The COMPLETE Murder Mystery

[Roxy]

This is everything---please don't reply until I say so that I have the whole thing together and people won't have to search through the pages.

The Mystery At The Neopian Times Ball
by roxycaligirl101

Part One:
<p><i>This is one of those mysteries that you can figure out who has done it! I suggest you watch out for clues and pay close attention to the details. Can you
figure out who is behind all the weird happenings at the Neopian Times Ball? Good luck and remember everything isn’t always what it seems!</i></p>

<p>Being a once-published Times author, I felt it was an honor to receive an invitation to the Neopian Times Ball. I didn't think I deserved the honor to attend
an event alongside the famous Neopian Times legends. I heard about the person planning the plan was the famous roxycaligirl101, called Rox by her closest friends.
Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people. You might not have heard of her personally, but I am sure you've heard of her parties. Rox throws the most
extravagant parties around. I've attended a few in her Neohome, which was packed with people and Neopets. I never did get to meet the hostess herself, but from what I've heard she was quite a cheerful delight. Rox's most famous party lasted seven
days in a row-- I can't even imagine. </p>

<p>I was instructed to bring my invitation; normally, all of Rox's parties are open
to the public, but for this special event she changed the rules. I heard rumors that
some Aisha-- I think his name was Clyde-- broke in her home in the middle of one
of her bashes, and stole her most prized possession. She was afraid to lose
anymore valuables, she hiked up security (but that is only a rumor). I mean, I don't
think the infamous "Clyde" exists, anyway. I did hear from a reliable source that
Rox had a brand-new security system installed, and that it rivaled even the one at
the Neopian Bank! I wasn't worried about crime, or anything out of the ordinary
happening at the Ball; just some good food, dancing, and crazy authors. I never
would have known that the joyous occasion to celebrate the greatest newspaper in
all of Neopia could turn so tragic. </p>

<p>It took awhile to select my attire for Neopian Times Ball. The invitation stated it
was a semi-formal occasion. I decided to wear simple black pants, belt, and t-shirt.
I didn't want to get too dressed up, and certainly didn't want to look under-dressed.
I remember, I once read in the Neopian Times that black was, and would always be,
in style, so I decided to wear it. I lived only a few blocks from Rox's manor, so I
walked the dark street of Wishing Well Drive, Neopian Central, to get there. The sky
overhead was blanketed in dark clouds, and the moon was no where to be seen.
</p>

<p>I stopped in front of a mansion, marked 145861. The house was bursting with
light and I could hear the music from where I was standing on the street. I strolled
along the pathway, and through the regal front gardens, to the doorway. A rather
large, Fire Grarrl was standing next to the door. He was muscular, and looked as if
he could defeat anyone-- even the Snowager-- with a single punch. At the time, it
seemed rather odd that that typical tough guy was sipping a cup of Tigersquash
Cappucino. </p>

<p>The Grarrl stuck out his paw, and boomed loudly, "Name and invitation!" </p>

<p>"Ian," I answered, handing the bouncer my invitation. The Grarrl studied it
carefully, and gave it back to me. </p>

<p> "Enjoy the party," the Fire Grarrl told me, as he opened the doors to the
mansion. I nodded a thank you as I entered the large entrance hall. A luxurious,
red sofa sat in the center with a pine table in front of it. While crimson pots, and
chairs fit for royalty were placed in every corner of the room, where numerous
guests lounged and chatted. </p>

<p>Down the hall was the dining room, from which the caterers dashed back and
forth between the kitchen, preparing a large feast for the guests. Rox always went
all-out when it came to her parties, and I knew this one wouldn't disappoint
me. I hadn't been in the party for more than two seconds, when a rather petite
brunette bumped into me-- literally. She had accidentally spilled her drink all over
my black shirt. </p>

<p>"I am so sorry!" she apologized, as she grabbed some napkins and began to
dap the stain on my shirt. "I am really sorry! I really didn't mean to!" The woman
began to tremble. "I just saw Simsman24000, and I totally lost myself for a minute.
I think it's just my nerves, I'm not used to being around these legends. Especially
someone as cute as Sims." She stopped dabbing, and let out a deep sigh as she
thought about the infamous ladies man and author known as Sims. </p>

<p> "It's quite alright," I interrupted her, and stopped her from trying to remove
her drink from shirt. </p>

<p> "What a terrible accident," an eccentric fellow commented as he appeared next
to Rainbowface94. He was dressed in head to toe in bright red; his shirt even had a
bottle of ketchup on it. "You know ketchup always gets out all the stains. Ketchup is
the best product ever invented," he informed me. </p>

<p> "Oh shut up, Tahu! Ketchup can't do everything!" Rainbow, the scatter-brained
brunette cried with a tone of half-joking, half-annoyance. It was rather obvious she
had met this ketchup nut before. </p>

<p> "Little do you know, Rainbow. Little do you know about ketchup, it can do
anything," Tahu673 answered, before he trotted off to talk to man that looked as
though there were dung stains all over his clothes. I must have misread the
invitation-- who shows up at a semi-formal with dung stained attire? I must have
forgotten that I wasn't around just normal folk anymore-- I was among authors. I
had a feeling the ketchup-obsessed fellow and his comrade were just the beginning
of the crazies I would meet tonight. </p>

<p> "Sorry about that, Tahu is weird but pretty harmless, most of the time," she
said amiably, staring at the stain at my shirt. Her face creased into a frown. "I
really am sorry." </p>

<p> "It's alright," I assured her. "It was just an accident." </p>

<p> "I guess you're right," she said, the glum look lifting. "I am Rainbow, by the
way." </p>

<p> "Ian," I introduced myself, and extended my hand. She grasped it rather
firmly and shook quite hard. </p>

<p>I’d never had a woman so tightly latched onto my arm. "That's quite a
handshake you got there." </p>

<p> "Oh thanks," she giggled, as she tucked a strand of long brown hair behind her
ear. </p>

<p> "Rainbow? Is that you?" a voice called across the room. The owner of said
voice, a young woman with auburn locks, flipped out hair and crossed the room.
She wore a sky blue top, black skirt, and knee high boots to
match.</p>

<p> "Hey Rox!" Rainbow waved. "I’m surprised you recognized me."</p>

<p> "How couldn't I? I have a great memory when it comes to names and faces,"
she said pulling Rainbow into a friendly hug, and then turning to me. "You must be
Ian-I’ve heard so much about you. You really did have an amazing story in the
Neopian Times. D’you plan to write more?"</p>

<p> "I am currently working on a sequel," I informed her.</p>

[Roxy]

<p>"That's great. I can't wait to read it," she said genuinely, and turned to
Rainbow. "What about you?"</p>

<p> "A comic in the works, but nothing too special," Rainbow answered casually
with a shrug.</p>

<p> "Madame Rox!" A voice teasingly called across the room. A man strode over in
the white outfit of a chef, complete with the goofy hat.</p>

<p> "Are you a chef or a writer?" I asked, stupidly.</p>

<p> "Both," Yadoking answered calmly, as though he had that question had been
asked of him a million times.</p>

<p> "Yado is a great talent in both fields. I've never catered a party without his
help," Rox said, grinning. "What happened to your shirt, Ian?" She asked, and
pointed to the stain on my shirt. Rainbow's faced turned redder than the
ketchup-crazed man's suit.</p>

<p> "There was a bit of accident," I told her, and looked down at my shirt. Rox
must have had quite an eye, as the stain was barely visible on my black shirt.</p>

<p>"I heard that ketchup gets out stains," Yado informed us.</p>

<p> "Let me guess you heard that from: Tahu?" Rox asked.</p>
<p> "Actually, Matterbug_adoption. He claimed that dung gets out stains, too. I
highly doubt it, though because why use dung to remove a dung stain?" Yado
mused.</p>

<p> "Tahu and Matt are known for spreading rumors about. Their favorites are
about ketchup and dung, but they did tell me an interesting one about you, Rox,"
Rainbow interjected, trying to change the subject.</p>

<p> "About me?" Rox questioned, puzzled.</p>

<p> "Did you really get robbed the great Clyde the Aisha Theif?" Rainbow asked,
interested in the response.</p>

<p> "Clyde? He doesn't exist! He's a myth, no one could steal from Fyora without
getting caught!" Yado declared.</p>

<p> "I did get robbed last weekend by Aishas, I know that-- but I doubt it was
Clyde. His existance is not even confirmed, and why would he steal from
<I>me</I>? He wouldn't waste his time at my Neohome, when he could steal from
Fyora or the Pant Devil," Rox replied honestly. "I did put in a new secuirty system,
like the one Yado has at his work and own home. Although, I have been having
problems with it lately. You think you can help me out, Yado?" she asked.</p>

<p> "But of course," Yado answered.</p>

<p> "If you'd please excuse us," said Rox, as she and Yado disappeared into the
crowd, muttering about codes and technological terms that neither Rainbow nor I
could understand.</p>

<p> "Oh my <I>Borovan</I>!" Rainbow screamed suddenly. I spun to her,
confused on what would make her scream at the top of her lungs.</p>

<p> "What? What is it? What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. She didn't reply,
simply pointed across the room with a trembling hand. </p>
<p><i> To be continued...</i> </p>

<p><i> For: Wolf, for keeping me sane when I was on the brink of insanity and her
fantastic editing abilities! All the authors that wanted to be involved and gave to me
not only their names, but billions of wacky and creative possiblities! I’d have to say
without each and everyone of them this would not be possible. Thanks to all of
them and this series is for all of you! Please feel free to Neomail me! May the Borovan
be with you, as you read. Thanks for reading! </i> </p>

[Roxy]

Part Two:
<p> After my new companion’s sudden scream and her refusal to tell me what was
wrong I whipped around to see what Rainbow was pointing at. Her shaking hand
was pointed at at a young woman, with shoulder-length brown hair and distinct
white lock that framed her face. I was completely puzzled on why this normal
looking woman would make anyone scream. "What’s wrong with her? Why did she
make you scream?"</p>

<p>"It's Child_dragon!" She screeched, the chatter growing quiet around us. The
other guests of the Neopian Ball began to turn and stare. "It's Kiddo!" Rainbow
hollered, and began to jump up and down, her hand still pointing at the author
across the room. Everyone who has ever written for The Neopian Times has heard
of Kiddo: she's a legend. Kiddo is one of those writers that everyone wishes they
could be, and strives to be just as excellent as her.
<p> "Shhh!" I hushed her, as I tried to pull down her extended hand.</p>

<p> "KIDDO!" she screamed, as she raced across the room and pulled the confused
author into a hug. She jumped around Kiddo like a Wind-Up Quiggle Toy, and began
to chatter a mile a minute. Most other authors would have been horrified by this
experience, but the talented Kiddo some how managed to keep her cool and smile
sweetly, as though it happened to her every day-- chances are, it did. I ducked
away into the crowd, almost embarrassed by my new acquaintance’s behavior. I felt
a tap on my shoulder, and spun around to see a petite woman with hair of fire, and
rather large, pointy ears. She looked at me with lucid, emerald eyes, so dark and
enchanting they were almost frightening. I found out her name later was Patjade.</p>

<p>"Were you just talking to Rox?" she questioned me. I knew I had seen this
strange, almost elven, woman before, but I couldn't figure out exactly where.</p>

<p> "I was," I replied. </p>

<p> "Where did she go?" </p>

<p> "Off with Yado." </p>

<p> "We have to warn her that Buddy33774 is here," She exclaimed. </p>

<p> "Buddy? Who's Buddy?" </p>

<p> "Look, I don't want to explain everything, but trust me: Buddy is the last
person in Neopia Rox would want to see right now. Will you help me look for her?" I
didn't quite understand what warning Rox about this "Buddy" was all about-- could
he possibly be the Aisha thief that robbed her house? I didn't know the whole story,
but by the urgent look on the women's face I knew I had to help her find Rox. "So
are you going to help or not? If not, I'll find someone else who will."

<p> "I'll help," I said, puffing up my chest. </p>

<p> "Great! You take that side of the house," she said, as she waved her hand to
the left. "And I'll take the other half. Just tell Rox, if you find her, that Buddy is
here," she called as she dashed off to the right. I turned and began scanning the
room to the left, looking for any traces of Rox. I spotted the top of a chef's hat
across the room-- it had to be Yado’s, and he'd know where Rox was. I ran as fast
as I could, and squeezed my way through the crowd over to the chef, whose back
was turned to me. He was peering into the crack of a slightly opened door.

<p> "Yado, I just heard Buddy is here. Someone told me we should warn Rox," I
huffed, and place my hands on my knees.

<p> The chef turned to me with a finger over his lips and pointed to the crack in
the door, then pulled me to the side and opened it a tad more. We could see into
the kitchen: Rox was leaning against the stone counter, with her arms crossed and
a look of hatred burning in her eyes. There also stood a man, with spiked, dirty
blonde hair. He wore a black shirt and jeans. The chain around his neck shined as
he yelled, and like Rox his eyes held the same look of hatred.

<p> "I can't believe you! You went behind my back and your rotten Shoyru stole
the position of advice columnist from my Lupe!" Buddy hollered loudly.

<p> "I heard about the Times looking for an advice columnist weeks before you
did! I'm sorry that my pet got the job and yours didn't, but don't go blaming me!"
Rox growled.

<p> "There is no way your pitiful Roxy could be a better advice columnist than
Bey," Buddy sneered. "You had to do something to get that job! There is no way
Roxy could get it on her own talent!

<p> "Excuse me?! Bey wouldn't know how to give advice if it smacked her on the
muzzle!"

<p> "You'll pay, Rox! The Times isn't big enough for the both of us and I'm not
going to be the one that leaves," Buddy snapped.

<p> "Is that a threat?" Rox asked, a bit shaken by the conversation.

<p> "You and your precious little Shoyru better be careful! You never know what
can happen when your backs are turned," Buddy warned, as he stormed across the
kitchen. Yado quickly shut the door and grabbed my arm dragging me away from
the door. I was no longer able to hear anything, but Yado, closest to the door,
listened in on what I missed. It took awhile to for Buddy to come out of the kitchen.
Yado told me it was because Buddy couldn't figure out exactly how the door worked.
He kept on pushing at it, until Rox informed him he had to pull it open.

<p>As the door of the kitchen creaked open Yado turned to me, "Uhhh... So, one
White Weewoo said to the other White Weewoo, ‘That's a pretty blue sky over
there.’" Yado paused for a second to catch is breath; he was speaking so fast it was
becoming difficult to understand him. "And the other White Weewoo says to the
other White Weewoo, ‘It's a Pteri nice day.’" We both began to explode in fake
laughter at the not-so-funny joke. Buddy shot us a dirty look as he strode angrily
into the crowd.

<p> "You think he knew we were listening?" I asked.

<p> "I don't know, but I think using Sim’s White Weewoo joke was a pretty good
cover. I'm glad he told me that bad joke earlier tonight-- who would know it would
come in handy."

<p>Another voice cut through our conversation. "Yado? Where is Rox? She owes
me a dance. I remember last time we danced was at Rox's birthday party, and let
me tell you, that girl knows how to move! I knew that someone could make me look
better than I already am on the dance floor. The ladies just can't keep their hands
off me." The handsome fellow grinned as he crossed the room. He wore all white
and, the women stared at him as he walked by. It was the infamous, Sims who
captured the heart of any girl, no matter who she was.

<p> "Hey Sims! Rox is a little preoccupied right now," Yado said, as he slid in front
of the kitchen door. Sims glanced at Yado, then at me.

<p> "Hey man! Sims is the name-- ask any girl here," Sims said, as he shook my
hand.

<p> "Ian," I replied.

[Roxy]

<p> "Why are we hanging outside the kitchen when the drinks are inside?" Sims
asked, as he pushed Yado out of the way and opened the door.

<p> "Sims! NO!" Yado said, reaching to grab the opening kitchen door. It was too
late-- Sims had entered the kitchen, and we crept in slowly behind him. Rox was
staring at the floor intensely.

<p> "Rox, girl! Why do you look so down? Let the Sims-Man cheer you up! We'll
dance away," Sims cried as he salsad over to her. "Let's spice up, senorita. You owe
me a dance!"

<p> "What's wrong, Rox?" Rainbow asked, as she appeared at my side.

<p> "Nothing!" Rox said, as she strode quickly out of the kitchen. Yado turned to
go after her, but Sims threw out an arm and stopped him.

<p> "Yado, man, I know ladies, and she needs time by herself. She must be really
upset; she didn't want to dance with me! Who doesn't want to dance with me?"
Sims asked, confused. No one, not even Pop Tart herself, would turn down a dance
with Sims.

<p> "I'll dance with you!" Rainbow declared as she stared into his chocolate eyes,
almost entranced by his good looks.<p>

<p> "I still got it," Sims grinned, and turned to us. "Why are we hanging out in
here? The party is out there." Yado and I followed Sims and Rainbow out of the
kitchen as Sims continued.<p>

<p>"You don't seem like a salsa type of girl. No, you seem like a disco girl all the
way. I could hustle 'til dawn!" Rainbow giggled, as the handsome Sims began to
dance around her, shaking his hips and waving his arms. He hummed some
old seventies song as he danced. While he danced his perfectly groomed hair didn’t
move a bit. Rainbow began to dance with him and mimic his movements; she knew
how lucky she was to be dancing with Sims.
<p> "Why do all the ladies like him, again?" I asked Yado.<p>

<p> "I have no idea," he whispered back.

<p>Sims stood in the midst of a crowd of women. "This reminds me of this joke:
what did the Disco Shoyru say to the Pant Devil?" Before Sims could announce the
punch-line, a scream interrupted him. A woman in an ostentatious, sequined blue
dress appeared, screeching in hysteria, and sobbing. Sims, quickly forgetting about
his joke, as well as dancing with Rainbow, rushed to her. Yado, Rainbow and I
quickly followed Sims. The guests began to gather around Wolfofthewoods,
concerned about what had upset her so much.

<p> "Lady Wolfina, what happened?" Sims asked, genuinely worried. Lady Wolfina
wrapped her arms around Sims, and rested her trembling head on his shoulder. He
patted her back gently, as he whispered word of comfort. Lady Wolfina mumbled
something between sobs, but no one not even Sims could quite catch it. "Come
again?" he asked. Lady Wolfina repeated herself, but still no one could decipher her
words.

<p> "She said she saw something in the bathroom," a voice rang out loudly. Lady
Wolfina nodded in agreement with the statement. A blue dragon, in a rather spiffy
tux, continued, "You humans can never hear anything. You can't even hear your
own kind."

<p> Yado and I exchanged looks of confusion at the random appearance of the blue
dragon-- how could we have not seen the towering blue reptile earlier? We didn't
think about it too much; after all, he did tell us what Lady Wolfina had said. I had
already met an elven woman, and a ketchup-obsessed freak with a dung-loving
companion. The blue dragon seemed more normal than some of the other human
guests.

<p> "I'll check it out," Yado announced.

<p> "I'm going with you," I added. Yado began to lead the slow walk down the dark
hallway to the bathroom, and I followed close behind. The other party guests waited
outside the hallway, trying to comfort the hysterical Lady Wolfina, and
waiting to see what was down the corridor. A women with dirty blonde hair and
glasses appeared, and crept down the hallway with us.

<p> "You sure you want to go with us, Gentle_lil_Queen?" Yado asked.

<p> "Yado, I'm not scared of anything," she declared. "Why should I let you two
boys have all the fun?" She grinned, and began to quicken her pace. GLQ was a
fireball, and wasn't afraid of anything.

<p> "Shhh!" Yado whispered as we crept closer to the bathroom. The door was
halfway open, and light from inside beamed down the dark hallway. Yado pushed
the door to the bathroom open slowly. Towels, bottles of shampoo, soap, and other
beauty products were scattered all over the floor, as though they had fallen from a
shelves. Some of the bottles were leaking their contents all over the floor. There
were marks of boot prints and other signs of a struggle in the spilled products.<p>

<p>Yado closely inspected the boot-prints--they belonged to Rox.</p>

<p> "What do you think happened?" I asked, as we stared at the floor in shock. </p>

<p> "Look!" GLQ screamed and pointed to the bathroom mirror. Written across the
mirror in dripping, blue soap was, 'Rox refused to stop writing for the Times and
she'll never be seen again! Stop writing or suffer the same fate!' </p>

<p><i>What happened to Rox? I can't tell you, but it's just the beginning of the
mystery that is about to unravel at the Neopian Times Ball...</i> </p>

<p><i> To be continued... </i> </p>

[Roxy]

Part Three:
<p>GLQ, Yado, and myself stared, unable to move in shock, at the cryptic message
written across the bathroom mirror. We weren't really sure what to think of it-- was
Rox really abducted, or was this some sick joke? We stood, gawking at the message
for at least ten minutes, before we returned to the main room. GLQ informed the
waiting guests of why what we had seen on the bathroom mirror.
Sims had led Lady Wolfina away, and sat her down. He was able to calm her down
so that she wasn't as hysterical as before, but she was still a wreck. Her face was
covered in black smudges, from her crying which made her mascara run.

<p> "It's a joke," the Blue-Dragon-with-excellent-hearing-and-tux declared loudly.
"I bet Rox just wanted to set us up. It's one of those roleplay murder mystery
things!"

<p> "Bluey, we know Rox should would have told someone if she was planning to
have a Murder Mystery roleplay," a woman in an elegant and elaborate, medieval
gown from Meridell, and leather jacket announced. "Besides, why would she make
the game just for Times Authors? It doesn't add up."

<p> "Mina, it does add up! It's common sense-- who would abduct a bunch of crazy
Neopian Times authors?" Bluey, the dragon asked.

<p> "Someone crazy. ‘Hate it break it to you, Bluey but this Ball here is full of
them," Mina countered.

<p> "Right she is," a man with crazy locks of tentacle-like hair agreed.

<p> "Of course you'd take her side, Neo_tomi," Bluey exclaimed.

<p> "I would not! I just think she's right," Neo_tomi stuttered and looked around
frantically. "What? Can't I think she's right?"

<p> "Neo_tomi, the only reason you are siding with her is because--" Bluey began;
but before he could finish, his statement he was interrupted by short man with
black hair and dark, lucid eyes,

<p> "Lady Wolfina, why did you go to the bathroom?" I snorted at the obvious
question.

<p> "I think that's pretty self explanatory, Cheshil," the famous Kiddo laughed.

<p> "Huh?" Cheshil asked, confused and not seeing the foolishness of his question.

<p> "Well, why does anyone go the bathroom?" Ieva, a white-haired elven
knightress joked. I wasn't fond of Ieva much-- she was a member of an old guild
that we were once members of. Let's just leave at we don't exactly have a good
history together. She isn't a bad person, but she's just very weird and uses her
magical powers way too much. I can't tell you how many times I've been shot with
a bit of ice by Ieva. She's worse than the Snowager!

<p> "To communicate with boxes!" Cheshil declared loudly, and began to jump
around in a fit of insanity. "Lady Wolfina is associated with boxes! She's associated
with boxes! Ahh! Get her!" Cheshil ranted as though Lady Wolfina had committed
some sort of crime for going to the bathroom. He was a bit of disturbed author, and
hated boxes more than anything. He believed that everything and anything that
wasn't right was the doing of boxes. I always tried to avoid Cheshil; his rantings
about boxes could be interested at first but an hour later it’s just annoying.
<p> "Cheshil, how many times do I have to tell you boxes aren’t evil!" A voice
crackled from the corner of the room. The mysterious ginger23456 sat by her
lonesome in a dark gown that made her snow white skin glow. I had seen Ginger at
a couple of Rox’s other parties she never spoke or left the corner of the room, she
was your typical "lone Lupe."
<p> "Lady Wolfina and you, Ginger, are associated with the boxes," Cheshil
declared.

<p> "My dear Cheshil, I don't associate with squares. I'm way too popular for that,"
Lady Wolfina replied as she pulled out a compact mirror. She snapped it open,
stared at her reflection, began to wipe the mascara streaks from her face and
reapply her makeup. While she made herself beautiful again, she told her story. "I
wanted to powder my nose and freshen up. I was walking down the hall when I
heard Rox say something. Well, then I heard the sounds of things being knocked
over. I knocked on the door, and everything got quiet. Then the door creaked open,
and I saw...what they saw, and I rushed out here."

<p> "I don't think it's a joke, and I think it's pretty obvious who took her," Yado
interjected in a serious tone.

<p> "Who?" Sims asked, curious.

<p> "BUDDY!" Yado cried.

<p> "Buddy?" Rainbow repeated, puzzled. She stared up at me scanning my face
for traces of knowledge about why Yado would accuse Buddy, but I feigned shock
and puzzlement like the other guests.

<p> "Did someone say my name?" Buddy asked, appearing from the hallway with a
happy and carefree spring in his step. Buddy looked completely different from the
person I saw yelling at the hostess less than hour before.

<p> "You took Rox!" Yado called. "I'll make you pay for taking my friend!" Yado
began to advance, but was held back Tahu. The Ketchup Nut held one arm while his
dung-stained companion, Matt, held the other.

<p> "What?" Buddy asked confused. "Yado, I think you've been cooking too much
with rotten vegetables."

<p> "I don't cook with rotten vegetables!" Yado growled, and struggled in Matt and
Tahu's grasp.

<p> "You took her?" Matt asked Buddy casually, as though he was asking how the
weather in Tyrannia was today.

<p> "Took who where?" Buddy cried in confusion.

<p> "You kidnapped Rox!" Yado accused.
<p> "I didn't do anything-- honest!" Buddy yelled.

<p> "I don't know, Yado. Buddy doesn't seem smart or boxy enough to pull off
something as evil as kidnapping Rox," Cheshil observed. "Are you sure?"

<p> "He threatened her in the kitchen less than a half an hour ago! I heard it and
so did Ian," Yado cried. The group gasped and all eyes turned to Buddy.

<p> "Is this true, Buddy?" A fiery-haired elven woman I’d met earlier that night
asked in shock. All the guests had a lot of respect for Lady Jade Phoenix, also
known as Patjade. Every time she talked, a hush would instantly fall on the room.

<p> "Uhhh," Buddy stammered.

<p> "Did he really threaten her?" she asked, turning her attention to Yado.

<p> "Yes, Lady Jade Phoenix! He really did!" Yado stated. "Even ask Ian!" I felt the
group's eyes shift toward me, and I slowly began to back up. I always hated being
the center of attention.

<p> "What did he say, Ian?" Lady Jade Phoenix, the red headed woman,
questioned, turning to me.

[Roxy]

<p> "Well..uhh..." I stammered, sounding almost exactly like Buddy did two
seconds prior. I looked at Buddy's face. He was silently pleading for me to not say a
word about what happened in the kitchen.

<p> "Ian! What did he say?" GLQ demanded, and slammed her foot against the
ground in frustration. "Tell us!"

<p> "Uhh," I continued to hesitate, not sure if I should lie for Buddy, or tell the
truth. All eyes on me didn't help much, either.

<p> "It's alright Ian, you can tell the truth," Rainbow encouraged, and squeezed
my arm. I smiled at her and took a big breath, before I mumbled,

<p> "He told her to watch her back, and that the Times wasn't big enough for the
two of them, and someone had to quit, and it wouldn't be him." The other guests
began to slowly inch away from Buddy, afraid he might reach out and kidnap one of
them. Ieva remained in place, but lowered her hand the sword at her side, ready to
defend herself if Buddy chose to attack. Not that Ieva needed the sword--she had
other ways to defend herself without aide of the steel weapon.

<p> "See, it proves Buddy took Rox!" Yado announced.

<p> "He was pretty jealous when Roxy got the job as the advice columnist over
Bey," Tahu informed the group.

<p> "He complained to me for hours about how it wasn't fair," the brown-haired
and feisty vixen, Teghan62 confessed. Teghan was very similar to GLQ, they were
the type of women that could take care and defend themselves at any time or any
place. No one in their right mind would try and kidnap GLQ or Teghan. They might
succeed in taking them, but the girls wouldn't go down without a fight. I know I
wouldn’t want to mess with them.

<p> "I wasn't jealous!" Buddy yelled in defense.

<p> "You seemed pretty jealous in the kitchen!" Yado countered.

<p> "You were spying on us!" Buddy spat back.

<p> "Do you admit you did threaten her?" Yado asked.

<p> "Well...yes," Buddy admitted while the guests gasped. "I mean no," Buddy
answered confused on what he had actually done. "Oh, Fyora! I didn't mean it like
that, I swear."

<p> "It seems pretty obvious to us what you meant," Patjade answered, as the rest
of the guests nodded in agreement.

<p> "So, Buddy, where were you when Rox disappeared?" Kiddo asked
suspiciously.

<p> "No where," Buddy replied defensively.
<p> "Who were you with?" Teghan shot the question across the floor to prove
Buddy's guilt.

<p> "No one," Buddy answered. He definatly seemed he had something to hide as
he shot back quick two word replies back at the questions.

<p> "What were you doing?" A dark-haired man with piercing green eyes asked,
with a dark eyebrow raised. Stal0s was always uber-cool, but at the moment he
seemed uber-suspicious of Buddy. I had met the man once before, in the
Catacombs: his name was Stal. He always, no matter what he did, maintained his
cool reputation.

<p> "Kidnapping ROX," Yado screeched in answer for Buddy.

<p> "I didn't do anything! Doesn't anyone believe me?" Buddy cried, and looked
around the room in panic. He looked like a wild Uni, surrounded by a pack of Lupes
and about to be attacked-- someone interrupted this with a shout,

<p> "I do!" We looked around, as a women with purple hair stepped out from the
group and joined Buddy's side.

<p> "Thanks, Steff," Buddy sighed with relief, glad that he wasn't alone.
Plushieowner, better known as Steff, was very brave to stand up for him, and to go
against the flow of the crowd. I'm not sure I'd ever have the courage to do what
she did.

<p> "How you can you believe him? He threatened her and followed through with
the threat! In addition, he has no alibis! He’s guiltier than the Pant Devil. I suppose
you believe the Pant Devil is innocent, too?" Yado snarled at Steff.

<p> "We don't know if Buddy is guilty or not, and we don't even know if Rox is
really missing," Steff defend on his behalf. "Look, I know Buddy, and he wouldn't
hurt Rox."

<p> "Then, why did he threaten her?" Neo_tomi asked, his face returning to its
normal color now.

<p> "It was just steam, it wasn't like he'd act on it. Buddy is pretty much all talk,"
Steff told us.

<p> "I'm not all talk! When I say I'm going to to do something I do it!" Buddy
cried, before he smacked himself in the head, knowing he had said the wrong thing.
"I mean...oh Borovan!"

<p> "Buddy, try to think before you talk. You are digging yourself in deeper," Steff
advised.

<p> "I'll try, Steff," Buddy promised. while he stared at the ground sheepishly at
how stupid he’d been.

<p> "I'm getting the Chia Police!" Yado announced.
<p> "Is that necessary?" Steff called.

<p> "You are going to pay for kidnapping my friend!" Yado exploded at Buddy. "You
deserve to be in jail, Buddy!"

<p> "I didn't do it!" Buddy yelled.

<p> "We all need to calm down," Steff reasoned. But no one listened to a word she
said.

<p> "Bluey, make sure he doesn't go anywhere," Yado ordered.

<p> "If he moves, I'll make sure that he gets a Snowball straight in the stomach,"
the maiden Crystal said, as she juggled a rather unusual-looking snowball in her
hand. "Don't doubt my aim, Buddy." Crystal and Ieva were both strong women, like
GLQ and Teghan. The difference was, they could they defend themselves physically,
as well as magically. I don’t think even Jahbal could defeat the pair in a magical
duel.
<p> "Aye-aye, captain." The sapphire dragon saluted. He crossed the room and
stood next to Buddy, towering over him. Bluey bent down and whispered, "Sorry
about this, Bud."

<p> "It's not your fault I'm looking pretty guilty," Buddy said.

<p> "CONFESSION!" Yado hollered loudly.

<p> "What?" Buddy, asked horrified.

<p> "You said 'I'm guilty!'" Yado commented.

<p> "I'm guilty?" Buddy repeated.

<p> "He admits it again!" Yado declared.

<p> "Yado, calm down," Kiddo advised the chef, who was turning quite red in the
face.

<p> "Let of me! I'm getting the police!" Yado said, breaking free from Tahu and
Matt's grasp. He reached for the door, and began to fiddle with the knob; but the
door refused to budge. "It won't open."

<p> "What?" Mina asked.

<p> "It’s locked," Yado responded.

<p> "Is it a pull door? You should try pulling it," Buddy advised.

<p> "Do you want him to get the Police to arrest you?" the exasperated Steff cried.

<p> "Oops! sorry!" Buddy replied sheepishly.

<p> "Please step away from the door," Tahu announced loudly.

<p> "What in the name of Chet Flash are you talking about?" Patjade hollered.

<p> "I know what fixes locks! Ketchup!" Tahu announced.

<p> "Or you can try dung! It works every time," Matt added.

<p> "I tried to open the window but it’s locked from the outside," GLQ informed us,
as she tugged against the window. It still refused to open. The other guests began
to dash to the windows and doors, trying to open them to the outside world, but
none succeeded.

<p> "We're trapped!" Lady Wolfina screeched in horror. "I'm too beautiful to be
stuck in here with people like a Dung-Obsessed Loser!"

<p> "I'm just glad I'm trapped in here with someone as beautiful as you," Sims
grinned, as he put his arm around Kiddo. "Don't you feel lucky?"

<p> Kiddo ducked away quickly from Sims’ arm and joined Yado at trying to pound
down the door. She turned to Yado and exclaimed,

<p> "We have to get out of here! I can't be trapped in here with HIM!" She stared
at Sims in horror as he glided across the room. Kiddo was the one lady that Sims’
charm wouldn't work on.

<p> "Kiddo, you're a challenge. I like it," Sims smirked, and combed his hand
through his nearly perfectly hair. He was so used to ladies falling into his arms, that
he needed a little challenge in his life; too bad for Kiddo that she was that
challenge.

<p> "Please get me out of here," Kiddo pleaded to Yado.

<p> "I think it's the security system," Yado muttered.

<p> "Huh Yado?" Kiddo asked, as she dove behind him, using the chef as a shield
from Sims.

<p> "Kiddo, darlin', why are you trying to hide what we have?" Sims called.

<p> "Rox got robbed and put in a new system, but the system has been acting up
lately. We were about to fix it when he," Yado stopped and gave Buddy a nasty look
before continuing, "interrupted us."

<p> "So we're trapped inside of here, with no way out, with a possible kidnapper,"
Patjade announced.

<p> "No one else could get in or out of the house; which means one of us is the
kidnapper," Yado announced.

All the guests and myself began to eye each other. One of us was possibly guilty of
being a kidnapper, the question was, who was it? Was it really Buddy, or was he
just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I wasn't sure what to think. I knew this
was going to be one long night.
<p><i> To Be Continued...</i>

[Roxy]

Part Four:

<p> I couldn't believe our horrible luck. The day of the Neopian Times Ball, the
security system had to trap us inside with a possible kidnapper. I didn't think it
could get any worse. Yado paced back and forth, trying to figure out a way to get
out of the house, get to the Chia Police, and have Buddy locked in the slammer.

<p> "Yado, don't you have a security system similar to Rox's at your house and
business?" Rainbow asked hopefully.

<p> "That I do," Yado stated.

<p> "Do you know Rox's code?" I asked, perking up. I really couldn't stand the idea
of being trapped anywhere, and I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck with a
kidnapper. I was glad that I was here with Rainbow, though. I think
she was the only person that could keep me sane among the insane. It's too bad
that she was a bit crazy, herself.

<p> "No, but I think I might be able to figure it out," Yado exclaimed as his brain
finally clicked. "Hear that, Buddy? I am going to override the security system and
get the Chia Police! They'll lock you up and throw away the key!"

<p> "How many times do I have to tell you, Yado? I didn't do it!" Buddy cried.

<p> "I'm good with electronics; I'll help you out," Lady Jade Phoenix volunteered,
ignoring Buddy's statement.
<p> "Great, Lady Jade Phoenix. There are two security panels: one in the library
and one in the kitchen. I'll take the kitchen and you take the other," Yado directed.

<p> "Why can't I just freeze or flame this sucker?" Ieva asked, with a raised hand
ready to perform a spell.

<p> "You can't mix magic and technology," Crystal told her.

<p> "Oh," Ieva sighed and lowered her hand.

<p> "The security system is highly advanced; it can block all magical spells. Good
theory, but I don't think it'll work. I think our best bet would be for Patjade and I to
try and disable the system," Yado declared.

<p> "Sounds good." Mina nodded, as did Neo_tomi.

<p> "Everyone else, let's split up. We can look for Rox and a way out," Kiddo
suggested, from behind Yado.

<p> "The Bouncer!" Matt cried.

<p> "Huh?" the group asked.

<p> "The Bouncer is outside. We can tell him we are trapped, and he can get help,"
Matt explained, excited about a possible route of escape.

<p> "Or the Chia police," Yado added.

<p> "I think if the bouncer couldn't hear the pounding against door, he can't hear
anything. It's worth a try, though," Kiddo said.

<p> "I'm not guilty!" Buddy told us, for the fiftieth time that night. I, like all the
other guests, was beginning to ignore him.

<p> "Not guilty? Well, I guess then Dr. Frank Sloth is just another nice guy that
didn't try and enslave the entire population of Neopets!" Yado sneered.

<p> "It wasn't me!" Buddy shouted.

<p> "You're just an innocent victim." Yado snorted. "Oh please!"

<p> "Yado! Buddy! Quit it! Your arguing isn't getting us anywhere. Patjade and
Yado will go and try to shut down the security system. The rest of us will form
groups of four or more, and we'll search for a way out--or Rox," Kiddo ordered. She
was a natural leader among the group, because the authors had so much respect
for her and her work; espically Sims (but that's another story). "Teghan, Bluey, Stal
and Ieva-- go together. Bluey & Ieva, keep your ears open for any weird noises."

<p> "But of course, ears open and ready to work, Kiddo!" Bluey, the massive
dragon, declared obediently. The four of them circled together and began to
chatter. It was pretty obvious that they all had known each other for a long time.

<p> "Tahu, Ian, Rainbow, and Matt," Kiddo announced. I looked across the room to
where the Ketchup-Crazy Man and the Dung Lover stood, chatting about something
that more than likely involved ketchup and dung.

<p> "How did we get stuck with the crazies?" Rainbow whispered to me.

<p> "I bet not even a White Weewoo knows," I answered, as we crossed the room
to stand next to the two other members of our group. They seemed just as thrilled
about having Rainbow and I in their group as we did about them.

<p> "Lady Wolfina, Frostcrystal, Steff, Mina, and Neo_tomi," Kiddo said, and
formed another group.

<p> "YES!" Neo_tomi cheered when his name was announced.

<p> "What?" Kiddo asked. "Why are you so happy?"

<p> "Nothing," Neo_tomi replied sheepishly as his face turned redder than a
Loveberry.

<p> "But who will protect me?" Lady Wolfina cried, at the news of Sims not being
in her group.

<p> "I'll protect you, Lady Wolfina not to worry," Neo_tomi declared, puffing up his
chest. He struck a noble, pose of a Meridell knight.

<p> "You couldn't protect yourself against a Snorkle," Crystal giggled at Neo_tomi.
Neo_tomi's face dropped instantly, and his face turned an even brighter shade of
red. He began to stare at his shoes sheepishly. "Don't worry, Wolfina, no one will
mess with us."
<p> "We'll all look out for each other," Mina smiled, and Neo_tomi cheered up a bit.

<p> "Since Yado & Patjade are working on the security system, I'll go with Ginger,
GLQ, Cheshil, and...SIMS!?" Kiddo smacked her head. "I made the groups--how
could I end up with him?!" Kiddo pulled Cheshil over to her, and used him as new
shield from Sims.

<p> "It was destiny, pookie!" Sims called across the room. "It just proves that,
secretly, you care about me, too. How about a kiss for the Sims-Man?"

<p> "Go kiss a Mortog!" Kiddo yelled from behind the Anti-Man Box Man (Cheshil).

<p> "What about me?" Buddy asked.

<p> "Uhhhh," Kiddo looked around the room for a place to put Buddy. All the
groups shook their heads "no;" after all, everyone was pretty sure he was guilty.

<p> "Will anyone go with, Buddy?" Kiddo pleaded. Everyone looked at each other,
but no one responded.

<p> "Someone has to watch him and make sure he doesn't escape," Yado added.

<p> "I'll go with him," Steff piped up.

<p> "Steff? Are you sure about this? You're about to go wandering around with
person accused of kidnapping," Sims pleaded with her to not go with Buddy. "You
can join my group and we can conga together. You'd like that wouldn't you, Steff?"
Sims tried to bargain and stared at her with her dark, chocolate eyes hoping they
would lead her to his group.

<p> "I'll be fine, Sims. I think he's innocent," Steff told us, and stood next to
Buddy. She gave him a comforting pat on the back to show that she wouldn't leave
him behind. "We can conga later."

<p> "Sure, and I'm Fyora," Yado snorted. Crystal crossed the room, pushed Buddy
out of the way, and stood next to Steff.

<p> "Just in case, girl, take this," she said, as she handed Steff one of her special,
magical snowballs. "Just aim and fire if that creep comes after you," Crystal
instructed, as she turned to walk off, her hair whipping Buddy's face; she looked
back him with a dirty look and threatened him, "You touch her and I swear you'll be
sorry."

<p> "This reminds me of a joke, what did Fyora say to the Earth Faerie?" Sims
asked.

[Roxy]

<p> "He's in my group?! Are you kidding me?" Kiddo cried, and continued to smack
herself on the head. "How could I have put him in my group?"

<p> "Stop hitting yourself, my little Angelpuss!" Sims advised.

<p> "I'm not your little Angelpuss!" Kiddo hissed.

<p> "Fine, Buttercup!" Sims smiled sweetly, and Kiddo groaned.

<p> "You!" Patjade called and stared at me.

<p> "Me?" I asked, taken aback by her pointing me out among the crowd.

<p> "You, Rainbow, Tahu, and Matt; go and try to get the bouncer to go for help,"
Patjade dictated.

<p> "Alright," I agreed.

<p> "Everyone else spread out in your groups. Don't leave your group's side, and
watch each other's backs," Kiddo instructed. The groups nodded and began to split
up. Kiddo raced off from behind Cheshil, trying to avoid Sims while the rest of the
group chased after her. Her whole group didn’t chase after her; Ginger just glided
down the hall slowly after them.

<p> "Hey, man, you didn't use ketchup to get the stain, out I see," Tahu
commented as we walked towards the front entrance and the door.

<p> "Ketchup wouldn't work. Dung won't work either so don't say anything, Matt!"
Rainbow responded.

<p> "Dung is more than just a mere object-- it's an art," Matt explained.

<p> "I totally know what you mean. It's the same with ketchup. It was like meant
to be worshipped," Tahu agreed.

<p> "Totally!" Matt nodded.

<p> "You guys are so weird," Rainbow muttered in a loud whisper.

<p> "What was that, darlin' Rainbow?" Tahu asked.

<p> "Nothing," Rainbow replied and put a fake smile upon her face.

<p> "Let's just try and get the bouncer," I said. We peered through the window
outside, where the Fire Grarrl was fast asleep in a bed of flowers. The tough
bouncer was curled up in a ball, and was sucking on one of his paws as he slept.
Rainbow and I began to laugh at the scene,

<p> "Should we wake him?" Rainbow giggled.

<p> "Hey, Bouncer! Wake up and I'll give you some dung!" Matt yelled as he
banged and pounded against the window.

<p> "WAKE UP!" I yelled, and punched the window with Tahu. The bouncer refused
to stir, and continued to snooze.

<p> "Hey, where's Tahu?" Rainbow asked, after Matt and I had stopped shouting.

<p> "Huh?" I questioned, as Matt and I looked around the room. The Ketchup Nut,
who was standing with us not a minute before, had vanished.

<p> "That's weird," Matt commented. "Tahu would never leave without telling me.
Do you think he was kidnapped?"

<p> "No!" I said. "No one would take Tahu. I'm sure he's fine." I was not comforted
when there was a loud crash in the kitchen.

<p> "What was that?" Rainbow hissed in a whisper.

<p> "I don't know," I whispered back "Let's check it out." We crept toward the
kitchen, from where came the noise of someone moving about. I reached my hand
for the handle of the door, when it burst open and Patjade appeared.

<p> "Oh, my King Skarl!" Patjade jumped in fright at the sight of us. She looked
me with her haunting green eyes. "Ian!" she cried, grabbing my hand and pulling
me toward the kitchen. I looked around the room, and written in a red dripping
substance on the wall was 'I took the cook.' I stared at the message in
horror. Matt stood next to me in a fright-stricken awe, and Rainbow let out a blood-
curdling scream. The second victim had been claimed; Yado the chef was gone.

<p><i> To Be Continued...</i> </p>

[Roxy]

Part Five:
<p> "It's okay," I told Rainbow, as I pulled her into a hug of a comfort. She’d
begun shaking like mad when she’d saw the message on the wall, and I wished she
could have been anywhere else but here. Rainbow, even though she got a little
over-excited about seeing certain Neopian Times celebrities, was a good person,
and didn't deserve to be stuck in here with all the crazies and a kidnapper. Matt
stood motionless next to us, shocked that Yado was really gone.

<p> "Is it really written in blood?" Patjade asked, staring at the wall.

<p> "One way to find out," Matt muttered, as he crossed the room and put his
finger into the liquid. Patjade, Rainbow, and I stared at him in horror, as he
examined the substance on his pinky, and then proceed to put it in his mouth. I
guess I expected too much of a man who was obsessed with dung. I thought even
the dung-obsessed guy knew better than to put unknown things into his mouth.

<p> "That's just gross!" Rainbow squealed, and jumped in disgust.

<p> "Nasty!" Patjade agreed.

<p> "What's it taste like?" I stammered, out of curiosity, disguist, and shock.

<p> "It's not blood; it's ketchup!" Matt informed us. There was only person in the
entire party that would dare write a note on the walls of the kitchen with ketchup,
and we had a pretty good idea of who it was. Suddenly, a blue dragon burst into the
kitchen with Ieva at his side.

<p> "What's wrong? Why did someone scream?" Bluey asked, frantic and
concerned.

<p> "Look at the wall!" Patjade responded as Ieva and Bluey spun around and
looked at the wall, horrified.

<p> "Is that message written in blood?" Ieva gasped.

<p> "Actually, it's ketchup," Matt informed her.

<p> "Ketchup?" Ieva gasped. "You don't think that...that Tahu is behind this, do
you?"

<p> "Who else would it be?" Bluey questioned.

<p> "Let me at him!" Teghan cried, as she burst into the kitchen. "If the kidnapper
is here, I'll give him a piece of my mind. I'm a third-degree black belt, Tyrannian
War veteran, and Battledome Champion! BRING IT!" Teghan clenched her hands
into fists, and got into her fighting stance, ready to take on the invisible kidnapper
in the kitchen.

<p> "Easy, Teghan!" Stal advised her, as he glided effortlessly through the door
and leaned against the stone counters of the kitchen. Even though there was a note
claiming the kidnapping of Yado on the wall, he still maintained his cool. I knew I
had to take lessons from this guy. Even though we were in the worst of the
worst situations, he still maintained his aura of uber coolness.

<p> "Wasn't Tahu with you?" Teghan asked, looking around for the Ketchup Nut.

<p> "He disappeared," I told her.

<p> "He disappears right before Yado is taken, and the message on the wall is
written in ketchup; coincidence? I think not!" Bluey declared loudly. "Tahu is the
kidnapper!"

<p> "I wouldn't kidnap anyone," Tahu said, as he entered the room. He looked
around the kitchen, and stared at the note in horror. "Who put that on the wall?!"
he asked. "It's such a waste of perfectly good KETCHUP!" Tahu crumbled on the
kitchen floor and began to sob. "Ketchup was meant for good, not evil!"


<p> "Is he really crying over ketchup?" I asked Rainbow. How could anyone be that
attached to a condiment?

<p> "I'd never use ketchup like this! Oh please forgive the person who tried to use
it for such an evil deed!" Tahu begged to the writing on the wall between sobs.

<p> "You’ve got be kidding me," Rainbow groaned. "Tahu, it's just ketchup!"

<p> "Just Ketchup? <I>Just</I> ketchup!?" Tahu repeated, as he climbed to his
feet. "JUST KETCHUP!??! It's more than just ketchup-- it's life itself!!" He wailed
loudly. "Just Ketchup!! You ignorant mortal, it's more than just ketchup!"

<p> "It's okay, man. I know how you feel," Matt said comfortingly to his friend.
"They just can't understand."

<p> "JUST KETCHUP!" Tahu screeched again, between sobs.

<p> "I guess this pretty much explains that Tahu is innocent," Ieva observed.

<p> "This proves nothing! He could just be a brilliant actor," Patjade cried. "Anyone
can wail about how valuable ketchup is."

<p> "He seems pretty serious to me," I whispered to Rainbow. Only an award
winning actor could ramble on for over twenty minutes about the value of ketchup,
and I knew Tahu was no actor.

<p> "What's going on?" Mina asked, as the rest of the guests stumbled in upon
hearing Rainbow and Tahu’s screams. I looked around guests that gathered in the
kitchen, but Steff and Buddy were no where to be found. Patjade told the others
what she had discovered, and the Tahu's dramatic moment in the kitchen. There
was a spilt between the guests of people who believed Tahu was innocent, and
those who reckoned he was just a brilliant actor, and thus guilty.


<p> "Has anyone seen Buddy or Steff?" Crystal asked, looking around the room.

<p> "Buddy! Buddy framed me!" Tahu declared. "The good for nothing Dr. Sloth
knew we were on to him, and he tried to put the blame off of him by pinning it on
me!"

<p> "While Tahu was in the bathroom, Buddy asked me earlier what brand name of
Ketchup Tahu preferred," Matt confessed.

<p> "It's pretty obvious that it's still Buddy," Neo_tomi announced. "I don't know
what ya’ll think, but we need to do something before he grabs someone else! First,
Rox, then Yado-- who's next? We have to stop him!"

<p> "I agree," Mina nodded.

<p> "You... you agree with... with... me?" Neo_tomi stammered, as he face turned
bright red. I didn't understand why Neo_tomi kept on getting tongue tied in the
presence of Mina. I knew I hadn't figured it out, but Bluey sure had.

<p> "What?" Mina asked, shocked by Neo_tomi's behavior. "What's wrong? Are you
okay?"

<p> "It's just that Neo_tomi has a cr--" Bluey began, before he was interrupted by
GLQ.

<p> "I'm not going to watch anymore of my friends be snatched. It's time we get
Buddy before he can hurt anyone else." The crazy authors had quickly turned into
an angry mob, determined to catch Buddy. I knew the guy seemed pretty guilty,
but it just seemed too easy. Buddy wasn’t smart and no where close to a criminal
mastermind, and I doubted he was able to pull off kidnapping two authors without
getting caught. Rainbow at my side didn't say anything, but I knew she felt the
same way I did. We were slowly starting to believe that Steff was right, and maybe
Buddy <I>was</I> innocent.

[Roxy]

<p>The mob, led by Patjade, charged through the house, while Rainbow and I
brought up the rear. As the herd of angry authors charged down the hallway, they
spotted a of a shadowy figure, and took off after it. I looked around the mob and
noticed that Tahu and Matt were to be found; maybe they thought this mob thing
was as pointless as Rainbow and I did. We chased it into the library before it
vanished into thin air, and it was in that room that Buddy's innocence began to
slowly fade away. The library floor was covered with scattered books and broken
and knocked over shelves. Little pieces of Crystal's magical snowball were scattered
across the room, as though it had been used in defense. In the center of the library
was an abnormally large pile of books. It was in these that I saw a tuft of purple
hair. I raced forward, throwing off the books as the mob looked at me in horror and
confusion.

<p> "Ian! What in a Box’s name are you doing?" Cheshil demanded, as I continued
to dig through the books. I had thrown off enough to reveal Steff's head. I moved
away to show the guests, and they gasped in shock.

<p> "Is she dead!?" Crystal screamed. I continued to toss the books off of Steff.

<p> "Steff! NOOO!" Sims cried, and dove forward to help me uncover her. Kiddo
sighed with relief, now that Sims was distracted from chasing her. "I shouldn't have
let her go with that good-for-nothing Buddy. She didn't deserve this!" We were able
to recover Steff's body from the pile of books. Sims sighed with relief to know she
was still breathing, and was just unconscious.

<p> "Let me see her," Ieva said, stepping forward to examine Steff. Ieva was a
magical warrior and knew more about the world of magic and spells than anyone
else I knew. After a minute, she announced, "It's a sleeping potion. The strongest
I’ve ever seen. I think it’s called the Zzz's Sleeping Potion. Just one sip or sniff of
the stuff and you’ll be out for a couple of hours."
<p> "The Zzz's sleeping potion?" Crystal gasped. "It's so rare, and extremely
difficult to make. How could anyone get a hold of it?"

<p> "Crystal, dear, I own four bottles of the Zzz's Sleeping Potion that are
displayed in my gallery. It was easy to get such rare items," Lady Wolfina told her.
After declaring how easily it was for her to get the potions, and what other rare
items she had displayed in her gallery, Lady Wolfina clicked open her compact and
began to reapply her lipstick. "Always carry two extra tubes with you. You never
know when they'll come in handy."

<p> "When is she going to wake up?" Sims asked, changing the subject from Lady
Wolfina’s rambling about herself.

<p> "It depends how much she inhaled or drank. She could wake up in a minute,
an hour, a week, a month, or even a year," Ieva replied. "Or she could never wake
up."

<p> "Where's Buddy?" Ginger demanded, looking about the room. Steff's blonde
haired companion was no where to be found.

<p> "Buddy must have tried to take her, but heard us coming and tried to hide the
evidence," Patjade observed. "He might want to come back for her."

<p> "We have to make sure the kidnapper doesn't get her," Sims declared.

<p> "Why, Sims?" Cheshil asked. "You can't exactly conga with an unconscious
person."

<p> "She could have seen something before she was taken under the influence of
the Zzz's Sleeping Potion," Kiddo announced. "She could prove that the kidnapper is
Buddy, or someone else." We stared at the snoozing Steff on the library floor. The
identity of the kidnapper could rest in the hands of a purple-haired sleeping beauty.

<p><i> To Be Continued...</i>

[Roxy]

Part Six:

<p> "We have to protect her at all costs," Kiddo announced. "Steff could be our
only chance to find out who's behind all of this."

<p> "We all know who is behind this; it's Buddy!" Patjade countered. "You think it's
just a coincidence that he just <I>happened</I> to disappear the moment Steff is
found unconscious in the library?"

<p> "I'm not so sure," Mina pondered. "I mean, why would Buddy try to kidnap the
only person who believed him to be innocent? It doesn't add up. Buddy would want
her around."

<p> "We all know Buddy isn't the brightest paintbrush in the shop," Bluey said. "He
probably just saw Steff as another victim, and tried to grab her before any of us
found out." Bluey did have a good point; I think if Buddy was behind the whole
thing, he wouldn't be smart enough to figure out not to kidnap the only person who
believed he wasn't guilty. Mina did have a rather good opinion as well: was Buddy
really smarter than we gave him credit for? I was beginning to swing back and forth
between Buddy's guilt and innocence. Buddy could've just been framed, and the
real kidnapper could be still standing among the guests. There was one person I
was sure wasn't the kidnapper, and that was Rainbow. I'd been with her all night,
and I was positive that she wasn't guilty.

<p> "What are you thinking about?" Rainbow asked me. "You look like you've got
something on your mind."

<p> "It's nothing," I lied and smiled down to her.

<p> "Why should we bother guarding her?" Patjade asked. "She is asleep-- the
kidnapper isn't exactly going to take a body for the heck of it. In addition, she could
hold no information whatsoever. I think we should be out looking for the kidnapper
and clues rather than just sitting around waiting for someone else to vanish."

<p> "I think we should guard Steff. She could hold valuable information," Kiddo
argued. "We all don't have to guard her-- two or so people could watch over her.
The rest of us will split up and we'll look for clues and stuff."

<p> "My little buttercup, you're brilliant," Sims sighed, staring longingly into
Kiddo's eyes. Kiddo grabbed Stal from his uber-cool-lean-against-the-bookcase to
use as a shield.

<p> "Chill, Kid', " Stal advised, when she ducked behind him.

<p> "Who's going to guard Steff?" Neo_tomi asked, turning to Kiddo and Patjade.

<p> "Uhh," the two leaders exchanged glances, not sure who should stand guard.
After all, they could might accidentally choose the kidnapper.

<p> "I think Sims should look over her," Kiddo announced. "He's very trustworthy,
and I'm sure my pookie would do a great job guarding." All of us but Sims could see
through Kiddo's fake appointment of Sims as guard. We all knew that the only
reason she appointed him to guard Steff was so she wouldn't have to deal with him.

<p> "Am I really your pookie?" Sims asked hopefully, as he stared at her with his
chocolate eyes.

<p> "Of course, you are," Kiddo lied, still hiding from behind Stal.

<p> "Did you hear that? KIDDO LIKES ME!" Sims cried loudly. We all rolled our
eyes. Poor Sims he was obviously in denial, because even a Snorkle could tell Kiddo
was lying.

<p> "I pick Crystal and Ginger to stand guard with Sims," Patjade announced. I
was taken aback by Patjade's descion; I could understand why she picked Crystal,
the warrior of ice. Crystal could handle herself, and seemed very innocent. But
<i> GINGER</i>?! Ginger was a frail, petite woman, who probably couldn't open a
can of Neocola without some help. In addition, there was some really creepy about
Ginger. Maybe it was the way she never spoke, or her gothic nature, but there was
something weird about her that I couldn't put my finger on.

<p> "Ginger? Are you sure?" Kiddo hissed.

<p> "I don't trust her either, but I figure if she tries something, Sims and Crystal
will be there to stop her," Patjade whispered back.

<p> "Good thinking," Kiddo nodded in approval.

<p> "We'll split up into pairs and look for clues. We can cover more ground that
way, than in groups," Patjade decided. "There is an odd number here, so there'll be
one group of three. Cheshil, go with Stal. Ieva and Bluey work together, and don't
forget to use those ears of yours. I'll make sure to keep mine open," she said, as
she flicked her own elven ears, similar to Ieva's. The guests began to cross the
room, meeting their partners.

<p> "GLQ and Teghan; don't beat up the kidnapper too much when you get them."
Kiddo grinned. GLQ and Teghan nodded to each other, and met in the center of the
room. I'd never mess with them. Teghan alone could probably make you cry in
a second, but the pair of them together were dangerous. "Neo_tomi, you go with
Mina."

<p> "YES!" Neo_tomi cheered loudly. I think I might just have been naïve, but I
still couldn't figure out why Neo_tomi was always so thrilled to have Mina in his
group.

<p> "What?" Mina asked.

<p> "It's so obvious, he li--" Bluey answered, before he was cut off by Kiddo.

<p> "Matt and Tahu will be together, of course," Kiddo instructed. "Rainbow, Ian,
and Lady Wolfina can be the group of three. That leaves the two of us, partner,"
Kiddo laughed and nudged Patjade with her elbow, and Lady Jade Phoenix grinned.

<p> "Spilt up, and we'll meet back here in an hour," Patjade announced, as the
pairs began to disappear. Sims had picked up Steff to take her to more a secure
location with Crystal and Ginger. No one was left in the library but Rainbow, Lady
Wolfina, and myself. I didn't mind being paired with Rainbow, I really didn't. But it
was Lady Wolfina I couldn't stand for a second. She crossed the library and pecked
me once on one cheek, twice on the other.

<p> "Hello, dahhling. I'm thrilled that we are in a group together. My heels are
killing me, so could we please not wander too far?" Lady Wolfina said, as she
pointed to her blue sequined high heels that matched her tacky dress perfectly.
"While we are in here, I can show you the novel I wrote," Lady Wolfina tottered
over the book shelves and began searching through the thousands of books in the
library. "It was award winning novel and I wrote it all myself. It's called <i>From
the Cinders.</i> Some wolf girl tried to rip off my idea with some stupid series
called, <i> From the Ashes.</i> Umm... hello, wolf girl-- I <I>so</I> thought of it
first."
<p> "I hate when that happens," Rainbow snapped. I could tell Rainbow disliked
Lady Wolfina more than I did. Lady Wolfina was just so annoying and full of herself.

[Roxy]

<p> "It's so hard to be perfect. I'm obviously talented as a writer, and I'm also
fantastic designer," Lady Wolfina rambled. "See this dress?" Lady Wolfina said,
twirling to show off her blue-sequined attire. "‘Made it all myself," she bragged, and
continued to look through the book shelves. I couldn't help but notice the red tag
sticking out from the back of her dress that read, "Made In Kiko Lake." Rainbow
pointed to it and we both began to laugh. "What's so funny? Did you know, I'm
funnier than Sims. I can make anyone laugh," Lady Wolfina continued.

<p> "I'm sure you can," Rainbow spat between the fit of giggles. Lady Wolfina shot
Rainbow a dirty look and grabbed my hand. She yanked me toward the
bookshelves,

<p> "Ian, you can help me look for my novel," Lady Wolfina demanded. I began to
look through the books with her when Lady Wolfina pulled out the book <i> Robin
Lupe </i> it was covered in what looked like muddy fingerprints. "Eww!" She
squealed loudly, and threw the book aside. "It had dung all over it!!" Lady Wolfina
screeched. "Rainbow did you forget to wash your hands?" Rainbow shot Lady
Wolfina a dirty look, the pair couldn’t stand each other.

<p> "Dung?" I asked.

<p> "Ewww! Look at all these books," Lady Wolfina pointed to books, plenty of
them covered in dung fingerprints. I began to notice spots of red all over the books,
too. I inspected the red marks closer, to find they were ketchup. Ketchup and
dung? What were they doing all over the books of the library. Ketchup in the
kitchen? Dung and ketchup in the library? Something was going on, and all the
clues pointed right to Tahu and Matt.

<p> "Should we get the others?" Rainbow asked.

<p> "Let's go," I told her, as I walked towards the hallway. Even if it wasn't them,
it was too big of a clue not to warn the others about. I stared down the hallway,
making sure it looked alright before turning to tell the girls to hurry up. I turned to
see an open book case, revealing a dark tunnel-- some sort of secret passageway. I
blinked twice to make sure what I was seeing was real; it was. Rainbow and Lady
Wolfina had their backs to the passageway, and were completely oblivious to it.
Suddenly, two dark-cloaked figures appeared out of the tunnel and raced forward.
The hoods hid their identities as they seized Rainbow. Rainbow screamed, and tried
to fight the two, but she was outnumbered. Lady Wolfina began to shriek, and
began to run off in her heels-- which I’ve heard isn't very easy.

<p> "RAINBOW!" I called, and I raced forward, tackling one of the figures to the
ground. I jumped to my feet, trying to help Rainbow, but the figure I had tackled
pulled me back to the ground. We began to wrestle and fight. I fought with all my
might to defeat the figure and save Rainbow, but I was too late. I looked over to
see Rainbow was fast asleep on the ground. The hooded figures must have given
her some of the Zzz's Sleeping Potion, just like they had done to Steff.

<p>Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Lady Wolfina had tried to scarper, but
had tripped on her heels. The figure was looming over her, and made her inhale the
dreaded potion, before she fell fast asleep. I knew the same fate would await me if I
didn't get free quickly.

<p>The figure had pinned me to the ground, and I struggled as hard as I could
against its grasp-- I couldn't give up; I wouldn't give up. Some how, some way, I
had to save Rainbow. The second figure appeared, holding the potion in a bottle and
a cloth. It pushed the fabric against my face, and covered my nose and mouth. He
made me inhale the sleeping potion. I felt drowsiness take over my body, and I
tried to fight it. But my eyelids were beginning to get heavier and heavier by the
second. With the last ounce of strength I had, I broke free from the dark figure's
grasp, and knocked off its hood. I stared in shock at its identity, before falling
backwards into darkness.

<p> <i> To Be Continued... </i> </p>

[Roxy]

The NEVER-BEFORE SEEN PART SEVEN:

<p> I began to toss and turn, I felt so cold. I began to shiver and goosebumps
appeared all over my body. I couldn't remember anything but darkness cosuming
me into a dreamless sleep and how cold I felt. Before I awoke, I remember hearing
my name echo repeatly in a women's voice. My eyes finally fluttered open as I laid
on the cold, stone floor of some mysterious stone tunnel. Lady Wolfina and the
concerned Rainbow hovered over me.

<p> "About time," Lady Wolfina snapped "I awoke clearly five minutes before you.
Everyone knows you're stupposed to not make a lady wait!"

<p> "Sorry," I mumbled as I got to my feet while rubbing my head. I had felt I had
just been run over by a galloping Uni. "Where are we?" I asked looking around at
the dank, tunnel lit by torches on the grey stone walls. It was freezing down here
and I couldn't help notice Lady Wolfina and Rainbow shiver in their dresses. I was
shivering just as much as the girls were, it was almost as colder than a winter day
on Terror Mountain. If I only had my jacket, I’d do the gentleman thing and offer to
one of the ladies. Sadly, I had left my jacket at home.

<p> "Some sort of secret passageway," Rainbow observed and traced her fingers
along cracks on the rock walls.

<p> "What are secret passageways doing in Rox's house?" Lady Wolfina hissed. "I
mean hello, I totally invented the idea for secret passageways. She must have stole
my idea! Construction on my passageways was to begin next wee. But no, I can't
do it now, because Rox stole the idea. Darn her! Besides, those figures that grabbed
us totally ruined my dress. Will you look at this stain?"

<p> "Two figures?" I asked puzzled and rather frazzled.

<p> "Don't you remember, Ian? The two dark, hooded figures that grabbed us and
put us under the influence of the sleeping potion?" Rainbow asked me. The
statement had cuased my memory to slowly reappear. I was about to tell Rainbow
exactly what I remembred but before I could reply two hooded figures appeared, in
the faint light of the torches and strided toward us. Lady Wolfina let out a terrified
squealed and Rainbow gulped in belief that the end was near. I was never one to
give up that easy, I tugged at Rainbow's hand and called,

<p> "Come on," Rainbow nodded as we began to sprint down the pathway. Our
pounding footsteps echoed off the stone walls.

<p> "Wait for me!" Lady Wolfina whined loudly as she tottered after us in her
heels. With every step Lady Wolfina made a loud clank was made that echoed down
the pathway and into the ears of the two hooded figures. Rainbow and I continued
to run down the tunnel in hope to find some way out or a hiding place. Rainbow and
I spotted a metal door on the wall and raced toward it. Rainbow reached it first, and
began to fiddle with the silver handle.

<p> "It's locked," Rainbow announced frantic as she continued to pull. I reached
over and tried to unlock the metal door but there was no lock. Rainbow was correct
this steel door was locked and knowing our luck, bolted shut. I doubt the infamous
Clyde the Aisha Theif could get in there."What are we going to do?"

<p> "Let's go," I yelled as the figures got closer and closer while Lady Wolfina
struggled to keep up with us. We took off into a run again, Rainbow being a sprinter
took the lead. Her brown hair was flying as she ran with all her strength. Suddenly,
Rainbow halted and let out a terrified scream. I didn't have enough time to react to
Rainbow's sudden stop and I ran right into her. We toppled over onto the stone
ground and Rainbow stopped screaming. As soon as she hit the ground, tears began
to roll down her eyes. I flinched in horror, why did girls always have to cry? I’d
rather deal with another hooded figure than a crying girl. "I'm sorry. Are you
alright?" I asked concerned. With our collision to slow Rainbow and I down, Lady
Wolfina was able to race past us in her heels. Lady Wolfina turned to us and
ordered,

<p> "Get up!" Lady Wolfina turned her head straight forward and suddenly ran into
a single hooded figure standing infront of us. Rainbow and I gasped, climbed to our
feet and spun in the other direction. We were trapped there were figures on both
sides of us and quickly closing in. Two figures had appeared to snatch us but now
there were three in the passageway. Lady Wolfina, Rainbow, and I stood backed up
against the wall while the figures surrounded us. Rainbow began to shake even
harder from the cold and fright. Lady Wolfina shoved my back away from the wall
and hid behind me.

<p> "I'm too beauitful to be kidnapped!" Lady Wolfina pleaded and shoving me
forward. "Take him instead!"

<p> "Hey!" I cried. I wasn’t in the mood to be the scarifical ham, not today.

<p> "You should really use ketchup on that stain," One figure advised Lady Wolfina
pointing to the stain on her hip.

<p> "Tahu? Is that you?" Rainbow gasped. One of the dark figures flicked off his
hood revealing the Ketchup Nut. His eyes were gleaming similar to Patjade’s. They
were scary but fascinating, at the same time, in the light of the torch.

<p> "One of them is Matt," Lady Wolfina announced dramatically as though she
had disocvered the cure for the Sneezles. Anyone could have figured out that
Tahu's partner in crime would be Matt. It didn’t take a scientist to state the
obvious, but Lady Wolfina didn’t seem to understand or Lady Wolfina believed she
was a scientist above everything else.

<p> "You think Tahu could think of this himself?" Matt's familar voice echoed from
underneathhis hood. He shook his hood off his head and beamed evilly at us. I
gasped in shock because neither Tahu or Matt was the face I had seen when I
knocked off the hood.

<p> "Who's that?" Rainbow gasped at the third figure with shivers.

<p> "Hello Buddy," I mutteredand the spiked hair blonde man revealed his idenity.

<p> "How did he know it was you?" Matt asked and turned to Buddy.

<p> "He knocked off my hood," Buddy told him. "Ian is a better fighter than he
looks."

<p> "Why did you guys do it?" Rainbow asked while she gripped my arm in terror.
Rainbow had a good grip when she is just normal. Can you imagine how hard she
was holding on to me in terror? She was holding on so tight it was like a Reptillor
strangling its prey.

<p> "Do what?" Matt asked casually.

<p> "Kidnap Rox and Yado," Lady Wolfina added still hiding from behind me.

<p> "Oh no! We didn't do that!" Tahu cried and shook his head and hands
frantically. "We'd never do that!"

<p> "Then, why did you attack us?" Rainbow questioned suspeciously with a arched
brown eyebrow.

<p> "I don't know, it looked like fun," Matt shrugged as though someone asked him
why he played Meerca Chase.

<p> "We had to stop you; you were going to tell the group about our finger prints.
Well, it would make us look pretty guilty. Then, they would search the passageways
and find Buddy." Tahu admitted. "We saw how crazy the mob got when they went
chasing for Buddy and were afraid what they still might do if they found him."

<p> "How did you find this place?" Lady Wolfina shot.

<p> "After the group raced off in an angry mob, Tahu & I decided to look for some
food..I mean clues, in the kitchen. I found the switch inside the cookie jar and we
decided to explore. We thought the tunnel might lead to Ketchup Land, so we went
inside the passageways. We found our old pal, Buddy hiding out here," Matt
answered and turned to Buddy. Buddy began to recall his tale,

<p> "I found this place by accident. Steff and I were in the library when the
kidnapper appeared, he went to grab Steff but I wouldn't let him. There was a
struggle and he shoved me in here. I couldn't seem to find how to open the door to
the passageway to get out. I found later, from these two, it was a pull. I hate those
pull doors. In the name of Vira, they should just be banned."

<p> "How did you get the Zzz's Sleeping Potion?" I asked, wondering how they
found such a rare item with ease. It would be hard enough for the intelligant
kidnapper to get it but two nuts didn’t stand a chance.

<p> "Found it in the passageway and we just read the instructions on the side of
the bottle," Tahu replied. "We figured it could come in handy and guess what? It
did!"

<p> "Why did only two of you come to kidnap us?" Rainbow asked. "Why not all
three?"

<p> "Well, Buddy and I went because Matt was having a bit of a crisis," Tahu
answered.

<p> "What was that, Matt?" I asked.

<p> "I broke a nail," Matt sobbed.

<p> "Oh Tryannia! Me too!" Lady Wolfina cried before they pulled each other into a
sobbing hug. I couldn’t believe the Dung King was crying over a broken nail; Lady
Wolfina I could believe, but Matt!

[Roxy]

<p> "It’s alright, man," Tahu comforted, before pulling the duo into a group hug.
"It was the pinky. We totally understand." Rainbow, Buddy and I quickly all rolled
our eyes in unison. Even though, Buddy was friends with Matt and Tahu,
sometimes, they were just too weird for words. Matt and Lady Wolfina eventually
broke apart.

<p> "Why are you dressed like that?" Lady Wolfina screeched. "It's so not in style.
Blue is totally the new black." Lady Wolfina pointed to her blue gown, to prove she
was in style.

<p> "Christmas present from Patjade," Buddy countered.

<p> "We always keep it a pocket for when it gets cold," Matt told us while the
others nodded in agreement. "Thank godness for these cargo pants. How else would
we carry around our cloaks?" We looked down and all the boys were wearing the
exact same design of cargo pants.

<p> "Stylish," Lady Wolfina approved. "Better than those nasty cloaks."

<p> "So the passageways leads from the kitchen to the library?" Rainbow inquired
as she took her eyes off the guys’ pants and to the passageway walls.

<p> "There is another door but it's locked and sealed, not even Clyde the Aisha
Theif could get in there," Matt informed us. "We have no idea where that leads.

<p> "So how's Steff?" Buddy asked with concerned eyes.
<p> "Huh?" I asked.

<p> "Steff is she okay?" Buddy repeated.

<p> "We don't know," Rainbow told him softly as Buddy's face dropped and the
blonde haired man stared at the ground. His eyes looked so sad like a Baby Lupe
who broke their rattle.

<p> "First, Rox and now, Steff," Buddy sighed in depression.

<p> "What about Rox?" I asked puzzled. Why did Buddy seem so down that his
enemy had disappeared?

<p> "Nothing," Buddy snapped defensively before his face turned red. I wasn’t sure
if it was rage, because of my question, or embrassment.
<p> "Well...I heard that Rox and Buddy are..." Matt began to gossip before
Rainbow interrupted him. She was focused and would rather solve the mystery than
to hear ideal gossip. Lady Wolfina looked rather disappointed she didn't get to hear
the dirt on Buddy and Rox.

<p> "Buddy, when you were fighting with the kidnapper did you get a glance of
who they were?" Rainbow asked.

<p> "No idea," Buddy replied honestly. "Whoever it was were wore something
similar to these," Buddy added pointing to Tahu, Matt and Buddy's attire.

<p> "How many people did Patjade give those hideous cloaks, too?" Lady Wolfina
gasped. "If I had recived something that ugly I'd take it as an insult!"

<p> "Stal, Ginger, Sims, Kiddo, Cheshil, GLQ, Rox, you get the idea; almost
everyone at the party has one," Matt informed us.

<p> "How do we know you're innocent?" Rainbow asked suspciously.

<p> "Because Sims was just abducted and they were with you," A voice echoed
from down the passageway. Bluey appeared suddenly with the magical knightress,
Ieva at her side. Cheshil and Stal sauntered in behind them.

<p> "Sims is gone?" Lady Wolfina gasped.

<p> "He was just taken while guarding Steff. Crystal and Ginger didn't see what
happened but discovered the cryptic notice on the wall revealing his
disappearance," Stal informed the group before he took his place again leaning on
the freezing, stone wall. Even though touching the wall was like touching an ice
rink, Stal didn't seem to mind.

<p> "NOT SIMS!" Lady Wolfina wailed. "Why do they always take the good-looking
ones? I'm going to be next!"

<p> "Trust me, you won’t," Buddy whispered under his breath and I tried to contain
my giggles.

<p> "What was that?" Lady Wolfina called.

<p> "Poor Sims," Buddy said, feigning a depressed tone; to cover up his previous comment.

<p> "He was supposed to hustle with me," Rainbow sighed in disappointment. A
dance with Sims was priceless, just ask any girl.

<p> "How did you find us?" Buddy inquired to the group that just entered.

<p> "We could hear you yapping," Bluey said and pointed to his ears, while Ieva
nodded in agreement. I guess their superior hearing skills lead them directly to the
undergound, secret tunnels.

<p> "If there is one passageway there could be more," Cheshil pointed out.
<p> "We're going to look for more pasageways," Ieva declared while Cheshil, Stal
and Bluey nodded. "Buddy, you should stay here the group is still highly suspscious
of you," The wise elven knightress advised.

<p> "I want to check on Steff," Buddy protested. "I just want to make sure she's
okay then, I'll come back here."

<p> "Buddy! STAY!" Ieva ordered harshly. She turned on her heel and disappeared
out the tunnels with Bluey at her side; while Stal and Cheshil trailed behind. Matt
and Tahu raced off behind them estastic about the oppurtunity to find a tunnel to
lead to the Land of Ketchup. I don't understand either, you should really Tahu or
Matt about that one. Buddy waited until the group was out of ear shot before
turning to Rainbow and I.

<p> "I really want to check on Steff," Buddy pleaded. "Please, I'll only go for a
minute then, I'll come back here."

<p> "I don't know," I hesitated. Ieva had given him an order. She wasn't normally
a leader but when she gives you an order you better obey it, or else you will get
spellbounding surpise. I don't mean a good one, either.

<p> "Come on, Ian," Rainbow begged. "He just wants to make sure she's okay." I
looked down at Rainbow and her Lupe pup eyes. I could never say no to the Lupe
pup eyes, let alone Rainbow's.

<p> "Alright, only if we're careful," I baragined. "If anyone sees you have to
promise to come back here."

<p> "I will, I promise," Buddy vowed happily.

<p> "I'm staying here," Lady Wolfina declared even though the tunnel was
freezing. I was dancing with excitment at the though of warming up.

<p> "Why?" I asked.

<p> "Who cares?" Rainbow whispered before rasing her voice to mock Lady
Wolfina, "Ciao darlin'." Before she grabbed mine and Buddy's hand and dragged us
down the passageway leaving Lady Wolfina there by herself. Buddy took the lead
and showed us the exit to the secret passageway, he attempted to open the door
but couldn't seem to figure it out. The stubborn Buddy wouldn't allow any help from
Rainbow or I. Five minutes later, Rainbow kindly reminded him it was a pull. Buddy
pulled open the door and we raced into the kitchen. The warmth consumed us as
Buddy quickly closed the door. Just as the secret door creaked closed and blended
in with the wall, Neo_tomi and Mina raced in panting. Buddy was about to duck
under the table but it was too late, he was already spotted. He frose rigid at my
side while I sucked in a breath hoping they wouldn't freak out. Luckily for us, it
wasn't Mina or Neo_tomi's style.

<p> "What wrong?" Rainbow asked concerned as Mina had a look of terror upon her
face. "What happened?"

<p> "The kidnapper...." Mina huffed between gasping for air.
"We...know...who...it...is..."
<p> "Who?" Buddy, Rainbow and I barked in unison.

<p><i> To Be Continued </i>

[Roxy]

READ!

Murder Mystery Intermission:

-Now I want you to think hard and long...who is it? Please make a guess before reading the next part and please post your guess and your reaction to who the actual kidnapper is! Let me know if your guess was right or wrong! I really want to know so please reply! Was the actual kidnapper hard to figure out? Too easy? Let me know, all feedback is appericated! Thanks!

Are you sure want to know? All these months of waiting, are you sure your ready? Couldn't you just wait another day? I refuse to torture you anymore the kidnapper is....