[quote=Dedonus]
Wait, doesn't Mario have the cube right now? Because at the end, it says that Clay hands it over. 
[/quote]

In the last post I made, Clay snatches it from Mario to ask Nierefiem about it. Trying to start the Lancer-Leader friendly rivalry off early, although Mario handing it to the war-prince makes more sense seeing as he's the leader, so it's all good.