Alistair was at first perplexed as to why Casey was taking such a stern tone with him. It hadn't been his intention to upset Lulu, but unfortunately he couldn't help it. If his thoughts were right then the boy that was commiting this crime was not very smart. That thought was what worried him. The boy had clearly not thought through his plan for there was a gaping floor in the logic behind it all.<br/>As Casey let go he frowned at the yellow marks on his shirt and brushed himself off. He glanced from his shirt to Casey. Another perplexed feeling ran through him as he tried to consider what had made Casey loose control of her powers. Had she been that disapointed with him? Or had she lost control because of something else.<br/>A strange pang of guilt began to run through him as he considered the thought. He looked over her shoulder at Lulu who seemed to look glumly at the floor.<br/>'Lulu. Casey. I apologise, but this Ryan character is an idiot' He began and held up his hand as Lulu got to her feet to protest.<br/>'Please hear me out Lulu' He asked sincerely. Lulu stared at him for a moment as if she were considering whether to hit him or not. After a moment of silence she sat down.<br/>'Thank you' Alistair spoke before turning back to the painting 'He's not very smart because this plan of his has noticable flaws. You see he realises that someone is going to stumble upon the swapped painting at some point. More than likely the artist herself will examine the picture and realise what happened.'<br/>'Now a smart person would feign ignorance if they were questioned. A smart person would suggest that the thief was just very strange. There's nothing linking them to the crime other than the fact that it's their picture.'<br/>Alistair turned back to them and smiled broadly before pointing to the painting behind him forcefully.<br/>'But this young man; Ryan Black, has been driven stupid by fear. He's so afraid that someone will discover the painting that he puts on a costume and poses as the Phantom of the Opera. Why? To scare everyone away - and it'll work on the staff and the students if he keeps this up.'<br/>'Now he could just step down as Romeo and walk away from the play and hope that no one notices the painting's secret, but he doesn't want that. Stepping down may mean he won't get cast for the next play and that means everything to him because that's how he shows off to the unsuspecting girls from other schools that come to see his show. He shows how talented and perfect he is on stage and then they fall to his charms.' He smiled apologetically at Lulu. She was now squirming uncomfortably in her seat. It was clear she didn't like what Alistair was accusing Ryan of.<br/>'So there's only one option.' He spoke softly, 'Sabotage. The play gets canceled and he gets a thrill off being the phantom and getting away with his crime'<br/>He frowned for a moment as he considered everything he had said. He had enjoyed investigating this intriguingly bizarre crime, but now he was beginning to get to the part that worried him. The part that he would have to explain a little more in depth later on.<br/>'He's made a mistake that he could not hope to avoid.' He began, 'Because you see he doesn't realise that by doing this he's attracted the attention of others like him. He's not aware they exist and that have amazing abilities and that they'll try to bring him to justice. He doesn't know that their onto him and that they know a genuine Phantom of the Opera when they see one.'<br/>At that moment there was a thunderous crash as a large figure dressed in a black cloak landed behind Alistair. His face was covered with a white skeleton mask and he was wearing a black suit and gloves. He stared at Casey and Lulu with glowing red eyes before grabbing Alistair around the waist from behind.<br/>'And he doesn't look like that.' Alistair said casually and pointed back at the masked man before the two of them flew into the ceiling above.<br/>They hung from the solid metal frame of the rigging. One of the phantoms hands was around Alistairs waist while the other held on tight to the metal bars.<br/><em>'Leave now or I'll drop him and you'll watch him crack like an egg!'</em>The figure hissed in a low voice. His red eyes flaring with rage. His voice didn't sound like that of an angel of music, it sounded like it belonged to a rat or a serpent.<br/>'Casey when I say the word hit him with everything you've got!' Alistair called out ignoring the villains threat. He remained as still as possible, holding his arms up to motion for the two of them to stay still until he gave the order.