Chapter Text
Five years ago
Two women sat across from each other around a round table. The younger woman appeared stressed and fidgeted in her seat, while the older woman seemed bored and didn’t even attempt to hide her contempt for her companion. The white-haired woman sighed while rolling her eyes,"Will you stop that insistent squirming? That's the problem with your generation; you can't sit still. Don't worry, we'll make you sit still. Now sign the paper, Glinda,” she said while pushing the paper and pen towards the other woman.
"Galinda, with a guh," the blonde replied automatically. Rifling through the pages of the contract in front of her. "I sign this, and five years of my life are gone."
"You won't even notice. Personally, I don't think you deserve such a deal." The woman didn't even try to hold back her disdain. "Someone higher up must like you." A sneer took up most of her face. "I don't see why. Sign the paper, or don’t; it makes no difference to me. Just be ready to face the consequences of your actions, and they will be severe."
"Excuse me if I'm a little hesitant to sign a piece of paper saying my mind and body are going to be used in ways I don't and can't consent to, for five years.” Galinda knew she was giving this woman a hard time, but the situation she was in was not something she ever saw coming. It was a situation she didn't think anyone would see coming.
"We aren't what you think we are; what we do helps people. If you become a part of this, it can," the older woman looks Galinda up and down, a look of scorn on her face, "help you too."
"Right, just looking out for me." The other woman obviously hated her for some unknown slight on Galinda's part.
"Perhaps better than you have. We're offering you a clean slate here. This mess you've gotten yourself in, as soon as you sign that paper, it’s gone. Like it never existed. I just need you to volunteer to join.” The older woman tapped the contract in front of Galinda on the line she was to sign.
"You ever try and clean an actual slate? You always see what was on it before." Galinda stood up from her chair and started pacing. "Volunteer? That’s a joke, like I have a choice. I was just trying to do some good!"
“Yes, well, look at where that got you. To this conversation, now sit down and sign the paper. This room is slowly draining the life out of me. Join us and you will be doing good, helping people better their lives."
"Rich people, you mean," Galinda knew what she had to do. She was just reluctant to do it.
Questioning how this slip of a girl was going to improve her organization, Madame Morrible tapped the paper again, “Just sign the damn paper, after all…"
Galinda interrupted her, "Yeah, yeah, actions have consequences." Despite her better judgment, she sighed and signed the contract.
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Three and ½ years later
A pair of Ducati Panigale motorcycles go zooming in and out of traffic, both just being seen as red blurs, obviously racing each other with no care for the vehicles around them. Both bikes take a sharp turn going through a lobby and stopping in a decorated room in the back of a building. The loser of the race whips her pink helmet off, arguing with her fellow racer, "I don't know how, but you cheated! There's no way you won."
"Wow, Clara didn't take you for the sore loser type," replied the man while taking off his helmet.
"If I ever lose, I'll let you know. Because you, Kody Lang, definitely cheated," the blonde pointed her finger at the young, dark-haired man.
The crowd around the arguing couple clapped at the fact that the man of the hour had shown up. It was Kody's birthday party, and being a young, rich man certainly had its privileges. One of them being Clara at his side.
The couple danced and drank the night away. Once the clock struck 10 the smile on Kody's face dimmed, and he turned to Clara. "I had a wonderful time, and I wish the party could go on, but I believe you have some place you have to be."
The blonde looked at Kody, her face all smiles. “You’re right, it's time for my treatment. I'll come right back when I'm done," kissing the now 25-year-old man on the lips; Clara left the party to be greeted by another young man outside.
"Come this way," stated the man, putting his hand behind Clara's back and leading her towards a black van parked in front. "It's time for your treatment."
Clara knew if any other stranger came up to her and put a hand on her. She would sock him one, yelling bloody murder, and get out of dodge. For some reason, she felt she could trust him. It was an instinctual feeling she had, and the reminder of her treatment just verified what her mind was telling her. This man was here to help her and bring her where she had to go. “Yes, please, take me to my treatment."
Meanwhile back at the party Kody watched as the young blonde with brown eyes he felt he could drown in followed the man in the suit into the van. His friend coming up to him, "Where's she going?" pointing to Clara.
"It's midnight, time for Cinderella to get back before she turns into a pumpkin." Kody explains while watching the van drive off.
His friend just looks at him, "Dude, it's only 10 o'clock. What are you talking about?"
Kody turns to his friend, "Nothing man, the nights still young." Shouting to be heard over the crowd, "Let's keep this party going!!!"
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Back in the van Fiyero was listening to Clara go on about her wonderful time with Kody and how she wanted to go back to the party after her treatment. The van stoped at the underground garage leading into the unmarked building. "You'll wait for me to get back right?" Clara asked.
"Of course, nowhere else I'd rather be." responded Fiyero. As he watched Clara get into the elevator with a technician to be led to the chair.
The technician led her to the room where her treatment would take place. Leaving her in the hands of Crope, who led Clara to the chair that took up the remaining space in the room that was filled with computers and computer equipment. "Can we make this quick? I have a party to get back to." Crope just shook his head yes while the blonde gleefully settled down in the chair, her legs coming up, while her upper body reclined. The ring around the chair lit up, and the room was filled with Clara's screams.
After about 30 seconds, the ring powered off, and the screaming stopped. The chair automatically reclined with the blond offering no resistance to the change in position, Crope in front of her. “Hello, Glimpse, welcome back to paradise."
"Did I fall asleep?" asked Glimpse, formerly known as Clara.
"For a little while," answered Crope. "You should run along now. I believe you are due for your appointment with Dr. Sarima. Have to make sure you are at your best."
"I always try to do my best," replied Glimpse.