The first day of Ishgar's Strongest came to a close. The sun was setting on an action packed day and the various teams returned to their respective hotel rooms. As for Count Waltz and Team Joya, he sat upon his throne, looking very disappointed at his Royal Knights, specifically Tuba. "I'm very disappointed in your performance today, Tuba."

The old soldier was on a knee, showing respect to the Count. "Please accept my humble apology."

"You choked out there." Rondo rubbed salt in the wound. "In front of the Count no less."

"That's enough." Polka chided Rondo.

"I agree. Our foes in this competition are not to be taken lightly." Jazz said calmly. "But know that we will overcome them, Count Waltz."

"We won't lose." Allegretto said with a firm nod.

"We promise!" Beat followed up.

"You better. I will not accept failure when this competition is being held in our country." Waltz scoffed. "Now then…the matchups for the second day are already prepared. Joya will be battling against the Pergrande Kingdom. As you know, Joya owes Pergrande a great deal."

"Are you gonna tell us to throw?" Yumia asked with her hands on her hips.

"But I wanna have funnnn!" Marx pouted.

"Of course not." Count Waltz shook his head. "We will simply give Pergrande a fight to remember."

"Speaking of remembering…" The voice belonged to Yeager. "Excellent work on the event today, ja? The Wizard Hunters will be taking one half of that Damascus as payment for our services."

"Of course. I needed someone to cut that in half." Waltz waved a hand dismissively. "Your services are welcome. The Damascus will sell for even more than it's usually worth in Joya due to the taxes, so have fun splitting all that jewel among the 10 of you."

"Yaaaay!" Marx, Yumia, and Yukia all jumped for joy. The dollar signs in their eyes were clear as day.

"We owe this bounty to Mii, so be sure to thank the lovely cooperative angel when you see her~" Yeager told his companions with a wink. "Aeon, Crash, Weavile, Marta, and the others are keeping a watchful eye on the rest of the competition, and our dear mole is keeping tabs on Fiore for us. It's the perfect operation~"

"Angel…" Beat mumbled. The young boy grit his teeth, clenching his hand into a fist at the mere mention of that word.

"Well, today was a bit of a bust." Luke said with a sweat drop. Team Fiore was gathered in Erza and Lucy's hotel room, standing around as they waited for Erza to awaken. She had been out all day after being defeated by Lucia earlier.

"Yeah, good on our 'captain' to go and get herself knocked out within the first 10 minutes of the tournament starting." Reve scoffed.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't make such remarks." Jellal told Reve, visibly upset that the gunslinger would make such a comment aloud.

"Is now really the time to talk?" Minerva lifted a brow. "You talked quite bit earlier, only to fall short in that event."

"Yeah, you didn't win!" Natsu added. "So you don't get to talk like Erza didn't do anything!"

To that, Reve rolled his eyes. He expected this sort of response but brushed off his loss like nothing. "That sword was the only thing stopping me from winning."

"The several people who scored higher than you would disagree." Lucy added.

"That event was likely rigged." Reve said.

"That's a bit of a sore loser attitude, isn't it, Reve-san?" Sting asked.

"I know you can't handle losing, but that's pretty low even for you." Kagura added. Now everyone was giving Reve a look, but he simply sighed before explaining himself.

"So no one else thinks it's odd that the one person who has the power to slice through Damascus was the one in the event?" Reve crossed his arms, staring at everyone in the room. "Sure, everyone else had the potential if they had more time, but Mii?"

"Hmmm…" Zelos placed his hands behind his back. "That is a fairly interesting point. But can't we chalk that up to the luck of the draw?"

"Hmph." Reve shook his head. "That event was like the MPF back in Fiore, but it wasn't just a contest of strength. It was a show of strength for the world to see…anyone would be an idiot for revealing the best moves in their arsenal on the very first day of the tournament."

"And is that why you didn't charge the Eclipse Cannon?" Luke questioned.

"Didn't think I needed to." Reve responded honestly. "That being said, it works out that I didn't. Because now I know that I can stand above just about anyone."

"That…doesn't make any sense." Lector couldn't follow Reve's logic.

"You know, while we're on this topic…" Luke glanced at Erza, who started to stir. "Did no one else find it weird that Lucia challenged Erza as a captain? We had only made that decision earlier in the day."

"…You're right." Bacchus rubbed the back of his head. "I was a lil drunk but I know I didn't say anythin' to anyone."

"And like the idiot she is, she walked into that trap." Reve said.

"Reve!" Lucy glared at Reve.

"No…he's right." Erza's eyes opened. She sat up despite how injured she was. That last few moments of that fight felt like an utter nightmare. "I was ill prepared for what happened…" And she lost her guild mark as a result. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for anything." Hisui told Erza.

"You were set up." Kagura said firmly. No one had thought much about it until Luke set it up.

Sting furrowed his brows. "So the enemy team knew who our captain was. Does that mean someone's leaking information?"

"That's the only outcome I can think of!" Lector lifted a paw up. "But then…who would it be?"

"They're getting their information from somewhere." Reve glanced at the four Fairy Tail mages. "And based on Lucia's words earlier, it's someone from Fairy Tail."

"Now you're going too far!" Natsu glared at Reve, taking a step forward. "No one at Fairy Tail would ever help those bastards!"

"Aye! We're all on the same side here!" Happy was beside Natsu.

"So are the Wizard Hunters, if we're bein' honest." Bacchus quipped. "They're the enemy, and their mages are split between two different countries, right? Seems a little suspicious…maybe he's not wrong after all."

"I can't see anyone from Fairy Tail betraying their guild. You should know better than anyone that they wouldn't do that." Jellal told Reve.

"I have no idea why anyone would betray Fairy Tail like that." Zelos let out a dramatic sigh. "Perhaps she was saying that to throw us on a false trail? You can never tell with the Wizard Hunters."

"Of course, you all trust Fairy Tail without a doubt. I guess that means someone like me has to be logical and cast doubt on them." Sighing, the gunslinger shook his head. He expected this outcome. "Whatever the case is, I'm taking over the role as leader now."

"You can't just…!" Sting started.

"I am. Erza clearly can't fight and we need someone who won't drag our team down through the mud." Reve wasn't taking no for an answer on this. He was already leaving the room since had basically said all he needed to. "So tomorrow we're getting back on track." And with that, he was gone.

"Asshole…" Natsu grumbled.

"Erza, are you okay?" Jellal asked.

"I'm…not sure." Erza frowned. Her guild mark had been ripped away from her in front of the entire world.

"Pergrande…Joya…" Hisui started to think as the others conversed. "The Wizard Hunters are on both teams…this is no coincidence. There's a connection between the two countries, just as they said…" Something was very wrong here. "Everyone, listen. I know that today was not the greatest start. But now that we are aware of what we're up against, we must take more caution going into tomorrow."

Meredy and Ultear were on the top of a building in Crown City, both revisiting the day's events through Ultear's Orb. Ultear grimaced at Erza's defeat. "That Lucia…she's very strong. To think she made such short work of Erza of all people."

"The Wizard Hunters are very dangerous." Meredy said with a frown. "But that said…I really want to know where Count Waltz got Damascus from. I didn't even know it existed before today."

"I was under the impression it didn't exist anymore." Ultear said while taking a look around Crown City. "More surprising, I knew that the Eternal Sword was very powerful, but Mii made it look frightening. I worry about the others if they have to fight her. I hope they have a plan…"

"She's in league with the Wizard Hunters, and the Hunters are currently split between Pergrande and Joya. There's a connection and I think tracing it will be our best bet." Meredy said firmly.

"But we have to be careful." Ultear warned. "I saw some of the Hunters go into the palace. We can't just go sneaking into Crown Palace unprepared. If we get caught…" Who knows what Count Waltz would do to them… "We have to pick a time to strike. The faster we can liberate Hisui from the clutches of the Wizard Hunters, the more Fiore can let loose when the time comes."

"Mhm." Meredy nodded in agreement. The breeze nearly knocked off her hood, but she managed to keep it on to conceal her identity. "Count Waltz is clearly hiding something. Jellal is entrusting us to find out what."

The sun set and night was upon Crown City. Lucy was walking through the streets, using a map to lead her to Al Dente's! current establishment. Unfortunately for her, the line was extremely long. She could catch the likes of Blair and Juilet performing their usual waitress duties, but they were slammed. "Agh…" Groaning, the blonde had no choice but to find somewhere else. The day would be over by the time she got what she wanted. "I guess that place will do." A nearby bakery shop. Lucy walked inside and spotted a strawberry cake – precisely what she was looking for. She wanted to get Erza something to feel a little better and it was the last slice of one no less. "Oh! Can I have this slice of strawberry cake?" Lucy asked the man behind the counter.

"Of course!" The cashier gave a friendly smile. "That'll be 50,000 jewel."

"WHAT!?" Lucy's eyes widened. The price listed was 5,000 jewel. "T-That's…!"

"Ah, you're from Fiore, a tourist, right? These are the taxes in Joya." The cashier said so casually.

"H-How do people live like this…" Lucy proceeded to sweat. "I barely have enough to pay for a slice of strawberry cake…"

"Ha. Imagine not being able to pay for a single slice of cake. Then again, I should've expected that much from someone who can barely pay her own rent." Who else would be talking down to Lucy like this? No one other than Emmeraude.

"Ugh…" Just what Lucy needed. To be mocked. "How was I supposed to know taxes here are just as expensive as my rent!?"

"Do you live under a rock?" Emmeraude rolled her eyes.

"You're the worst." Lucy groaned. She then got an idea that was probably bad in the longrun, but it didn't hurt to ask. "…So, hey….."

"You want me to lend you a bit of cash so you can buy that cake for Erza?" Emmeraude surmised. Based on Lucy's shocked expression she was right. "Fine. I can be nice. You don't even have to worry about paying me back the money."

"…." Wow, that worked? Lucy was in awe. "Wow, that's…"

"You'll just have to pay me back in other ways." Emmeraude said casually.

That's when Lucy started to sweat. The notion of having to owe Emmeraude something made her shudder. What sort of things would the Alvarez Empress do to her and call it repaying the debt!? Lucy could only imagine that she'd get Emmeraude's heel on her temple again and that was unpleasant the last 3 times it happened. Even worse, she might publicly humiliate her by making her dance in a bunny suit or something! "Y-You know what…I'm good."

"Fine. I'll take that cake then." Emmeraude smirked, slamming the 50,000 jewel on the counter.

"Are you serious!?" Lucy gasped. "Did you really buy that cake just because I was going to?! How petty can you get!?"

"What? It's not like you were going to buy it." Emmeraude said this all while holding her usual irritating smile.

"Ghhh…" There was always a catch. Lucy was disappointed, but not surprised at the end of the day.

"Do you even have the time to be worry about a slice of cake?" Emmeraude said, eating the thing right in front of Lucy and savoring every bite. "Fiore is going to do poorly. Alvarez's only competition is the Pergrande Kingdom and I cannot wait to crush them under our heel."

"You're jumping to conclusions pretty fast after just one day." Lucy fired back. "You should know how we operate by now. We'll win, we always do."

Emmeraude rolled her eyes at such a predictable response. "The first day leaves a first impression. Pergrande and Alvarez will be the front runners with Alvarez taking the lead, Minstrel will fall apart before this week is over, and your team will be left in the dust behind the others."

"Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk? Your head is inflated with so much hot air I'm surprised it hasn't burst yet!" Lucy's voice rose. They were really having yet another argument in the middle of this bakery.

"I've never told a lie." Emmeraude scoffed. "Besides, you should be less concerned with my words and instead focus on your own actions, lest you have another pitiful day like today."

"Grrr…" Lucy could not stand Emmeraude. Even after a whole year after their grudge match during the war, these two just could not see eye to eye. It was mostly Emmeraude's fault but Lucy knew she was at fault too, since she allowed herself to continuously be provoked no matter how hard she tried. They'd never get along; their relationship, and fate, was a complex web that only these two could understand.

The tension in the air was cut when another familiar voice caught their attention. When Lucy and Emmeraude turned, they saw Mii, leaning onto the counter, the strap of her one strap dress falling off her shoulder intentionally, pushing her chest outwards. Her eyes fluttered, lips were pursed just slightly, and her tone lowered. "It seems I'm out of cash…but I really want a piece of cake. Can you please let Mii pay you in…other ways…~?"

"U-Uh…!" The cashier's face went bright red.

"…" Emmeraude could not stand to watch this. She grabbed Mii's arm and tugged her away from the counter.

"Ah!" Mii gasped. "Oh, hey Em, Lucy. You two are in this building and it hasn't fallen apart yet? I'm amazed. Also, why'd you do that, Em!? I was about to get some free cake!"

Emmeraude was busy adjusting Mii's dress, making sure that the strap went over her shoulder again. "Because I couldn't stand and watch as you threw the last scraps of your dignity away."

To that, Mii giggled. "Oh Em, I think we both know I don't know what the word means."

"I think we both know I taught you what that word means." Emmeraude fired back with a narrowing gaze.

"Uh…" Lucy had a sweat drop. The tension was between her and Emmeraude, but now it looked like it was shifting to Mii. This was the first time Lucy was witnessing a conversation between the two of them and it was already awkward.

"Ugh, such a killjoy. Not a 'hi Mii', or a 'congratulations on your win, Mii'!" Mii groaned, taking a step back from Emmeraude. "You never let Mii have any fun!"

"That's because I was trying to keep you from turning out like…this!" Emmeraude exclaimed. "I see I failed and now you're making mistakes left and right; like working with the Wizard Hunters and wielding that blade around despite knowing what it's doing to you."

Mii's gaze suddenly turned serious. "Maybe I hate myself that much I want to suffer, ever think about that?"

This was not a conversation Lucy needed to be a part of. "…I care about Mii as much as anyone else, but this doesn't involve me, so I'm going to…"

"No, you're going to listen to this." Both Emmeraude and Mii said at the same time.

"…." Lucy just stood in wide eyed shock. That was…scary.

"You're going out of you way to keep her alive, aren't you?" Emmeraude narrowed her eyes at Mii. "I need you to understand that Koryuji is a lost cause and that you can't save her."

"Is that what you think of me now? Lost cause?" Mii's tone lowered. "That hurts, Em."

"You've been treading down the wrong path for too many years, always avoiding the chances to turn back. Do you truly hate yourself that much? You're so far down the path no one can protect you anymore." Emmeraude said.

"Maybe I don't need protection, Em!" Mii started to shout. "I'm not a kid anymore! I'm not and haven't been expecting you to come to my rescue like you did that day when I was 10! This is my choice and I'm going to see it through to the end. Not you, not Lucy, not anyone…no one will stop me. So how about you get over yourself and let things go already."

Emmeraude clenched her hand into a fist. The Empress was growing visibly frustrated and the bakery started to shake. "Koryuji…you truly are…the worst being I've had the displeasure of being acquainted with. If this is the path you've chosen, then I won't stop you. You're welcome to go and die just as you so want to. I can see that you don't want saving."

"…!" Mii's eyes widened at Emmeraude's cold tone.

"Emmeraude! How can you say that?!" Lucy was getting involved now. "Isn't Mii your friend!?"

Emmeraude remained silent for a moment before turning her back. "…A friend of mine is one who shares my dreams and convictions. Someone who knows how they want to live their life instead of being a pawn in someone else's game. There was a time when Koryuji and I were close, but I can see now that such times are a thing of the past. You want me to let things go, then fine. I'll take your advice right now."

"….." Mii's face went red. "FINE! IF THAT'S HOW YOU WANT TO BE, EM! FORGET IT! I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE ANYWAY!" And having screamed that, Mii ran out of the store.

"Mii, wait!" Lucy tried to stop her, but it was too late.

As Mii flew off to Crown Palace, she sobbed and rubbed the eyes with the back of her hand. "Be that way, Em…! I-I don't care anymore!" Her mind flashed back to that fateful day she mentioned before.

[Flashback.]

A young, scared Mii was cornered by a few angels. Even after the events of the Holy War, they couldn't do away with just kicking her out of her home. They came to finish the job and expedite the process of her death. Mii was currently crouched down, using her body to shield her fallen female friend around her age who tried to protect her, only to get seriously injured in the process. "EM, PLEASE HELP!" Mii cried out in vain, eyes closing as numerous magic blasts were coming right at her. An explosion occurred and she expected the worst, but nothing happened. When she looked up, all she could see was Emmeraude's back as the woman miraculously appeared to protect her. "E-Em…y-you came…"

"Of course I did." Emmeraude glanced back at Mii with a smile. "I told you, didn't I? If you call my name when you're in trouble, I'll always come running to protect you. No matter what."

]End flashback.]

Lucy glanced to Emmeraude, who went completely silent. The cake she took so much pride in eating was simply crushed into nothing. "…" Her back was turned and she wasn't going to let Lucy see whatever expression it was she had on her face.

Lucy knew not to say anything. Or rather, she thought it best to just leave Emmeraude alone. "That was ugly…" Lucy exited the bakery shop and so did Emmeraude, but the Empress went her own way. Lucy stared up into the sky, watching as Mii flew off into the distance. "I don't care what you or anyone else says…I'll make sure to save you, I swear it…!"

.

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Next Time: Day 2 Begins.