Chapter 1
It was around midnight. The already pitch black sky is made darker by storm clouds. Thunder rumbled overhead and lightning struck in the distance. None of this bothered the man as he calmly strode up a walkway. Trees surrounded the cement path on both sides, thick oaks that nearly touched the sky. Behind him was an iron gate to which he simply climbed. Ahead was a large and lavish mansion.
The short path led to the front door of the Governor of Munchkinland's home. Then knocked on the front door, a moment later it's opened by a beautiful woman with gorgeous features and a voluptuous figure.
“Oscar,” the woman says in a harsh whisper, her voice carrying frustration and a hint of relief. “It's about time.”
“I apologize, Melena,” the man, Oscar Diggs, says smoothly. He glances down and notices a small bundle in the arms of the governor's wife. A baby. “Bad weather. I didn't realize you were so urgent to see me.”
The small bundle in Melena's arms cries softly. The blanket wrapped around the baby slips, revealing green skin. Oscar's eyes widened in shock.
“It's yours.” Melene says shortly, not even waiting for him to acknowledge her words before shoving the green baby into Oscar's arms. “I can't take care of her, it's far too obvious that she is not Frexspar's.”
“Ah yes, wouldn't want his, or your, reputation tarnished, now would we?” Oscar says sarcastically, cradling his little green daughter with a surprising amount of tenderness. He looks down at the little baby, her smooth green skin reminding him of an Emerald.
“Oh hush,” Melena says scathingly, “You know as well as I how important reputation is in politics.”
Oscar rolls her eyes, still gently holding the baby to his chest. “Yes of course. Worry not, I'll care for her. What is her name?”
“Elphaba.” Melena says, looking at the baby-Elphaba-with disdain. “Now leave. You'll find an envelope in her blanket with enough money to last you both a week.”
“How generous of you.” Oscar remarks dryly, looking down at Elphaba, his daughter, with tender love. He's only just met the girl, yet he's already filled with an intense fatherly love for her.
Melena glares at him coldly. Oscar takes that as his cue to leave. He nods his head to her and steps back.
“I wish you well,” he says with a cold politeness before turning and walking back down the pathway. He doesn't look back as the door slams shut behind him.
The noise, unfortunately, disturbs little Elphaba from her slumber. The baby wakes and starts crying immediately.
Oscar gently rocks her in his arms as he walks through the town, returning to the hotel he had been staying at.
“Hush, hush now my dear. Your father is here now, I've got you. I won't let you go.” He murmurs soothingly to his child.
Soon, Elphaba begins to settle in his arms. She sucks her thumb and looks up at him with wide eyes.
Endeared, Oscar gently strokes her cheek with his thumb.
“Fear not, my little emerald.” He whispers softly. “I will protect you.”
It was at that moment that Oscar decided he would give the world to his daughter. All of Oz. No longer would he spend hours searching unsuccessfully for a way home. Instead he would care and protect Elphaba. He would build an empire here in Oz, he would become powerful and do whatever it takes to give his little Emerald the best. Oscar Diggs has always been an ambitious and greedy man after all, with little to no morals. He'd do anything, anything, to get what he wanted.
And right now, he wants to give Elphaba the best life. What better way to provide for a child than to make them royalty?
----End Prologue----
8 years later.
Oscar, now known as the Wizard, walks through the halls of the newly built Emerald Palace. He held Elphaba's hand, leading his little 8 year old through their new home.
The little green girl looked around the shiny green walls in wonder and awe. Everything looked to be made of green material. Shiny and smooth, too dull to be gems but too shiny to be metal. Windows lined the walls which showcased the magnificent view of the Emerald City and beyond.
“Do we live here now, daddy?” She asks, her voice a breathless whisper as if the extravagance is enough to take her breath away.
“Yes, my darling.” The Wizard smiles gently down at his daughter. “This is our home now. This is where I- we will rule all of Oz.”
Being young and naive, Elphaba doesn't catch the slip up in her father's words. She is unaware of the terrible things Oscar has done to get them where they are. Unaware of his dark nature.
“Whoa,” she gasps, pulling away from his hand and running to a window. They are high up in the palace, so the view outside is gorgeous. Elphaba can see all of Emerald City from here, and some of the land beyond its gates.
The Wizard chuckles fondly at his little emerald's amazement.
“Quite the view, wouldn't you agree?” He speaks softly, walking up behind her and kneeling down to be at her height. Oscar gently rests a hand on her thick black hair, petting her head softly.
“Yah!” Elphaba whispers. She looks up at her father with her beautiful, dark eyes. “It's like a fairytale!”
“It is indeed,” the Wizard muses with a tender look as he gazes at her. “but then that would make you a princess, wouldn't it?”
“Oooh, yes!” Elphaba beams up at him.
Unable to resist the sheer cuteness of his little girl, the Wizard picks up Elphaba and props her on his hip. He gently kisses her forehead and continues down the hall.
“Well then I guess that makes you my little princess.” Oscar whispers gently to her.
Elphaba wraps her little arms around his neck in instinct, and tucks her head under his chin. The rest of the walk is silent till they reach their destination.
They enter a large room. At the back wall is a large curtain made of chopped up green fabric. Elphaba can faintly see a large, bronze head through the curtains.
“What's that, daddy?” Elphaba asks Oscar curiously as he gently puts her down.
“A mechanical head,” the Wizard says simply. “To impress and intimidate people who come to see me.”
“Why do you want to intimidate people, daddy?” the little green girl asks curiously.
“So they will listen and obey me.” the Wizard says. He gently puts her down and kneels to her height. “My rule is new, and can be easily broken. So I must scare people into obedience. They believe me to be a great and powerful wizard, so I will use that to my advantage.”
Elphaba’s brow furrows. She tilts her head at Oscar. “Isn’t that mean?”
“It may seem like that at first,” the Wizard says slowly, “but this is what has to be done so that I can keep you safe and stay in power. So that Oz will remain politically stable.”
“So…” Elphaba says slowly, her young mind trying to wrap around his words. “You have to be mean…to help people?”
“Precisely, my darling.” Oscar smiles at her, glad she’s starting to understand. The Wizard knows he’s a bad man and that he did terrible things to get in power, he also knows that his little emerald will one day find out, so manipulating her at a young age to trust his methods is his best option.
Before Elphaba can say anything else, the doors open by one of the Wizard’s monkey guards, and an older Gillikin woman walks in. Madame Morrible, just who he wanted to see.
“Elphaba, dear,” the Wizard says gently to Elphaba, “Please go with Chistery to your room, I need to speak with this woman.”`
Elphaba slowly nods and follows the primate guard out of the room. The doors fall shut behind her. Instantly, the Wizard’s soft exterior fades away into that of a cold and calculating man.
“Thank you for coming, Madame Morrible.” the Wizard says in a polite tone.
“Of course, your Ozness.” the Gillikin woman says, nodding her head in respect.
Oscar wasn’t fooled by her polite demeanor. She was a person much like himself, she craved power and a good position in society. The Wizard could give her both, but she would have to serve him in return.
“I’ve requested your presence for a simple reason.” The Wizard says calmly, placing his hands behind his back. “I need your expertise.”
“Oh?” Madame Morrible raises a single brow. “I take it you need more magic favors.”
“Yes,” The Wizard sighs. So far, Madame Morrible was the only one who knew he couldn’t actually read the Grimmerie, but the woman knew better than to expose him. He could still harm her, after all. “I need you to cause a drought all throughout Oz.”
“Why?”
“Because,” The Wizard says smoothly with a cruel look in his eyes. “I need the people of Oz to be brought down a peg or two. They need to know that I am their leader now, and thus I am the only one who can help them.”
He takes a few steps forward. “The drought will cause them to suffer, a few may even die. But it will be me, and you, who save them. They will never think to doubt the two most powerful magic users again. Doesn’t that sound nice?” He purrs.
Madame Morrible is silent as she thinks over his words. It would be unwise to refuse him, and by accepting the Wizard’s offer, she’d be made out as a savior to the people of Oz. Her future would be secured.
“Alright,” she says “I accept.”
A cold grin split across the Wizard’s face. He has a dangerously sinister gleam in his eyes. “Splendid.”