The Space Between: Beginnings

2. Evil Lives On

Maleficent entered the Western tower of Kiamo Ko to find Elphaba curled up on a window seat, hugging her stomach and looking out. Maleficent herself had never thought of herself as being particularly emotional or affectionate. But, here she was, feeling a peculiar attachment to the younger witch.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she could relate to the reality of being excluded and misunderstood. She had been green-skinned once. Before Prince Phillip had killed her, and she had been revived only to be imprisoned again. She realised that Elphaba must have felt that level of exclusion at some point.

But, despite all of that, there had been an odd intensity, a sort of fire to Elphaba's eyes that Maleficent had rarely seen in any other villain. Which had defined Elphaba, and made Maleficent trust the younger witch, despite the Mistress of All Evil not normally trusting her fellow prisoners.

Which was why she was worried when she saw the vacant look in Elphaba's eyes just then. It was as though all her individuality had suddenly fizzled out. Maleficent asked her, taking care not to snap or sneer, "Miss Elphaba, are you alright?"

Elphaba blinked a couple of times, as though she was coming up from a deep pool or from somewhere really far away. She replied, in a voice much softer than usual, "What? Oh, I...I'm okay. Just got lost in thought, that's all."

"I don't think so, girl. You've been crying, and you don't do that often. You can tell me. Even Evil has loved ones."

"Did you? I can't imagine-"

"Hell, yes I did. But that was long ago, and I was a different person then. And then he betrayed me. And my trust."

"Sounds an awful lot like what I went through. Except in my case, it was with a woman.  Someone much like you, in fact. I guess you could kind of be her evil twin."

"What do you mean?"

"Picture yourself with blonde curls and blue eyes instead of horns and black eyes, and frilly, glittery gowns instead of your robes. You'll see what I mean. She was an ambitious, slimy bitch alright, she was a traitor to me and to our friendship, perhaps it's a good thing I'm away from her now, but the pain she causes me by being so far away is unspeakable and intolerable, and even if I loathe the little idiot- and I do, I really do- but if I could, I would whisk her away forever. I would never let her go again, because I hate her and yet can't stand not being with her!"

Elphaba was sobbing. Maleficent was unsure of how to react. But something told her that the green girl needed to be comforted. So, she pulled Elphaba close to herself and held her, albeit awkwardly. Elphaba tensed up slightly. Maleficent asked her, "What? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, I...I'm just not used to people touching me like this. Especially not after she left me."

"It will be fine, my wicked sister. One day, you too will learn to put your heart aside and use your head. And then, you and I shall rule together, our freedom regained, and no-one can stop us. Together, we shall be unlimited."
***
One year later

Elphaba and Maleficent watched their children playing around with each other, accompanied by Chistery and Maleficent's pet raven, Diablo. Elphaba felt a rare smile break over her face. Maleficent noticed and pointed out, "Well, well, well. You do look rather elated."

"Yeah, well, I never believed myself quite capable of carrying a child and bringing it to term, but I've done it with two of them. And to have them turn out practically normal wasn't what I had hoped," Elphaba replied, her eyes shining.

"You know, I always wondered who your boy takes after. He does look nothing like you."

"Who? Liir? I fancy he takes after Fiyero. You know, my ex-boyfriend. Just that his complexion is sort of fairer than Yero's."

"Ah, I see. And red and cream are definitely his colours."

"Just like Yero. I just hope he doesn't  grow up to be his father. Too noble for his own good, that Prince was. I remember. Almost got himself killed for my sake."

"Whoa. Good riddance," Maleficent remarked, making Elphaba cackle a bit before adding, "Well, Rain is definitely my girl. And not just the skin. Black and navy blue were always my best colours. And they fit her like a glove. Though I'm worried about how people will treat her when she's at school. I remember what it was like for me."

"Oh, I promise you I don't see any such worry with my little baby dragon."

"Neither do I. Except maybe the fact that Mal is probably a bit too sweet. But she'll likely grow out of it."

"I have full faith she will," Maleficent replied, winking.
***
Elphaba had gone for a walk around the Isle with Maleficent, their respective children and familiars. Mal and Rain had run along ahead and were currently talking to Chistery, with Diablo cawing peacefully. All of a sudden, in a wooded area close to the force field,  Elphaba yelped and practically dropped Liir. Maleficent asked her, "What's the matter?"

"I feel my magic working again. It's not supposed to be that way, is it? Could there be a breach in the barrier here?"

"We're nowhere near the wharf," Maleficent pointed out.

"I know. That's why it's so...hold on, what if I can cast an actual spell here? Could it work?" Elphaba asked, her eyes shining.

"See for yourself," Maleficent smirked, a malevolent glint in her black eyes.

Elphaba took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Within a few minutes, an orb of glowing emerald light had appeared in her hand. Maleficent narrowed her eyes and said, "Well, now, that's rather curious."

"What is?" Elphaba asked, her mind on something else.

"That we both should have our magic manifesting through a similar colour scheme. Except mine is perhaps a couple shades  darker."

"Oh. I was just thinking of something else. What if I did a more complicated spell than this? Maybe I could find a way to help my daughter! Oh, Maleficent, you have to help me with this!"

"I will. Relax," Maleficent smirked.

"This is gonna work. I just know it," Elphaba grinned.
***
After a lot of practice and failures, and multiple trips to the location, Elphaba had finally found a spell to de-greenify her daughter. She had also found a way to encase it inside an emerald in a silver bracelet she had procured from Jafar. Of course, she would have to shrink it to fit Rain. She put it on in front of the mirror in Maleficent's bedroom and watched the green of her skin recede. The spell was possibly more potent than she had reckoned. Maleficent came out and said, "Well, well, would you believe that? You actually look like a princess!"

Elphaba saw what Maleficent meant. She could hardly recognise her own reflection, which seemed to have perfect fair skin and long, wild, curly copper coloured hair. She had tears in her eyes as she remarked, "I know. Papa always told me that I'm a lot like my late mother, but now...I look almost exactly like her. Like how I remember her. Both physically, and in pictures. I just hope it'll have the same effect on Rain."

"And let's hope she doesn't get that thing stolen," Maleficent winked.

Later that night, Elphaba called Rain to her room and said, "Sweetheart, I have a little something for you."

"What is it, mama?" Rain asked, her eyes widening.

Elphaba simply smiled and took Rain's hand in her own. She gently pushed Rain's sleeve back and pinned on the bracelet. She whispered, "Now, look at yourself."

Rain squealed, making Elphaba chuckle. It had worked, just as she had expected. Rain was now fair skinned and copper haired, though her hair retained its characteristic emerald green highlights. Liir's highlights were a blend of red and creamy white, Elphaba remembered. He was truly Fiyero's son, and Rain her girl. She hugged her daughter and instructed her, "Now, sweetie, no drawing back your sleeve, okay? And don't breathe a word of this to your brother."

"Okay, mama. I'll be careful," Rain smiled, lisping slightly, just as a toddler should. Elphaba chuckled. Somehow, Rain had turned out to be a really hyperactive, talkative little imp, so unlike what Elphaba herself had been at the same age. Liir was closer to that version of her, as he was quiet and withdrawn most of the time. And something about her daughter reminded her of the girl she had once loved.