The Space Between: Beginnings

1. The Isle of the Lost

Elphaba felt a strange tremor as she waited below the trapdoor. She groaned as she hauled herself to her knees and pushed the trapdoor up. There didn't seem to be anyone there. She eased herself out of the cramped space into her tower room and looked out. The place looked...dark. And overcast. And filthy, not that she cared about that. After all, she had grown up in Quadling Country and spent over five years in the slums of the Emerald City. At thirty nine, she genuinely felt beaten down.

But this didn't have anything to do with her age, did it? Somehow, she felt as though all her magic had been sucked out of her. She tried to cast a spell; much to her horror, it didn't work. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing quietly. Without her magic, her title held no meaning. She was just a green-skinned monstrosity. She sobbed into her hands, not caring about the burns that her tears left on her skin. Coming back to Kiamo Ko had been a bad idea. Even if she had been the one to suggest it, not Fiyero. And he wasn't there, even.

She felt the swishing of a pair of wings as Chistery perched upon her shoulder. She sighed and said, "Oh, Chistery, what are we to do now? It's like I'm in Southstairs. Except it's worse than Southstairs because there's no way out of here. And I have no magic to help me. Can you suggest a way out for me?"

Chistery just babbled incomprehensibly. Elphaba smiled ruefully. She stood up. She surveyed her room, and realised that her hat, dress, broom and crystal ball were gone. But at least she had the Grimmerie. She wrapped up the spellbook and walked out, intending to clear her head. Chistery flew around her.

Lost in her thoughts, she bumped into a strange woman. Dressed in purplish-black, bat like robes, and eyes that were cold and black. Like empty tunnels of ice. But, something about the woman reminded her of someone she used to know and love. But she had no more love left for that woman- she had betrayed Elphaba, after all. The strange woman asked her, "So, I take it that they say you're a villain too?"

Elphaba narrowed her eyes and said, "It depends upon whom you ask. But most people would tell you I am one. They used to call me the wickedest witch of all back in Oz. Speaking of which, where am I?"

"You are on the Isle of the Lost. They've imprisoned all of us villains here...hold up, are you really a witch?"

"I used to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Though I can't call myself a witch anymore, since I technically don't have my powers anymore, even if I still have my spellbook. The name's Elphaba, by the way. Elphaba Thropp. And you would be?"

"Oh, I like your name. It oozes darkness. I happen to be the Mistress of All Evil. Maleficent is the name. And don't you worry, dearie, none of us can use our powers here."

"There are other villains here too?"

"Yes, dearie. But, unfortunately, none of them is trustworthy enough to rule this Isle alongside me. Unless you would be willing to do so."

"Well, I did technically rule the Vinkus for seven years. And then there was the entire Eminent Thropp issue. But I'm not sure if-"

"No worries, dearie. I'll show you the ropes. I feel as though I can trust you."

"Alright then. I am ready," Elphaba smirked malevolently. Maleficent asked her, "So that flying monkey-"

"Chistery? Oh, there are others like him. Created by Science and a spell.  From this very book, in fact. I failed so many times until I hit upon the right combination, but hey, I made it work!"

"I promise you, I can see that. And since you seem to have knowledge of Science, you will be more than an asset," Maleficent extended her hand to Elphaba. Elphaba gripped her hand.
***
Three months had passed since her initial meeting with Maleficent. The two former witches had struck up quite the bond. Of late though, Elphaba had been feeling really fatigued. And she had noticed something similar with Maleficent. Although Maleficent had also been violently sick lately.

That had prompted Elphaba to dig through all her Life Sciences textbooks for a hint. Medical aid was the last thing the Isle would have. And Maleficent didn't have anything stocked up at home either. Mood swings, headaches, nausea, mild cramps, fatigue...were they both pregnant? Wasn't she too old to have children? What if her baby was defective? What if her new friend's was, too? Neither of them were young to begin with.

She knocked on Maleficent's door and asked, "Uh, Maleficent, I have something to tell you?"

"What?" Maleficent snapped, from the other side.

"It's something to do with you. With both of us, actually," Elphaba said, biting her lip. "I...I looked up our shared symptoms. And I...I think we're both pregnant."

"Don't. Lie. To. Me," Maleficent hissed. "That puny human..."

"I don't lie, Maleficent. And I'm completely sure of this. I don't like it any more than you do."

"I wish I could believe you," Maleficent sighed.

"And I wish I could prove it, but you know magic doesn't work in this Ozforsaken place," Elphaba said, chuckling slightly. "All I can hope for is that you'll be with me. We'll try to stand by each other. We're in this together. As far as I can judge, we're both equally far along. We can do this. Think of this as a way to propagate evil. Long live evil."

"Long live evil," Maleficent replied. Elphaba smiled at Maleficent's taciturn approval. They would make it through. She would do what she could. For both of them. Hang her old lover. She had a new future to look forward to. On the Isle. With Maleficent. Maybe this was her chance to be truly wicked, for once.