Chapter Text
It was early in the morning as Elphaba walked through the forest
In her hand was a wooden staff. For the most part it was just her walking stick but sometimes she needed it against a charging animal. She even taught herself a few fighting moves just in case of human attackers. She also has a couple blow darts for things at a distance. Most people brought knives, bow and arrows or even guns for self defense, but Elphaba preferred not to kill anything.
By her waist was her satchel. Inside was some lavender, berries, mushrooms and some katniss. She was looking for anything she could use for her remedies.
She spent most days looking for ingredients. Her talents as a healer was how she made money for her and her family.
But today she couldn’t stay out here for long. Because today was The Reaping.
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She got home and sat her staff by the door and hung her bag on a hook
“You need to go get ready. Father says we’re leaving soon.” Said a soft female voice a few feet away
Elphaba turned and came face to face with a young woman in a wheelchair
Her sister, Nessarose
Nessa had a solemn expression on her face. The obvious mood she was in was highlighted by the gray dress she had on.
Elphaba could tell her sister hated what was happening today as much as she did.
“I’ll go upstairs and change.” The apothecary said, emotionless
Minutes later Elphaba was standing in front of a mirror, tying the bow on a dress matching her sisters. As she finished making herself look presentable she took in how the dress rested on her dark skin. Her hair was in her signature micro braids but was now in a giant ponytail. While she was satisfied with her appearance all she could think about was how scared she was.
For it was was time for The Wicked Games
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A long time ago the land of Oz was made of 13 districts and controlled by The Capitol. But then a Great War against the capitol led to the fall of district 13.
After the war the capitol made the remaining districts play a game once a year. It’s purpose was to ‘punish the Wicked’ as they say.
Every year on Reaping day the capitol randomly selects two citizens, ages 12-18, from each district as tribute. After some training and some tv appearances all 24 tributes get thrown into an arena and must fight to the death until only one remains.
And now it was time for the 74th annual Wicked Games
Elphaba scanned the area
She could make out some teens in nearby whispering about her and calling her a witch. But she ignored that and kept scanning.
Everyone in the district was present. All the women were wearing identical dresses and all the men were wearing identical shirts and trousers.
They were all faced with a stage where someone will soon pull names and announce the tribute names. First the girl then the boy.
Peacekeepers surrounded the whole area, guns in hand. They were all ready to shoot anyone who steps out of line.
All the kids eligible for the games stood by the stage. Youngest in the front and oldest in the back. Elphaba was 16 and was in her age group. A couple rows a head she could make out her sister who was in the 14 age group.
Elphaba was more afraid for her sister than herself
If Nessa got picked the capital had an advanced treatment for her legs so she could actually participate in the games. But Nessa has never been in a fight and has little knowledge about survival.
At least with her apothecary experience and her limited fighting skills Elphaba might have a shot. But even so she’d rather she die than let her sister die.
A woman walked up on the stage and stopped at the microphone
“Hello District 12.” The woman began “My name is Madame Morrible. I’d like to thank you all for coming to the reaping of this year's Wicked Games.”
Over the next few minutes Morrible talked about how important the games were and how The Wizard has made the games stronger than ever.
Elphaba grew angry at that name
President Oscar Diggs has ruled over Oz for 25 years now. He was a Gamemaker before getting elected and took over the games after. Him and his Gamemakers have masked the games as a spectacle. Where the districts saw the games as the nightmare they were, the capital saw it as something fun to watch and bet on every year.
Each game had something different. New terrains, new obstacles, new wild animals. Most years the gamemakers like to capture animals in the wilderness just to throw them into the games.
The horrors of the games have gotten even worse because of Diggs. He used his expertise in science and engineering to create special arenas. Arenas where everything gets caught on video, where gamemakers can trigger traps and change the weather, where there’s truly no escape. He even created all new creatures. Monsters that could make things worse for the tributes. Diggs' creations were so unbelievable it was like magic.
Diggs has been nicknamed ‘The Wizard of Oz’ by the capitol for his seemingly magical games.
Elphaba had to push her anger aside as it was time to pull the names. She watched as Morrible drew the girl's name first.
The name Elphaba heard made her body go cold
“Nessarose Thropp.”