The Rise of The Animal Defense Force

Attack!

Elphaba and Glinda flew west towards the Emerald City with a steady tailwind helping them on their way. The Animal Defense Force was following them on horseback. Glinda never got sick of the pure rush of adrenaline that flooded through her and Elphaba  whenever they leapt off a balcony or windowsill into the air, leaving the ground and all responsibilities behind them. Elphaba sent a small thought of gratitude towards the Wizard and Madame Morrible, without whom she would never have learnt that levitation spell. Defying gravity wasn't just a convenient form of transport, it also helped to inspire the freedom fighters involved in the Animal resistance.

Elphaba leant forward over the broom handle and descended through a cloud-bank. One of the guards had looked up at the sky and saw her. "THERE SHE IS, GET HER!" He yelled. All of a sudden, there was the sound of bullets flying through the air. The Animal Rights Force began to fight against the guards, eventually killing all of them. She dodged all of them, and eventually made it through the same window of the abandoned tower of the Wizard's palace that she made her spectacular exit through all those months ago. She smirked as she made her way across the dusty room. Honestly, the Gale Force guards could've at least locked the window. It was all too easy to break-in to what was supposedly a well-defended palace.

Elphaba, Glinda, and the Animal Rights Force ran down the staircase and made their way down the corridor to the Wizard's throne room. It was late, and as they predicted the place was empty and all the candles had been extinguished. The giant head of the Wizard was powered down and immobile. They studied the platform to which the mechanical Oz head was mounted, trying to find the lever to release the winged monkeys from their cages. The Animal Rights Force were on the lookout for any sign of movement.

The curtain hiding the enclosures was fully drawn, but Elphaba could hear the snuffling and snoring of the monkeys as they slept. There were so many switches and knobs, and she didn't have a clue as to which one would unlock the cage doors.

'I knew you'd be back!' The resounding voice of the Wizard's head echoed throughout the room, making her flinch. The Anti Animal Defense Force was surrounding him, ready to make a move. She gathered up her broom and held it two-handed in front of her defensively, preparing to throttle the Wizard. Glinda was twirling her wand in a threatening manner at him, while the Animal Rights Defense Force had their weapons in an attack position. 

'Just hear me out! I don't wanna harm you!' He made a move to stop her, but threw his hands up in surrender when he saw the fierce gleam in her eye.

'You have, you have harmed me!' Elphaba told him. As she was talking, Glinda had snuck out to execute her plan.

"I know that! And I regret it. Elphaba..." He stepped towards her again, but she wasn't going to let her guard down that easily.

'Stay where you are!' She commanded him. 'I'm setting those monkeys free, and if you try to interfere or call your guards–'

'I'm not going to call anyone! Truth is, I'm glad to see you again. Gets pretty lonely for me around here, I know you must get lonely too.' he said trying to gain some sympathy. She lowered the broom and leant it against the platform wall.
"You don't know the first thing about me!"

"Oh, but I do. I know the real reason you came back here. It's why everyone comes to see the Wizard. So I can grant their heart's desire."

'I don't want anything from you.' she snapped at him, impatient because she was wasting precious time. He could simply be stalling her, luring her into a false sense of security before springing a trap.

'Sure you do! You want to stop fighting, stop running. Elphaba you've been so strong through all of this. Aren't you tired of being the strong one?' he asked her, but he was laying on the sincerity a bit too thickly. Even still, she was a little moved by what he was saying. 'Wouldn't you like someone to take care of you? Please, can't we start again?'