I soon find that Thalia has loads of praise for Aquarius, even going as far as calling him her father.

We've chatted for quite a while by the time the door opens, revealing Crown Lily.

"Aquarius will see you now, MegaGirl," she says, "Thalia, he said that you should stay here."

Thalia nods and I stand up.

Crown smirks as she says, "What? Nervous? I'm looking forward to the moment when Aquarius activates the Andromeda Key."

I look at Omega-Xis.

His expression is neutral, as though he knows that Crown is wrong about Aquarius activating the Andromeda Key, but knows that Aquarius might have plans for the Key either way.

Crown begins to walk, and I follow until we reach a large room with a throne.

On the throne is a young boy, with brown hair and a blue and silver outfit. He has a purse-looking pot near his leg, and his helmet is tinted silver, making me unable to see his face.

Crown walks in front of the throne and bows, saying, "My lord, I brought them."

"Good job, Crown Lily," the boy says in a voice that seems to know everything, "You may leave."

"B-b-but my lord!" Crown protests.

"Crown, I'd appreciate a little privacy," the boy says, "even Thalia knows when I need it. This is one of those times."

Crown scowls and leaves the room.

The boy stands up and takes the pot in his left hand, saying, "Layla Woods and Omega-Xis, welcome to the court of FM. I am Aquarius."

He doesn't look that threatening. Looks can be deceiving, though…

"Am I supposed to bow?" I ask.

Aquarius laughs and says, "No. Thalia doesn't bow before me either, and I don't want an old apprentice to bow before me."

"M-Mega," I mutter, "What's he mean by apprentice?"

"Long story," Omega-Xis replies, "I'll tell you if we get out of this alive."

Aquarius walks up to me and says, "The Andromeda Key, Omega-Xis. I need it."

"For what?" Omega-Xis counters, "I know you won't use it."

"For my newest project," Aquarius says with a smile, "I destroyed the controller, so it won't be able to activate, and the Key is the main part of my project."

"C-controller?" I stammer, "I-I need some info here, at least."

"Andromeda needs two pieces to activate," Aquarius says, "the Key and the controller. I know how Ophiuca tried to charm Omega-Xis into giving her the Key, to where she could charm the old FM king and take the controller. If Omega-Xis did accept the deal, your planet would be destroyed."

I swallow hard and say a silent thanks for not taking Crown's deal either.

"I'm not giving you the Key," Omega-Xis says, "no matter what you say."

Aquarius smirks and says, "What if I told you the truth about Layla?"

"Truth?" Omega-Xis says, "Whatever 'truth' it is, tell me now, or we'll delete you."

"You asked for it," Aquarius says.