During a stormy night at Shiz University, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves trapped together in the dormitory's common room, forced to confront the animosity that has been building between them. As the storm rages on outside, their conversation becomes increasingly heated, with Elphaba accusing Glinda of being shallow and self-absorbed, and Glinda retaliating by calling Elphaba bitter and ungrateful. But as the argument reaches its peak, a loud crack of thunder booms outside, causing the lights to flicker and the room to plunge into darkness. In the sudden silence, Elphaba and Glinda are forced to rely on each other, their mutual dislike momentarily forgotten in the face of their shared fear.

Several months after the confrontation, Elphaba and Glinda have begun to drift apart. They're both attending a high-society gala in the Emerald City, and they find themselves alone on a balcony overlooking the city. The tension between them is still palpable, but they begin to open up to each other about their respective visions for Oz's future. Elphaba is passionate about her desire to overthrow the Wizard and bring about radical change, while Glinda believes that working within the system and using her social status to influence policy is the more effective way to create positive change. As they talk, it becomes clear that their differing views are not just about politics, but also about their own personal values and experiences. Elphaba's desire for revolution is rooted in her own feelings of marginalization and oppression, while Glinda's more conservative approach is influenced by her privileged upbringing and desire to protect the people and institutions she cares about.

As the Wizard's regime tightens its grip on Oz, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves on opposite sides of a heated debate at a secret meeting of the Ozian resistance, with Elphaba advocating for violent revolution and Glinda pushing for a more peaceful, diplomatic approach. Eventually Glinda brings up Fiyero and how she worries Elphaba is a bad influence, who is radicalizing him. It becomes clear that both women have strong feelings for Fiyero, but they're coming from different places. Glinda sees Fiyero as a charming and carefree friend, someone who can help her escape her troubles. Elphaba, on the other hand, sees Fiyero as a kindred spirit, someone who understands her passion for justice and her desire to challenge the status quo.

Glinda has been kidnapped by underlings of the Wizard as leverage against Elphaba and the rebellion. Elphaba risks her own life to rescue Glinda, using her magical abilities to fight off the kidnappers and free her rival. As they escape the scene, Elphaba and Glinda realize that despite their strong differences they will always be there for each other.

As they flee the Wizard's forces, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves at Shiz University's quad, where they first met, and they share a moment of nostalgia and reflection on their complicated friendship.