The Rise of The Animal Defense Force

The Train Station

Galinda, Nessarose, and Boq accompanied Elphaba to the train station to see her off. She was on her way to the Emerald City, where she would meet the Wizard for the first time.

The station was busy, and the steam from the engine swirled around our ankles creating a slightly humid feel to the atmosphere.

'All aboard!' called the conductor to the station at large.

'Elphaba! I am so proud of you! I know father will be too. We're all proud aren't we?' Nessa said enthusiastically, but I was concerned about leaving her alone without my support.

'Will you be alright without me?' she asked.

'Nessa will be fine. Biq will keep her company, won't you Biq?' Galinda reassured me.

'It's Boq!' corrected Boq loudly. 'I...I can't do this anymore.' And without any further explanation he ran out of the station.

'Boq!' Nessa called after him, turning her wheelchair in the direction he had just departed.

'Nessa, maybe he just isn't the one for you.' advised Galinda.

No! He's the one, it's me that's not right. Don't worry about me, Elphaba, I'll be fine. Safe journey!' she called over her shoulder as she wheeled away to chase Boq.

'Nessa, wait!' I called out, but it was too late.

'Elphie let her go. She'll have to manage without you, we all will.' Galinda stated. I could hear the emotion clogging her throat as she spoke, and I wasn't surprised when she promptly burst into tears.

'You'll barely notice I'm gone, you have Fiyero.' Elphaba attempted to soothe her. 'Where is he anyway?' I said as my eyes searched the crowd for a glimpse of his tall frame and dark blonde hair.

'Not that I expected him to say goodbye to me.' I quickly covered my disappointment. 'I mean, we barely know each other.'

'I don't know him either.' said Galinda mournfully. 'Not anymore. He's distant and moodified, and he's been thinking which really worries me.' Her voice had risen in pitch as she confided in Elphaba.

'It all started the day Doctor Dillamond was fired. I never knew he cared so much about that old Goat.' I tamped down the small feeling of guilt that rose in my gut. Before I could say anything to Galinda, the subject of our conversation appeared at the top of the station stairs. He was gripping a bunch of flowers searching the crowd with a look of sheer desperation.

'Oh, look there he is!' Galinda said as she spotted him. 'He did come! Fiyero! Over here, dearest!'

His gaze traced a path across the station, and his expression softened when his eyes found Elphaba's. He made his way across the platform, sweeping past Galinda and presented her with the flowers in his hand.

'Elphaba, I'm so happy for you.' he said softly.

'Yes, we are both so happy for you!' Galinda said as she hooked her hand in the crook of his arm. Fiyero barely noticed her as he continued to look at me with the same intensity he had when we rescued the Lion cub.

'I've been thinking.' he said.

'Yes, I've heard.' Elphaba replied, searching for something more to say.

'About the Lion cub, and everything. I think about that day a lot.' It was funny how my thoughts echoed his just a moment earlier.

'So do I.' She told him honestly.

'Me too!' Galinda interjected. 'I think about it constantly. Poor Doctor Dillamond! It makes one want to take a stand! I've been thinking about...um...'

She could tell that Galinda was grasping for an idea, she only wanted to be included in the conversation, and to have Fiyero's full attention focused on her.

'...changing my name!' she declared. Fiyero finally broke eye contact with me at Galinda's announcement.

'Your name?' he asked.

'Why, yes! Since Doctor Dillamond had his own way of pronouncing my name, in solidarity, and to express my outrage I will henceforward no longer be known as Galinda, but as simply Glinda.'

'That's very admirable of you, Glinda.' Fiyero encouraged.

'Fiyero...' Glinda spoke softly, but Fiyero had turned back to me, and his blue eyes darkened as his gaze bore into my very soul.

'Elphaba, good luck.' Before I could think of a response, he'd spun on his heel and strode away.

'Well, there! You see?' cried Glinda as she dissolved into a bubbling mess of tears.

'Oh, don't cry, Galinda.' She put what I hoped was a comforting arm around her shoulders.

'It's Glinda now!' she choked out. 'Stupid idea, I don't even know what made me say it!'

'It doesn't matter what your name is, everyone loves you.' I tried to reassure her.

'I don't care! I want him! I don't even think he's perfect anymore, and I still want him.' she said as realisation dawned on her face. 'This must be what other people feel like. How do they bear it?'

An idea had formed in Elphaba's mind, she wanted to shield her friend from the hurt and pain she was experiencing.

'Come with me.' She said.

'Where?' Glinda asked, sniffling.

'To the Emerald City.'

'Really?' Glinda asked in a hopeful voice.