"Welcome back, Mega," I say cheerfully, "Where's Layla?"

"She went to go see Whitney," Omega-Xis says, "Nothing wrong."

"You know," I say, "with the FM-ians looking for us, anything can go wrong. That's what I taught you a long time ago."

"And I've never forgotten, Aquarius," Omega-Xis says, "Now, I'm going to get out of this body. It's a pain to move in."

"Just do it in Layla's closet," I say, "Otherwise her parents...well, they won't be too impressed with you leaving the CopyRoid on the ground."

"Yeah, whatever," Omega-Xis says, but he walks to Layla's room.

After a moment, Omega-Xis returns in AM-ian form.

"How was school?" I say, "I heard that it was boring...from Geo's mind."

This causes Omega-Xis to twitch slightly, but he says, "It's not as bad as it was 200 years ago. I'm just happy Lyra didn't get a CopyRoid, otherwise I'd be stuck with her and the other two."

I laugh and say, "My, things must have changed due to the new technology! I feel old compared to this high-tech world...but there's a few things the humans are missing. And perhaps when they reach those things...then perhaps this lonely war will finally end."

"Yeah," Omega-Xis says, "the war between the humans and the FM-ians. The humans don't know that the war exists."

"But Layla and Whitney do," I say, "and they'll soon be joined by more FM-ians, depending on who I can sway to my will."

"Please," Omega-Xis says, "unless you have some friends who aren't involved already, I doubt that we'll go anywhere."

"I do have some," I say, "but it will require me to return to FM."

"We'll talk to Layla about it," Omega-Xis says, "and we'll go with you. It's too dangerous on FM, now that they're looking for you...not to mention me and Layla for the Andromeda Key. Whitney can keep an eye on Earth, so that way we can go."

"I can always contact them," I say, "and I can see everything going on at FM, with the globe. Speaking of..."

I take the globe from my pot and gaze into it.

Cygnus and Gemini are talking, obviously about Crown Lily.

"M'lord," Gemini says, "I am quite concerned about Crown Lily. Remember when Aquarius was king? Crown Lily schemed to take him off the throne, and tried to enlist MegaGirl in her scheme."

"I know, Gemini," Cygnus says calmly, "but remember that Crown Lily is, by herself, a powerful human. Crown the FM-ian had no choice in the matter. We'll need to find a replacement for Crown's human, otherwise my reign will end."

"But there is a bright side, m'lord," Gemini says, "we do know that Crown Lily has promised Ophiuca Avenger a place at her right hand."

"And I have met Ophiuca's human," Cygnus says, "Her human choice is quite vengeful, something I'd like to use against Omega-Xis. I am wary about Aries, though. Her choice of human is the sibling, and, knowing her, she has backup plans. Regardless, Aries does not seem to be aiming for my throne. However, I'd prefer that she remain far enough away from Crown Lily. Understood?"

"Yes, Cygnus," Gemini says, his human choice Layla's clone in appearance...and in fears.

I return the globe to its proper place and say, "Looks like Crown Lily might lose her FM-ian."

"Good," Omega-Xis says, "I was hoping that she'd get lost."

"But she knows your true identities," I say.

"How do you know that?" Omega-Xis says.

I toss the globe and catch it, grinning.

"Oh," Omega-Xis says, "Forgot about you and that special addition. What was Aries' again?"

"Her choices or her additional ability?" I say.

"I was going to say ability, but we can do choices, yeah," Omega-Xis says.

"First, there's the sibling," I say, "second, Petra Carter. Thirdly...Layla's mother."

"I understand the sibling," Omega-Xis says, "but why Petra again? Layla and I were talking about that just earlier, but..."

"Taurus has proved that Petra has great strength," I say, "but Aries probably knows how to put it on full power. I think she chose Layla's mother to try and get Layla where she's vulnerable."

"We'll just prevent Aries from doing so!" Omega-Xis says fiercely, "You'll see!"

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Can you feel the tension? The grand decision for the sibling is coming!