"So what happened while you were me?" I asked my clone, Lia.

I was in the Mindscape with Lia while deciphering the script that came out from Mayura's Necklace. Lia was smiling off, apparently enjoyed the party so I asked, totally curious about her part of the events.

"Couldn't you just access my thoughts? In fact, aren't we the same person with the same life so you should know my thoughts?" Lia asked.

I slapped my forehead, I've forgotten. The clone business is absolutely puzzling.

"Nah," I said, "I would rather hear from you while I'm deciphering this text."

"OK," Lia shrugged and began...

Flashback... (Lia's POV)

After exiting the toilet, I went back to the party, feeling excited. It's not that I don't have a life, in fact, I'm inside Ro and living her life with her but it's good to have opportunities to do stuff myself.

The boy who arrived fashionably late asked to dance with me. I blushed and accepted, he's so handsome! Sometimes Ro thinks I'm her sensitive and lovey dovey side but live once in a while, will you?! I'm doing it for her! So she can see this is how to live! Not that I hate adventure, but don't we all need love?

"I'm Aurora Fate, so who are you?" I asked.

"John Holmes. It's lovely to make your acquaintance."

Hmmm... Holmes... Is he supposed to be some smart ass dude? Interesting...

At that moment, I had a message from the real Ro and complied because why not, I'm interested in him too. First Alex, then Edward and now... I wouldn't mind a harem, it would be interesting. If Ro knew, she would say that why did we read too much of those reverse harems?!

"So what are you doing here? You kinda arrived late, you know?"

John chuckled, "Yeah, I guess so. But don't you know?"

"Know what?" I raised my brows.

"That I'm a famous detective." John replied.

"A famous detective?" I laughed. "I heard of a detective with your name solving numerous cases with intellect beyond an adult's but I have a hard time believing that a child can do it."

"You are a child yourself." John said, "But I understand why you are kinda skeptical." He told me a few of his cases and the way he said it, I knew that he was being truthful.

"Wow," I said softly, "It's amazing you can do it all by yourself even with the unusual combination of lightning and water powers. It's just simply amazing!"

"Thanks," John said, "But I actually had some help."

"Hmm... Who?" I asked, curious.

"A pet of mine, Watson. He's real helpful."

"I know about pets. Ettie, a camagia, trains with me everyday. Pets are always so helpful." I said.

"Yeah, but Watson isn't a camagia and Ettie's a strange name to give for a pet."

"So is Watson," I said and we both laughed.

When the song ended, John asked another lady for a dance, just chillin' out in a party while I spotted Alex and headed toward him. I relayed all I know about John for Ro and then reached close enough to Alex to say, "Hey, what's up?"

"Oh, hi Ro!" Alex said. A second later, I realized he was still with Milan, who just smiled. May be we could be friends.

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked.

"Nothing, I was just bored and I couldn't find my other friends. So, instead, I found you."

"Oh... So what do you think of the party?" Alex asked.

"Great! How 'bout you?"

"It's OK but there are always perks," he smiled at me, then addressed Milan, not wanting to make her third wheel, "What do you think?"

"For my first party, it's awesome. I'm glad to meet some people and hopefully friends," Milan looked at Alex with a smile, "It would probably be more awesome when Kaitou Rubin appears!"

"Kaitou who?" Alex asked. I rolled my eyes. How could he not know?

"How could you not know?" Milan asked him exactly what I thought, "He's an infamous thief who steals stuff and gives back to the owner or the poor. A lot of people say that watching him steal is the most entertaining ever!"

"Stealing stuff and giving it back?" Alex said and shook his head, "What's the whole use of being a thief, then?"

"A lot of people said he's just doing it for fun," Milan said.

"Yeah, I guess his only crime then is humiliating the authorities," I joked and we laughed together.

Then, we saw Red approached Alyssa and they became the center of attention.

"Dear Alyssa, for your birthday and as a sign that I'm happy being your betroth, I give you this necklace," Red opened the box to reveal the most spectacular necklace, Mayura's necklace. A beautiful blue-purple topaz with a silver chain that sparkles with every little movement.

So romantic! Squeee!

"Thank you," Alyssa said, a bit overwhelmed but very happy. Everyone clapped for them until...

An arrow suddenly dropped between Red and Alyssa!

Officers began swarming around to protect us guests and a few were approaching the arrow cautiously.

Then, it suddenly burst into flames and disperse making a nice fire show.

"Get everyone out of here and Aqua team, douse those flames!" Leo roared.

That's what they did and I was ushered outside of the place by some officers. The last thing I heard was "The necklace is gone!" from Red and I was out of the doors, and place inside a large room with reassurances from the officers that we are all safe and they will catch Kaitou Rubin and guard us.

Soon, when they left us in peace, talk burst forth, I found my besties and immediately chatted away.

"OMG, Kaitou Rubin has made such an opening!" Fiona giggled, "I wish I can see more..."

"You are really impressed over a little thing. If you ask me, that was just a diversion tactic so he could steal the necklace. In the end, he's nothing but a thief," Selena commented.

"Yeah, but his heists are always said to be entertaining..." Fiona said.

"True that..." Selena let.

"He already stole the necklace," I said.

"How do you know that?" Elly asked, surprised.

"I heard Red shout that the necklace was gone. Guess the diversion worked. He's a pretty good thief." I said.

"Yeah, but a thief will be a thief and they are all just scum," a voice said.

It was Riana with Clover and another boy I do not know.

"This is Star Tyke, Prince of the Kingdom Zapdos," Riana introduced as she noticed I was staring at him.

My friends and I immediately bowed at him.

"Nice to meet you, and you must be Clover's sister," Star inclined to me. I nodded.

"I've heard a lot about you from Clover here," Star told me, "You are quite cute."

I blushed while murmured a thank you.

A moment later, I could hear a scream of "Oniisan!"

Two girls tackled Star while he lost balance and laughed at the two girls. They were undoubtedly twins, both blond but one with a red streak in their hair and the other blue.

"What's going on you two?" Star asked the twins.

"Oniisan, where were you? We thought that Kaitou Rubin did something to you?" the blue streak twin said.

"Don't be silly," Star smiled.

"Umm... Star, who are they?"Clover asked and smiled at them, which the twins blushed.

"This is Fera," he pointed to the red streaked twin, "-and this is Vera," he pointed to the other one.

"Nice to meet you," Clover said to the twins and they bowed respectfully.

"Speaking of Kaitou Rubin," I said, wanting to make conversation, "Do you think he really will steal Mayura's necklace?"

"Obviously, yes!" Fiona, Rubin fan, said, "He has never failed before!"

"Yeah, but the famous detective has come to stop Kaitou Rubin, right?" Vera said, joining the conversation.

"But didn't you see him entering the party without care. You ask me, the 'great detective' just used Kaitou Rubin as an excuse to enter this glamorous party!" Star scowled.

"May be there was a reason..." Riana said.

"Really," Clover said dryly, "I hope that's true. They will need all the help they can get," he jerked his thumb to Alyssa and Red, who looked like they are in full blown panic.

"I guess-" Fera was interrupted by someone calling, "Ro!"

It was Alex, still with Milan.

"Hey, Alex," I said, heading toward him and suddenly I tripped. What is this? Deja vu?!

Someone caught me. I looked who it was and it was Edward with Suza who was looking at me with dislike. What did Ro do to offend you?!

"You OK?" Edward asked.

"Yeah, guess the floor is slippery..." I said.

"Are you OK?" Clover asked me.

"Yep, you don't have to worry about me," I said.

"Yes, I do! You are my sister!" Clover declared.

"I just tripped, no big deal," I said to Clover who was looking at me insanely. Sheesh, overprotective, much?

Clover rolled his eyes, but said nothing.

BANG!

The awkwardness was then broken as everyone present swiveled around to see what was going on.

A black scorch mark could be seen near Princess Alyssa who looked pale and shock with Riana (how did she get there?!) clutching her and Red, near them looking shock.

As far as everyone was concerned, including the guards who burst into the room the moment they heard it, an assassination attempt was made on Alyssa but who would do such a thing?

"Are you OK?" Red asked Alyssa, who still looked in shock.

"Yes," Alyssa said, "... yes, I'll live. Who... who would do such a thing?!"

Not a second before those words came out of her mouth, another BANG came out from who knows where.

Riana put up a shield before any real damage was done. Many people scattered out of the way, far away from Alyssa, to the side.

The guards came and tried to protect Alyssa. Red, holding Alyssa now, was backing away to the guards and Riana, in front of everyone shouted boldly, "Show yourself, you coward!"

A swish was heard instead and a dagger was flying towards Riana. Next second, the dagger could be seen cut in half beside Riana who was actually holding a lightsaber!

It was a glowing blue stick just like in Star Wars and I was like, 'Holy Luke Skywalker!'

"You cowards!" Riana shouted again, "Trying to assassinate the Princess of Kyogre when that thief is stealing the necklace! Fight like a man!"

Another swish but this time, it was a person dressed in all black and his face hidden in a mask, exactly assassin like, and holding a laser gun in one hand and an ordinary dagger in the other, he shot at Alyssa and swung the dagger at Riana.

A shield was immediately propped up around Alyssa and with the lightsaber, Riana cut down the dagger and clocked the man. Of course, she didn't kill the man. Some do, sure but mostly, they just knock unconscious because everyone just lets the jury of law to put sentences on the condemned.

You see, when anyone wants to punish or execute someone, they put them in front the law where they have a few dark users to summon curses and put on them and the condemned will live a cursed life for how long, which depends on their sentence. Cursed lives are where people will face bad luck and near death experiences, never a peaceful moment and their appearance will rot like a fish in a drought covered with butter, moldy cream and inedible sprinkles, in the oven for a day. That's how terrible they look.

Mostly, much more civilized than killing but doesn't mean the crime rate has decreased much...

Everyone was staring at that man, unaware of another swiping his sword on Alyssa...

"LOOK OUT!" I shouted. I ran to that man and blocked his sword with my staff which was summoned out of nowhere.

After Ro revealed she had ice and lightning powers, the plain ol' staff was transformed into an ice staff that could freeze anything it touches if you want it to and perform various ice moves that you want. But that's not all it could do.

After the parry, the assassin snarled at me but that's all he did after I split the staff into lightning whips and whipped him around and finally shocking him.

More assassins arrived, it looked like a planned attack to assassinate Princess Alyssa and everyone was petrified to the spot as more attacks came from the assassins.

The guards were doing everything they could but after a barrage attack like that, they were knocked out cold. Riana and I were still standing but for how long?

All 8 of them lunged at us, ready on the kill. It looked like the end for us until...

Thwang! Swish!

An elf girl for her pointed ears and a wolf man for a bit too much fur shot arrows and swung his sword toward the assassins which took out half the numbers while Riana and I took the rest.

There was a split second of silence and once everyone was very sure that there are no longer any more assassins, a babble of talk burst forth.

The elf tried to rouse the guards while the wolfman tied up the assassins to be questioned and punished later. Alyssa, regaining her senses, used her water magic to heal Riana and me while Red, finally aware and not in shock anymore, was regarding the place warily, worried that there were more assassins to finish the job. But he need not worry, it's over now.

Alyssa's magic really did the cake. Riana and I were all right now with Clover fussing all over me and my friends literally awing at what I just did. Alex just patted me with Milan hugging me, for my deed and Edward just smiled as Suza narrowed her eyes. Star hugged Riana while the twins just grinned but there was something creepy...

As for the elf and the wolfman, once they did their jobs, they introduced themselves to us.

"I'm Zelda Klef and this is Sloan Verne," the elf introduced to herself and the wolfman, who just nodded. We all introduced ourselves back while thanking them for their assistance.

"Zel! Sloan! Are you OK?" A kid my age was running toward them. Brown messy hair that probably couldn't be tamed, grey eyes and had the aura of cheerfulness and maybe mischief in him. An older boy followed him, having the same brown hair and grey eyes but with a more dignified air in him.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm alright," Zelda told the boy, "You worry too much."

"Who's that?" Vera asked, taking an interest in the younger boy.

"That's Nate Oslo," Zelda said, gesturing to the younger, "and Greg, his brother." The older one nodded.

Introductions were made again and suddenly the air became tense again. Milan, probably the most innocent and naive, was unused to this and asked, "What?"

"Someone tried to assassinate Alyssa," Riana said, stating the obvious.

"And," Milan prompted, still not getting it.

"And that means someone is plotting against the Kyogre royalty. This could lead to devastating political chaos." Red added grimly.

"What?!" Milan cried, "How could an assassination attempt turned into political chaos?! Isn't that too overboard?"

"Milan," Alex said patiently, "Alyssa and Red are both powerful people and also betrothed to each other. Together, their kingdoms will be unstoppable and will be a major threat to others. So some might want to eliminate this problem, get it?"

Milan looked confused at first but slowly nodded in understanding. The Kyogre and Reshiram Kingdoms are exceptionally skilled in healing and attack. Put together...(shudder) no wonder someone wanted to eliminate them. However, why Alyssa?

Before I could ask this question, Red asked, "How do you know all this?" He sounded suspicious.

Alex shrugged, "I just read a lot of books. I've gained a lot of info."

A few in the group still looked a bit suspicious. Just to break the tension, I said, "Why Alyssa?"

Riana spoke up this time, "Why else, she's a girl! Girls are known to be weak and fragile so they thought that she could make an easy target."

"No, we are not!" Zelda spoke up, "How could you think that?!"

"Look at the evidence!" Riana shot back, "Who else are molested, assaulted, assassinated the most?"

"That's right!" Riana said after a beat of silence, "Us! It has always been like that in this world..." the last sentence was muttered but it was an odd comment. This world... So for her, there is more than one world and that may mean...

But I refused to deterred and mostly to break the nasty silence, "But why now, it's been nearly a year they have been betrothed. They could have struck any time in less guarded parties and plenty of distraction."

That held true and as the old tension broke, a new one spread with Clover whispering but still could be heard, "I don't know, Ro."

The silence was now broken by someone stirring. It was one of the assassins who struggle to break free of his bindings. Alyssa looked grim and moved to the assassin. Greg looked like he wanted to stop her, probably as a gentleman, but Red held him back, shaking his head and looking at the assassin with a morose and kinda pity look.

Uh oh...

"Did you enjoy your little nap?" Alyssa asked to the assassin, "I hope you did, considering you tried to kill me."

The assassin just spat at her. The guards who saw this came forward to the assassin but Alyssa shot them a look, not wanting to be disturbed. The guards apparently didn't like that look and backed away a stride or two.

She turned the same gaze on the assassin and for someone emotionless, it was astonishing to see him flinch under the glare of a supposedly sweet natured 8 year old.

"Who hired you?" Alyssa said, straight to the point and cold as ice.

"I'm not telling you," the assassin said, short but no could fail to hear the shudder in it.

Alyssa approached towards him until they were an inch from the other's face.

"One last time," Alyssa said, "who hired you or else..." she left the threat hanging delicate in the air.

"I'm not telling you," the assassin repeated again.

At that, Alyssa smiled mirthlessly, her eyes still devoid of any emotion and the assassin paled a shade.

"Well, I warned you. So be it," she stood up gracefully and looked at the guards, with a totally warmer expression. It was totally astonishing that her demeanour could change so quickly."

She came to them, all smiles and whispered something to one of their ears. The guard paled something ghostly white.

"Are you sure?!" He asked and looking at the assassin, he sat emotionless, on the edge of bored. Without that little girl, he suddenly became as emotionless as ice.

Alyssa nodded once and the guard whispered something to his other. He paled but he followed his fellow to drag the assassins away. Everybody looked at Alyssa funny who turned back to her normal demeanour and said, "Well, that was an interesting day."

Despite not seeing Kaitou Rubin's heist.

...

End flashback (back to Ro's POV)

"... And after waiting a while, guards suddenly came along with that Holmes and they searched us but later let us all go. It was an eventful day nonetheless." Lia ended her story.

I'm almost finished cracking this dastardly puzzle using the computer to help me out and looked up after a while.

"So assassins actually arrived and tried to kill Alyssa?" I asked.

Lia just nodded.

"Do you know what happened to them?"

Lia shook her head. That felt ominous.

A ding sound could be heard and looking at the computer, I cried with joy.

"I cracked it. I finally cracked it!"