audacity of this mean green. To have the nerve of insulting Galinda of all people. They were wondering how cruel she was to even speak to her like that.

Galinda, sadly, was probably wondering the same thing.

Ignoring the grief stirring inside her, Elia couldn’t help but be intrigued by all of this. She heard the story before. Multiple times. But witnessing it first hand was way better.

Boy did she wish she could have made popcorn earlier.

Gelphine was pinching her brow. This right here? This was where Elia’s boldness came from.

Before another word could be spoken, a loud sound of an not so kind voice and a wheelchair rolling came into play.

“Elphaba! Elphaba Thropp!”

The students backed away to make way for the newcomers. One in a wheelchair and the other moving it into view with. 

The young woman on the wheelchair was wearing a white buttoned green coat and gray skirt. She also had fair tan skin, black curly hair, and dark eyes. She seemed to have a displeased expression on her face for some reason.

The man moving the wheelchair seems to be pretty old with his white beard and hair. He also had a black top hat and black clothing attire. He seemed to be pissed off if his face was anything to go by and tried to hide it very poorly.

“This is my younger sister Nessarose.” she walks over to them, “As you can see she’s a very perfectly acceptable color.”

Is that a good thing to say?… yeah, not.

Elia wanted to say to her mother so badly that she was also an acceptable color as well. That there was nothing wrong with being green and that it was something to admire. But desperately as she wanted, the witch girl couldn’t blow her cover.

When she sees the man, Governor Thropp she assumes, he hisses at Elphaba. He was not pleased about his older daughter’s sudden commotion.

The sisters never met the man but they already wanted him to plummet into a pit at first sight.

Not wanting to gaze upon the horrid man anymore than she had to, the hidden green girl placed her sight onto the pink blonde. She tried so hard not to laugh at her momsie’s flabbergasted face. And to make it even more interesting, the look in her eyes told her that Galinda was not only confused but rather intrigued by the green girl and had a mixture of doubting complexion and a hint of curiosity.

And their mother, she was watching her sister being gifted their mother’s shoes by a loving father who doesn’t even care a single thing about his other daughter other than that she was a disgrace. But Elphaba was happy for her sister, like any other older sibling would.

They both were… young. So very young.

“Did… did that really just happen?” she hears her sister mutter, shocked about what had just occurred before.

After all, not everyone gets a chance to witness their parent’s first meeting.

Elia, conflicted yet intrigued, only nodded. She wasn’t sure if this was good to see them again or bad that she felt like crying for them. Both maybe?

They both just saw their parents. Their mothers. All young, healthy, and not dead. Not even a single hint of the cruel life they had to endure. They… have no idea what’s in store for them in the future.

The wicked child, pretend as she might no matter how much she hated it:

She felt like crying like when she was young again.

They both didn’t say anything once Elia got to her seat. They didn’t utter a single thing about what had happened back there. Reason being that talking about it in public would make them upset and it’d be weird to see someone talking to thin air.

Corvyn was on stage with the animal staff of Shiz. After talking with Professor Dillamond, he notices the expressionless face of his long term friend and ally. He knew why she was like that. With a green girl shifting to the crowd and a noticeable pink blonde at the seats, of course she’d be stuck in her own head.

Gelphine, once happy mood changed to sorrow, looked at Galinda who had so much anticipation and content for her year at Shiz. The sight only made her more sad. So instead she looked at her sister.

Elia was in a daze again. But not a good one. She’s way in over her head with everything going on and what would go on. Now that her parents, younger and having no idea, are here then it would mean they’ll be getting involved.

The witch girl should have anticipated this. Should have predicted this. Should have been prepared for this. 

But perhaps… she might’ve. But… just the thought of them made her hold gallons of salty tears.

But… they’re not the people they grew up with. Not yet at least. Only who they once were. Who never experienced what they’ll experience soon. Who never… experience the truth yet.

They’re not their parents… not yet at least. But still…

“You know, except for our wonderful wizard-”

Oh right… Him .

Elia can’t seem to get rid of him. He never met him but the stories of how much of a hard time for her mother when being chased… not to mention the fraud he was… and to make matters worse is that his picture was even in the architecture in front of her.

‘Oh, if he was here…. I’d be pummeling him to the ground until he stays there permanently.’

Elia sucked in her breath. Pupils dilated at her earlier thoughts.

‘Oh no…. Not again… not here…’

And to make matters worse:

“... Madame Morrible!”

…. Fuck….

Walking down to the stage with all the clapping and adoring students was her . Not yet to be old and shriveled. The woman that caused hell. The woman conspiring with the fraud. The woman that took everything .

And on stage right now she was. Horrendible Morrible. A powerful sorceress yet cruel human being. Powerful yet a woman of lies and false kindness.

And to Elia’s endless rage, the bitch was being applauded and not feared. The woman was younger and more annoying. Not a single ounce of Elia’s meddling etched her face. She didn’t have a care in that evil head of hers.

She can’t believe she’s suggesting this horrid thought but… she likes old hag Morrible better than this .

‘Why isn’t she gone!? Why is she still here???!!! She needs to be gone! She needs to be dead!!! She needs to suffer!!!! SHE NEEDS TO DIE!!!!’

You have got to be kidding…

With all that was happening, her hands seemed to spark up something. Her hands were burning for her fury. Obeying it. Commanded to spark flames .

Her magic….

No no nonono-

“El.”

Elia looked at her sister, ignoring everything going on and not listening to a single thing that damn bitch was saying. Gelphine knew she wanted her gone. But her expression and eyes told her that it’s not the right time. Not the time to act now. Not the time to act like a child and start a tantrum.

Elia knew she was right.

The bitch will get her karma. Soon she’d face trial for all that she had done. Not now…

But soon.

Once the two of them calmed down, they noticed that the students were already out searching for their dorm room numbers. They got up and-

Elia sees the sight of Galinda walking over to Morrible. The sight sets off a lot of alarms.

‘GET AWAY… GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER…’

Nope. Deep breath in. And then deep breath out. Don't fuck this up.

Can’t afford to fuck it all up again.

To the witch girl's relief, Morrible was already done with her and was immediately picking up her pace to get away from the blonde for her. Elia didn’t know if she should be happy that the bitch was not around her momsie or pissed off that she discarded Galinda like she was nothing. Both?

Either way, at least Galinda is not within Morrible’s proximity because the longer she was around her, the more she wanted to tear the bitch apart.

Galinda’s hopeful and unaware face was not helping her aching heart at all, either.

But hey, at least the voices were gone. Now all she had to do was get her dorm room number (Even though she has a private dorm, she still can’t remember where it was. Such things seem menial to her) and get the fuck out of here without doing something she’ll regret big time. The longer she stayed, the more they'd come before she could do something about it.

It’s much more worse considering everyone she knew was here.

Without hesitance, she took her chance to walk to the list of dorms spread neatly organized with Gelphine hastingly tagging along. Elia needed to be quick and it was a blessing to her that she was excellent in skimming.

‘No… no… c’mon…. There!’

On the list, it says “Elia Aurelia”. It was a good thing Corvyn was the one to suggest the idea of using her middle name as her last name cause it’s much more easier to remember.

Though, Her good mood was already gone the moment she heard her mother’s voice from the distance as if on sudden instinct. Not in a bad way but-

“STOP!”

Everything around them stopped. As if time bended it’s will for her. Funny since it was Elia that was able to do just that.

“LET HER GO!!!”

The sisters haven't heard their mother this desperate since she held her wife’s bloodied body in her arms.

Chaos erupted the school campus.

Room keys were chiming as they pointed up.

The rustling of leaves became rapid.

Books floated in the air.

Branches begin to take to the sky.

Benches were moving desperately.

Trees were bending unnaturally.

The students were screaming.

The sounds of her family crying in agony.

*CRACK!!!!*

Elia can’t tell if that was the sound of thunder or the part of the school architecture being smashed.

Gelphine stare out in fear. Not of her mother. No, the events that were happening. But deep down in her ghostly form, she was just tired.

There were only two times in their life when they witnessed their mother’s magic going haywire and out of control. The first was when Glinda died. The second was when the Ozians started to accuse them.

But they never fear the magic’s power.

An ordinary person would run in fear. But Elia wasn’t ordinary at all. She didn’t run nor hide from danger. It wasn’t even the danger that made her freeze in place.

All she could think at this moment is if deja vu was a bad thing or not.

As the turmoil subsided and the benches surrounded the Thropp sisters, Nessarose looked at Elphaba with an upset and downcast face at what her older sister had just done. How it was her chance. Her new start.

Elia would think of her Nessa as selfish at that. The green woman just wanted to help. And this is what she got in return? For someone who was told all her life about her aunt, the hidden witch was already disappointed in the wheeled girl’s first impression.

But she wasn’t thinking that. She would, but not at the moment.

All the wicked child sees is her and Meadow arguing.

“Magic… is merely the mind’s attempt to wrap itself around the impossible!”

Urgh, great…

To Elia’s indignation, the bitch was still around, “Yes, that is me.” said the puppeteer, throwing her arms up at the damaged display as she took the credit, “To prepare you to expect the unexpected here at Shiz.”

The witch girl just scoffed to herself discreetly. As if Morrible could be capable of doing something this powerful. Only in her dreams. Better yet, nightmares.

Her smile and the student’s awe while they applauded were only making her more angrier than possible.

‘Kill…’

“And speaking,” Morrible was approaching Elphaba now, “Of the unexpected.”

Oh no…. Oh shit…

Her least favorite part.

“Which of you would volunteer? To share a room with-”

Galinda was intervening between them by tripping over the benches.

Okay, she just liked this part.

“Ow ow.” Galinda got up from the ground and raised her hand, smiling enthusiastically while misinterpreting what the sorcerous was saying, “Madame Morrible, um…”

Morrible just smiles to which the sisters think fake, “Thank you dear, that is very good of you.”

Galinda’s own smile faltered, looking at the magic teacher in bewilderment, “What?”

Despite Morrible being present, Elia couldn’t help but find her momsie’s predicament that she landed herself in being all but too hilarious. It sure helped the witch girl’s tense nerves.

“Miss?” Morrible addressed Elphaba, making Elia’s stomach twist unpleasantly.

“Elphaba,” the green woman answered.

“Elphaba,” hearing Morrible say her mother’s name just made her blood boil, “You can room with Miss Galinda.”

That certainly gave both of her past parents a shocker. Galinda was starting to realize what she had done and Elphaba was already protesting but Morrible’s idea was already made up as she turned to encourage the students to go.

Galinda and Elphaba were looking at each other, all awkward and distrustful of one another.

Though Morrible was still around, Gelphine couldn’t help but smile at her mothers. Even though this was before her parents got along, she can’t help but see them at this moment right now. To witness the start of their story that she so loved. The ghost looked at her sister, and gave her a deadpanned look as Elia was trying hard not to laugh at the newly two not-so-pleased roommates.

Though their good mood soon turned sour as Morrible turned around and said “And you. Come with me.”

They knew what came next.

They hated it. Even more when Galinda became hopeful. And Elphaba had no idea.

No idea at all.

“Of course,” an enthusiastic yet unaware Galinda replied, about to walk towards the bitch til Morrible raised her hand to stop.

“Not you.”

Either way, whether it was either of them, both outcomes won’t be good.

“You.” The sorcerous teacher addressed Elphaba, much to not only Galinda’s misfortune, but to the Upland-Thropp sister’s overcoming grief and fear.

They hate this part so much.

As much as they wanted to stop it, Elphaba complied and walked with the woman. They couldn’t do anything about it at all. They can’t interfere with this. But it was just so hard. The more Morrible talked about how she’ll teach Elphaba privately while wrapping arm around her, the more negative they both grew.

They could do no such thing to stop their mother from walking along with the horrendible old woman.

However, Gelphine’s attention soon turned to Galinda once two of the students (They were Pfannee and Shenshen, Gelphine recalled. She never met them but Glinda often mentioned them a few times) who were worried about the blonde’s shocked state aske what had happened.

“Something is… very wrong,” Galinda was right about that, but that wasn’t what she was talking about. Her composure was shaken as she said “I didn’t get my way.”

Gelphine’s disappointment grew immensely at this. It got more worse once her disappointment turned to embarrassment once Pfannee and Shenshen were trying to carry her stiffen form while asking for a pastry. Just… why…?

Elia wasn’t focussing on that. If she would, she’d be laughing her ass off. But she paying more close regard to the direction Morrible and Elphaba had taken off to.

Her dark thoughts kept swirling.

‘No… no! You fool she was just there and you let her leave with-’

She needed to get out of here.

Immediately, the witch girl hastingly sprinted to her dorm room and ignored her sister’s calling her name.

Elia wanted- no, needed to leave.

She needs it to go away.

Luckily, the path to her room wasn’t that hard to locate as it turned out it was actually next to her mothers dorm. Right next to Galinda’s, no longer, private suite.

As she was in front of the door, Elia was now rummaging through her pocket for the dorm key that she swiped on her way out. She was in such a rush that she jammed the key and slammed the door open.

Elia was already inside the bathroom and locked it as more thoughts consumed her head. And not good ones at all.

‘Real pathetic to run, huh?’

The witch girl leaned to the sink. She was clutching onto the counter hard it hurt. It was dark and Elia didn’t even pay much attention to turning on the lights. But somehow she could still see her reflection gazing back at her.

She hated how distressed the person on the other side was showing.

‘What, too scared of the person you are?’

Elia was freaking shaking.

She didn’t like this.

She didn’t like any of this .

‘Oh Elia. Always way in over your head.’

They’re not right.

The voices are not right.

Elia keeps trying to say this to herself, begging to make it stop.

But she’ll never escape.

Not anytime soon.

‘You may say you're smart-’

Gelphine’s saddened ghost-

Stop.

‘And clever-’

Sonia’s dancing-

Just stop.

‘But really, you’re still foolish just like everyone else.’

‘Nothing you can do to change things.’

Alone… no one understands-

Shut up.

Shut the hell up!

‘Mel always said you were a freak.’

Laughing-

Don’t remind-

‘And Meadow was right.’

Meadow’s angry-

Stop, please-!

‘No matter how smart you are-’

Her momsie’s bright bloody smile-

Don’t-

‘Or clever you can be-’

Felici and Venrick’s going to their deaths-

Shut-

‘You can’t save them.’

‘They're gone.’

One big happy family-

Please, please-

‘You’d always be a foolish-’

Liir smiling at his death-

Don’t finish-

‘Selfish-’

Her mother’s hurt gaze-

No- 

‘C-’

Before the dark thoughts could even finish that sentence, Elia quickly pulled something out of her pocket, taking something small out from the inside and swallowing it up with a big gulp.

Slowly. The thoughts finally vanish. No more did they haunt. No more did they consume. No more visions of the past can claw their way to clutch her cruelly. She was finally free for only a moment.

Finally… 

Elia can finally relax.

… but still…

It didn’t stop her tears from flowing.

It didn’t stop her from collapsing to the porcelain floor.

Elia can’t help but cry her heart out. Can’t help but miss it all. Can’t help but be reminded of how much she failed.

She was always strong.

Always play out her cards.

Always setting the stage.

But deep down, she felt hopeless.

She felt like a failure.

She felt grief.

She felt foolish.

She felt like she could break down at any moment. Yet still hide it all.

She was a good performer.

But worse… Elia felt like a child.

She felt like a child for wanting to run to her mothers arms and cry, wishing to never let go.

She felt like wanting anything more than to have playful banter with her siblings.

She felt like messing around with her friends, enjoying the amusement in it.

She felt like wanting to take in the fresh air and not having a single care in the world, to take release in freedom.

She felt like wanting to be a girl in love. A girl wanting nothing more than to say sweet things for her girlfriend. To want to go on dates, do nice things, and sing loving songs to the love of her life.

But… she can’t.

It’s all gone. It all slipped away from her hands.

Elia felt useless. Sitting there, letting go of that pill bottle. Useless in not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to deal with… everything .

She hates it… hates it all.

And… All she could do at this moment was cry.

Like a child.