The river burbled and sang as squirrels chattered in the trees and swallows flew overhead, free as, well, birds. Flowers and branches swayed lazily in the light wind that blew itself through the forest clearing. And hopping through all of this was a young wolf, with green fur, a long, razor-sharp arrowhead tail and large feathery wings on his back. Riding on his tail was a crow, with feathers as black as the darkest night. Her bright black eyes surveyed the clearing as the wolf stopped and collapsed, panting.
Behind the two was a rustling noise, and two people emerged from the bushes. One was a young man, in green and black clothes. He wore overalls, gloves, a black mask and a green cap and bandanna. The latter was tied around the man's neck.
Next to him, hovering sedately in the air, was another person, if you could call him a person. His face was mask-like and he wore a purple-and-yellow jester costume. His purple shoes were curled at the ends, and his smile looked creepy and sinister.
"This the place?" asked Mr. L, turning to look at Dimentio with utmost dislike.
"As you wished," replied Dimentio, accompanying his reply with a mock bow. His grin widened.
Mr. L glared at Dimentio for a moment, as though readying himself to hit him. However, he made an indistinguishable noise, something between a grunt and a scoff. Then, he turned to the other two and whistled. The crow flapped her wings and flew to Mr. L, landing on his shoulder and directing her curious gaze to Dimentio.
The wolf straightened up and walked over to Mr. L. He lowered his voice and whispered, "Is that weird jester guy gonna be with us all the way?"
"Bolt," said Mr. L warningly. Bolt fell silent. The crow cawed.
"Xena!" said Mr. L sharply.
Xena snickered and tightened her grip on Mr. L's shoulder, who refused to wince. Instead, the latter turned to Dimentio.
"Have you finished your pleasant little conversation, yet?" inquired Dimentio.
Mr. L nodded gruffly.
Dimentio's smile grew more dark and sly, and he clicked his fingers. In an instant, a dark-blue rectangular box with glinting gold hinges appeared out of nowhere, leaving a strange ripple of air behind. Dimentio caught it deftly and held it out to Mr. L.
"Here," he said. "This box contains your wildest dreams. Like a genie in its lamp, they are desperate to be released. But, of course, I cannot open the box. You must."
Mr. L took the box, failing to notice Dimentio's smile, which had switched from sinister to evil-looking. Xena tugged his hair and Bolt whimpered, but both failed to catch the masked man's attention. A look of apprehension on his face, Mr. L opened the box with trembling hands.