A/N: Hello there! Long time no see :) This story will be replacing Dead and Gone, it's not really the same, but the frame is similar in the beginning, though this story may get dark, with no guaranteed happy ending.

The concept of Shadows were taken from the fabulous author Maddy, AKA the Queen of Cliffies and ExoticPeachBlossom.

This story is for all my great friends :)

Prologue

The Shadows

Elphaba's fingers tightened around the Grimmerie, body stiffening as the Wizard's words sunk in. A shiver was sent up her spine as she slowly turned back to him in rage. "You have no real power, do you?" Her voice was a low whisper, rising with each word she stood.

The tension in the air was apparent, for Madame Morrible and Glinda stepped back. The only reason the Wizard had not was because he had no magical ability and could not sense the vibrations coming off of the young witch. Glinda had never seen Elphaba this pissed ever. It was a frightening sight, too. Her eyes were narrowed and the hat Glinda had given her cast a shadow over her face, with her lips drawn back into a sneer it darkened her appearance even further.

Elphaba lifted a hand shakily and drew it back, only to lash forward again. The Wizard was sent sprawling to the ground, his back hitting the base of his mechanical head with a hollow thud. A low groan escaped his lips. "Elphaba, please, that is why I need you... With such power-"

"Don't say another word!" Elphaba hissed, her anger was growing, and with it the magic within her flared, reacting with her emotions.

Kal'esi, a Shadow, stepped from the corners of the throne room, drawn by the magic from the location. Every now and then the Shadows would have to go and find new recruits, making them stronger as a whole. And never in his whole life had he felt a magic signature as strong as hers. He closed his eyes and focused on her mind, allowing himself into her. It was time to see how easy this green witch was to manipulate. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and sighed in frustration, working to break down the barriers that guarded her.

Elphaba felt a twinge inside of her and her anger wavered for a moment. She looked around, confused she looked for the source and was about to say something to the Wizard, maybe an apology of some sort when a voice said in her head,

"Wait."

It was silent for a moment until it came back.

"Why apologize, shouldn't he be the one apologizing? All you wanted was to help the Animals and those of the oppressed."

Elphaba didn't know what the voice was. She turned and fled, unable to face the Wizard, Madame Moribble, and Glinda anymore.

"Don't run." The voice said smoothly, but it was so seductive that Elphaba complied for some reason.

Elphaba stopped halfway down the current hall she was in and checked for guards before sinking to her knees while gasping for breath from the run. She didn't know how far or for how long she had been running, but she was still in the palace. She shut her eyes hoping to block everything out.

"Elphaba." The voice said gently, but this time it wasn't in her head. It was in front of her. Elphaba looked up and dared to open her eyes just a bit. A man in his mid-twenties was on one knee in front of where she was sitting. He had messy black hair and warm brown eyes. All of the sudden Elphaba felt very weak and vulnerable.

The man reached out and grabbed her shoulder, steadying her. His hands were strong and scarred. He had broad shoulders and a strong build.

"Let go of me." Elphaba ripped herself from his grip, "Who are you?"

"Kal'esi." He said, "Some just call me Kal though."

Madame Morrible waddled forward, finding Elphaba first because of her magic which she traced like heat with a heat detector. She saw the man in the black uniform in front of Elphaba before her: she had studied magic long enough to know that he was a Shadow.

Kal'esi turned his head toward Madame Morrible and smirked before turning back to Elphaba as he continued to talk to her.

Morrible knew what he was doing, sweet talking Elphaba into his clutches to use her power for the Shadows. Yes, Madame had wanted Elphaba for her own good but if she listened to him Oz would fall into Chaos with the imbalance of power. Things were too dangerous as they already were.

Elphaba slowly began to nod at Kal's words. He offered a hand to Elphaba, who took it and stood.

Kal turned and whispered into her ear, "Come... These people will limit you... But if you join Us, you'll get the adoration you finally deserve, you'll be respected, you'll have power, people will adore you." He pressed, his voice like silk.

Elphaba shut her eyes. All her life she had been rejected and laughed at, and all she'd wanted was to help those in need. They also pushed her out though, hating her on sight just because of her skin.

"Just come with me." Kal'esi said forcefully this time, allowing the Shadow's to seep into Elphaba's mind. Already he could see her magic become darker as she turned back to him.

Elphaba nodded, unaware she was falling further and further into his trap. She took his hand and they disappeared in a plume of smoke.

Feedback appreciated! :D

-Elphie your WWW