I think a lot of people are glad that some action is coming up, and that Thalia's back in the story. However, the happiness is short-lived, as we learn that Crown Lily had been hiding a dangerous secret...

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"Cygnus," Crown says, nonchalantly enough, "have you heard of Gemini's suggestion?"

"To awaken Saggitarius?" I hiss, "He told me that Thalia has a wry sense of humor, and I think she's joking."

"Yes, I think so too," Crown says, her eyes glowing, "but...what if? What if we could use Saggitarius to destroy the humans of Earth? After all, he went quite crazy last time, and I'm sure that he would do so again..."

I ponder about it.

Yes, yes. As Cepheus didn't enjoy Saggitarius, I didn't enjoy his way of doing things. Oh, using Andromeda on AM was very clever, a great test run for Andromeda, but me having time to catch up on the things I've nearly forgotten has caused me to warm to...Primal Forme.

"And Ophiuca is trying to perform Primal Forme," Crown says, changing the subject, "but backwards: first, the memory process, and then the rest should come together, at least that's what Ophiuca Avenger tells me."

"That's good to know," I say, "and I assume that Libra fought MegaGirl?"

To my surprise, Crown shakes her head and says, "No, m'lord, and that is partly the girl's own fault. She'd been stuck in 'memory absorbtion mode' in her sleep, and couldn't wake up until sunset."

"Tell me this, Crown," I say, "who are your sources? How did you know about the girl in the first place?"

Crown says nothing, but merely lowers her head submissively.

"Is it someone close to Layla?" I ask.

"No, m'lord," Crown says.

"Then who?" I press.

"Drago," Crown whispers, ever so softly, "and he should be coming."

"My, this is good," I say, "Drago, the second EM wave human...but how did you meet? It couldn't possibly have been at FM, as-"

"I've never left the castle except to go to Earth," Crown says assuringly, "we met on Earth. You see, he often tries to find powerful humans, and often he ends up with humans who...just aren't his type. I was hoping I could get Eric Roswell to conform to Drago's influence...but last night, I think someone got to him."

"Wolf disappeared last night," I say, "perhaps it was him?"

Crown throws up her hands and says, "Now we have Wolf going traitor on us! First Mega, then Lyra, now Wolf! I have my suspicions about Aries and Gemini, as well..."

"Aries, I would understand," I say, "as you both constantly bicker. However...why Gemini? Is it because of Thalia?"

"Yes, m'lord," Crown says, "I know Gemini wouldn't lie like he did the day Aquarius got away...not before Thalia. Drago is also wary of Gemini-"

"Prove Drago's existence," I say.

Crown blinks and says, "M'lord?"

"Prove to me that you aren't lying about Drago," I say, "I will want to see him, as soon as possible...and you can't try using a different FM-ian. A king knows his subjects by name, and I am no different."

Crown sighs reluctantly and begins to speak, but a deep male voice says, "As a king wishes, so he may recieve."

An FM-ian unlike any I've seen before forms in the room.

It's like a dragon, a Chinese-looking dragon from human mythology, except not as decorated. It wears battle armor, and merely looking at it causes me to see years pass before my eyes.

"I am Drago," the FM-ian says, "and I understand that you have problems with a certain human...named Layla Woods."

Crown pales and looks around, as though trying to find a way to escape.

"You haven't found a human in this time?" I ask, now more curious than scared.

"No, no," Drago says, chuckling, "I have not found a human. Instead, I've been searching for one who can withstand the test of time."

"I've tried to tell him," Crown whispers, if only to herself, "that no human being is immortal."

"And you are wrong!" Drago hisses at Crown, "I've seen humans live for nearly a thousand years, never dying! Where are the humans like that in this day and age?"

"Silence," I say.

Drago turns away from the now-shivering Crown, looking me in the eye.

"The humans are trying to develop various 'immortality' potions and machinery," I say, "but I doubt that they will succeed. Why do you want an immortal human, anyway? All they'll do is whine about how they have to live forever."

"Because as an FM-ian lives forever," Drago says, "so I need a powerful companion who will do likewise."

"Perhaps we can arrange the deal slightly differently," I say, raising my head slightly, "I've found that Aquarius is really Layla's 'creator', and that he is a sort of...what's the word? 'Alchemist'? He has notes that read about eternal life, and many calculations that could've been in his pot. Perhaps if you can bring Layla to FM alive, I could make the formula for eternal life."

Drago closes his eyes, as though thinking, then opens them quickly.

"Cygnus," Drago says, "that is your name, right?"

I nod.

"I'll accept your offer," Drago says, "but I'll report to Crown on things such as the alliances building on FM. Is that all right?"

"Yes," I say, "by all means, do whatever you please."

"Then I take my leave...m'lord Cygnus," Drago says, disappearing.

I turn to Crown, whose eyes are glued to the place Drago once stood.

"He's obssessed with immortality in a human," Crown whispers, "he tried to take me over, believing that two FM-ians might make one human immortal...and I learned something."

"What is that?" I ask.

Crown turns to me with fear in her eyes as she says, "He's practically as old as time. Saggitarius is as well, from what I've seen. My mind has Drago's memories."