"I wonder where Luke and Krystal are," Anna voiced her thoughts aloud as she and Emma strolled through Shopping District. The brunette shrugged.

"Krystal left when Ambrose asked to speak to me alone. I don't know where she went after that."

"What did he have to say to you?" Anna met her eyes. "Did you tell him about you passing out?"

"I forgot about that," she answered, wide-eyed. "No, I didn't tell him. He just asked a few questions is all."

"Oh," Anna's gazed dropped to the path she walked on. They entered the bustling Wizard City cafe as the dinner crowd gathered. Emma spotted Krystal sitting close to the door at a booth to herself. She was busily writing something down and Emma figured the blond was doing something for Ambrose.

"There you are, Krys!" Anna said as they approached her. Krystal lifted her blue gaze up at the two.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Anna? I don't like being called Krys!"

"Sorry," Anna said sincerely. "I keep forgetting. Can we sit with you?"

"I don't see why not," Krystal nodded, closing her notebook. Anna scooted into the booth opposite of Krystal. Emma peered across the cafe, looking at all who had taken their place in the small building. It was quite crowded and she began to feel a little self-conscious. That's when she noticed something moving outside one of the windows. An odd feeling settled inside of her. What is that? I need to go check. "I'll be right back, ok?" She said and left, without glancing back at them. They were both deep in conversation, so Emma assumed they wouldn't even notice. She exited the cafe, pushing past other wizards entering. She turned the corner, passing the wand shop. She stepped closer to the side of the building, where a tree stood and she peered up into the branches. That's when she spotted Ajax. The eagle shifted slightly and peered down at her with the same glaring, yellow eyes. "It's you," she said, remembering what Bartleby had told her about Apollo's decision. Ajax stayed perched and unmoving. He didn't say anything. Emma crossed her arms. "I forgot about Apollo's arrangement." Her gaze fell to the ground.

"The human mind is often forgetful. You are nothing like the princess for this reason." Ajax finally said. Emma looked up at him quizzically.

"Why are you always so rude to me?" She asked to no answer. "You always talk down to me while everyone else treats me like a queen. What's your problem? Am I not what you wanted, or something?" When Ajax still didn't answer she grunted a "whatever" and turned to leave.

"My words are few for there aren't many things I have to say." Ajax answered, bringing Emma to a halt. She looked back at him. "I speak the blunt truth. I do not know any other way to speak."

"Oh," Emma muttered.

"Forgive me if you took it in vain, my Lady. It was unintended. If I am harsh, it is for good reason." He explained, his expression unchanging. "Go, now. Your friends await you."

"But-" Emma started to say, a little taken aback by Ajax's revelation. He didn't say anything and she decided to just go back inside the café as he'd said.


"I've lived in Wizard City all my life and even now, I still don't like the food." Krystal stated as the three trekked to Elik's Edge.

"Why?" Anna inquired curiously, looking up at the tall blond.

"It's too plain to me," Krystal explained. Emma watched as they continued their conversation. "I grew up eating that stuff, I'd rather try something different."

"Well, I love Wizard City food," Anna stated, looking ahead. "It's different from the cuisines- or so that hag at the orphanage would call them- that we ate in Wisteria. I just enjoy the uniqueness of each world."

"Well, Wizard City is lame to me, but I do love it because it's my home." Krystal shrugged. Emma smiled at that. I miss Mooshu, speaking of home. I wonder how my parents are doing. The group rounded the corner that led to Elik's Edge, but they stopped when they saw who sat on the stone barrier; Luke. He didn't face them, but Emma could tell from his slouched shoulders that he was distraught. He was turned completely towards the skyway, feet hanging over the other side of the barrier and gazing out into the reddening sky.

"It's Luke," Anna said softly.

"He must be thinking about Maddie," Krystal noted. "This is where he proposed to her, after all."

"Yeah," Anna nodded. Emma's heart filled with sorrow at the sight. Seeing Luke sitting there, gazing helplessly into the skyway, hurt worse than the realization that this was all real.

"I-I feel so bad for him," Anna said, voice cracking with emotion.

"The only thing we can do for him is find Maddie. That's the only thing we can do to help him." Krystal told her calmly. "Now, let's head back to the dorms, he may not want us to see."

"Yeah," Anna sniffled. Emma turned to follow them, but kept looking back at heartbroken Luke. She sighed. This may be the place he proposed, she thought. But that marriage may never come.