I'm Not Wicked

Part Fourteen

In the beginning, when Madam Morrible first heard that the daughter of her two biggest enemies was coming to Aurodon, her grand plan was to turn her against them. Maybe even take her under her wing, as she'd tried to do with Miss Elphaba. How heroic she was going to be, rescuing her from her corrupt, manipulative mother and father.

But alas, the girl took after her mother in more ways than she thought. Now, she had a different plan; if Eleanor wouldn't join her willingly, she'd put her in a position where she'd have no other choice.

(Oh, don't worry, I won't ruin the surprise.)

At the moment, she was sneaking back into her old office. The only wrinkle in her plan was a buffoon in a top hat.

"Madam Morrible!" The Wizard greeted, jumping slightly.

Of course, The Wonderful Wizard himself was casually sitting in her office chair, reading a book which he quickly shoved into a drawer as she walked in.

"What, prey tale, are you doing back?" The Wizard asked, composing himself slightly.

"I just came to think," Madam Morrible answered, silently wishing she could strike the man down with lightning right then and there.

"Uh-huh," The Wizard hummed, "Silly me, I wouldn't guessed you were here to get all these spell books you left behind."

With a gloved hand, he gestured to five books he'd stacked up and placed in the corner of the room.

Madam Morrible stayed sill, holding her breath, for what felt like an hour, waiting to see if The Wizard was smart enough to have read the foolishly (and clearly) marked pages of her books.

To her surprise, The Wizard got up from his seat and pointed a now accusatory finger at the book pile, "What are you planning?"

"That's non of your concern, and anyway, last I checked, you don't have the means to stop me." Madam Morrible stated, taunting him slightly.

Sure, this could be a bit of a setback, but she couldn't let this nitwit know he held any ounce of power in the situation. She just needed him to keep his mouth shut.

"I may not have magic, but I'm not letting you hurt my granddaughter." The Wizard swore, an unexpected glint of anger in his eyes.

He couldn't...he didn't protect Elphaba. He did the wrong thing. This was his chance to make amends. He wasn't letting Eleanor face the same fate of either of her parents.

"Is that so? You think Miss Elphaba will ever forgive you?" Madam Morrible asked with a sinister expression of put on empathy.

The Wizard flinched like he'd been physically punched, swallowing hard before answering, "No, I don't. I don't expect her forgiveness. I don't deserve it." He managed, looking close to tears, quickly pulling himself together when he caught sight of Madam Morrible's expression.

"Well then, give me my books and I'll be on my way." Madam Morrible promised, holding out her hands.

Silently, The Wizard grabbed the stack of books, but before he gave them back, he stated, "In case you were curious, yes, I read them." The strength had returned to his voice.

"Doesn't matter," Madam Morrible said airily, trying to hide her growing nerves, "Miss Eleanor won't believe you."

With that, she headed for the door.

"Of course she wouldn't! At least, not without proof." The Wizard stated, making Madam Morrible stop dead in her tracks and turn back towards him, mortified to see one of those little electronic devices in his hand, "You're right, I don't have magic, but I do have technology."

Now this was a problem.

"I've already sent an email with all of these pictures to Glinda, requesting she forward them to Miss Gabriela." The Wizard explained with a chuckle, knowing he might as well have been speaking a different language.

Madam Morrible was furious; how could this fraud of a "Wizard" get the upper hand?

As she stormed out, she could find comfort in one thing-one girl. A girl who already held a grudge against Mal, and with a slight push, was going to help her get her revenge. A girl who at this very moment was stealing Maleficent's staff.

Thank goodness for Miss Audrey.