Emerald Green

“So Eve knows I’m a wicked witch.” I say.

“What! Actually that makes sense. You figure it out?” He says.

“Yes.” She says. We’ve been riding down a mostly empty yellow road for a while. In fact we haven’t passed a single person or talking tree, or anyone of any kind. This seems normal around here though. There’s isn’t much this close to the dessert.

“Take the reins.”

“Ok.” Theodore says with out question, or hesitation.

“Why?” Eve asks. Curious, inquisitive, and a little worried of the trouble I may be about to get into.

“Watch. And hopefully I won’t crash.” I say. That makes Theo worried.

“What?” He asks. I jump off the cart. My feet land on the handle of the broom. I balance well, and my magic makes up for any mistakes. I sit down on the broom flying upwards. I laugh at the excitement of it all. I try practicing side saddle, and it seems I’m a natural. I fly just a little ways above the cart. The two siblings looking up at me. I fly a little higher. The air is starting to have a chill the further we travel. The fog grows thicker. The clouds start forming. Grey at first, but the more I fly I see back clouds from above. I get a clear view of the forests. From here I can even see the endless dessert. When we get to the Black Forest I fly down. Afraid I’ll loose them under the thick branches. There is no yellow brick road here. Just a barely visible dirt path.

“Where are we delivering this again?”

“The letter said, the dark, spooky, gothic castle in construction. So I don’t think we’ll miss it.” He says. Eve looks at me. I put a finger to my lips. She nods. So she guessed my true identity, but Theodore hasn’t yet. He just thinks I’m a wicked witch, named Elphaba, with two living older sisters. He’s not the brightest fireball, but he sure is cute. He’s so sweet too. I fix one of his stray locks. I pull out a compact mirror. Fixing my hair.

“You’re beautiful.” He says taking my hand, and squeezing it.

“Both hands on the reigns. Both hands on the reigns, please.” Eve says annoyed.

“Sorry.” Theo mutters. When we get there we pass a cart filed with different kinds of black metals. It looks like the first floor’s done. With a large stair case to get there. Everything is black except for the sliver door handles, and sliver window trim.

“Hey isn’t that the flowers you got me.” The Emerald Eschscholzia are being moved in pots along with citrine ones.

“Yes.” The contuction seems to be done by mostly munchkins, and large bird like Ozians. There is also a few in yellow guard uniform. There’s three in green. Three Winkie’s.

“We’ll have to tell dad about this.” He says. We ride up to the side entrance. A munchkin says,

“State your business.”

“Dropping off apples.” Eve says.

“Enter.” We drop them off. I get a look at the decor Nessarose choose. It’s a good thing we have similar styles.

“Come on.” Theo calls. I hesitate to leave. Seeing it makes me more, ready, somehow.

“Let’s go.” I have plotting to do. I think about the normal life I’m giving us on. Something I don’t think I’ll ever want, but I don’t really have much of a choice in the matter. They want me. After all. I would have been an apple picker. I would help take care of the house. I may have decided to get married. (Something that I don’t want in this life. But perhaps in another.) I hold Theo’s hand. He will be a permanent part of my life. I see it when I look into my crystal ball, and see it when I look into his eyes. “There’s something I need to-“ I’m cut off by a scream. Eve rides faster. I get on my broom. I fly ahead. I duck behind some trees. I see people. From no particular place. Wearing no uniform dragging the Jasper’s outside.

“I’m not wicked! I’m not wicked!” Kaylin cries. They thought she’s a wicked witch? Are they stupid? She’s not even turning green.

“Our search lead us here. Do you know we’re she is?”

“Where who is?”

“The Wicked Witch of the West.”

“What!? No!”

“Take her to Oz for questioning. You know how it was traditional for witches back in the day to have apprentices. She may know more than she’s saying. Take her parents too. I want to know if there’s any wicked witches there related too.” The tree of them get put into a carriage.

“Over here. The Wicked Witch is over here!” The tree I’m hiding behind calls. I fly up. I toss a fireball at the tree traitor first. I loose the gloves.

“People of the West. I am your Queen. Any guards who still are loyal to me defend your fellow towns folk, and rescue the Jasper’s. These’s are my first orders!” I use magic to make my voice echo. I can feel the green spread a little more. I watch as guards attack in unison, including Mr. Cider. They throw spears, and ready swords. As the fight ensues I fly closer. I grab the girl first placing her on the back of my broomstick. “Hold on!” I tell her. I fly down to the wagon. I drop her off in the back.

“You ok?”

“Yes your highness.” She curtsies. “Save my parents.“

“Can you use you magic on them?” I ask. Knowing that my sisters are exceptionally powerful when it come to witches.

“I don’t want to hurt them.” Right good. “Given this is kidnapping, you should be able to do it.” I say. Glinda would have without hesitation.

“Right. I’ll try.” There’s a bright flash of blinding light. The kidnappers are temporarily blind.

“Good work. Don’t watch this part. Theo-“ He pulls out the dagger. Nods. I fly back up. I dive. I toss a fire ball at their feet. It catches. I grab the Mr. And Mrs. And fly off before the wagon lites. There’s screams. I put them in the cart. I fly back up. Making my voice heard. “Let this be a lesson to Oz, and anyone else who stands in my way.” I say. Allowing one to get away alive. “The West’s under my control, and protection. I rule here.” They run limping. I can’t help but cackle. A wicked, villain laugh.