Old Friends, New Tales

Day two of Fina's grand adventure... Today, I'm gonna explore a whole new kingdom!

Wow! This wrapping paper's so clean and sturdy! Now I can make Freda and the others a brand-new game board...

Hello there, Princess Magic Fingers!

Huh? Fina? What are you doing out and about?

I'm on a grand adventure!

On a bright and breezy morning, the little nightingale arrived at the legendary Kingdom of Rubbish! She tapped the gate with her beak, knock knock..."Is anyone home?"

"Oh-ho! It's the little nightingale! Welcome!" And with a mighty creak, the gates of the Rubbish Kingdom swung open!

And there stood the Princess of Magic Fingers, a noble ruler said to turn the dullest scraps into dazzling treasure...

Ahem! Fina, sorry to cut in, but... could we pick a different title for my character? "Princess" is a bit... embarrassing.

Then what title would you prefer, Miss Margie?

I'd like to be... the Reticent Detective!

Alright then! And so, the little nightingale met the keen-eyed, ever-wise Reticent Detective. "Good day, Detective! I'd love to be your friend, may I join your quest?"

"But of course!" said the Reticent Detective, tapping the pot helmet on her head. "From this day forward, you shall be... my Little Sidekick!"

"Little Sidekick"? Is that my new character?

It's your official title! Every great detective needs a brilliant sidekick.

Okay... so what does a Little Sidekick actually do?

Truth is, I'm on a case. A big one. A gang of no-good, child-snatching bandits is back in town, and they're planning something awful, right here in Icelake. But no one else has noticed.

Look, I found this scrap in Big Bin No. 3. See this mark? It's exactly like the one from the crime scene a year ago.

But the Security Bureau didn't think it counts as evidence... So now it's up to me, the Reticent Detective, to track them down, stop their wicked plot, and keep the children of Icelake safe!

Little Sidekick, let's solve the case together! I've already checked Bins No. 1 through to 5. I'm heading to Bin No. 6 next... which means Bin No. 7 is your mission!

Yes, ma'am! Little Sidekick Fina, on the case!

Eww... it's all rubbish... ...Uh-uh! I can't give up now! I'm the brave Little Sidekick of the great Reticent Detective, and I've got a mission to finish!

Let's see... here's a scrap of paper. Maybe there's a clue?

"All you need is the right opportunity, and you could be the next bigshot..." Huh? What's this...? Anyway, I don't think bigshots go around stealing children.

And this one says...

"Every citizen of Icelake is familiar with the meteoric rise and sudden downfall of the Glenville family..." Huh!?

Phew... no mention of Mum or me. What does "hidden history" mean, anyway...? Mmm... doesn't seem related to the case. I'll just pretend I didn't see that.

You're back, Little Sidekick! Look, I found a local paper with a mark on it! It's an ad for a theatre show... maybe the bandits are targeting the theatre!

Sorry... I didn't find anything at all.

Don't worry, Little Sidekick! Every great detective must endure the long, dark night before the dawn of truth!

Like... when a magician has to blow up a hundred sparkly phials before finally making the perfect potion?

Exactly! Brilliant analogy, you're a natural! Now then, I'll go check Bin No. 8. You take Big Bin No. 9!

Yes, ma'am!

Hmm... just more old newspaper scraps. Where could the clue be hiding...?

Oh! I know, time to call in another magical friend! Now... who should I invite this time?

Right, this is a job for the smart and wonderful Miss Unicorn!

Neigh~?

O wise Miss Unicorn... Will you help me find the hidden clue?

(Scans the area with poised, elegant focus)

Neigh...!

Huh...? What's this, a torn-up picture?

Let's piece it together... Oh! That's the same mark the Reticent Detective showed me!

You really did help me find a clue, you're amazing, Miss Unicorn! Thank you so much!

Neigh~♪

But what is this picture...? And why is there a yellow triangle right here...? Hmm... I should bring this to the Reticent Detective.

Little Sidekick, did you find anything?

I found this picture! It has a strange mark on it!

Let me see... Aha, it's a map! Yes, that mark matches perfectly. The paper, the ink... even the handwriting, all just like the note I found earlier.

And look, this line here shows a path... and it leads to... this spot. Wait a second... could this be their hideout? No wonder no one's caught them, they've been hiding outside the city all along!

Well well, you sneaky bastards... your child-snatching days are over! I'm taking this straight to the Security Bureau, they'll nab the whole lot of you!

So... was the Little Sidekick helpful to the Reticent Detective?

Of course! You were a huge help. You're the best Little Sidekick in all of Icelake!

Heehee... actually, I had a little helper too. It was all thanks to Miss Unicorn that I found the clue~

Whoa! I didn't know you could pull off tricks like that! Honestly, your talent's wasted on being just a sidekick... Tell you what, from now on, you're the Fairy-Tale Detective!

Fairy-Tale Detective...? Is that my new title? I love it!

Then, Fairy-Tale Detective, my awesome friend, until our next case! I've got to file this before the Security Bureau closes!

Okay, good luck!