Author's Note:
A Christmas present to my readers...Two chapters within 24 (or so) hours of each other.
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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.
Chapter 10:
An Official Mission
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In the Inner Sanctum, Count Bleck and Nastasia were standing on their respectful platform.
"...Yeah, so I just got a brief memo from Mimi?" Nastasia reported. "It says 'I messed up bad!'...That's the message in it's entirely. Yeah..."
"Bleh heh heh heh heh...So she failed to best him even with my gift of power?" said Count Bleck. "A Light Prognosticus hero... Descendants of the ancient tribe... Their strength grows."
"COUNT BLECK!"
O'Chunks appeared and landed on a platform on the left side. "I beg yeh, gimme the honor o' whalin' on this pack o' nambly-pamblies! I swear on me whiskers that I'll spank 'em like naughty little Cherbils, I will!"
"Oh, so, O'Chunks, yeah, you think you're all set to go?" said Nastasia. "So I guess you finished up that report on your own inadequacy that I needed?"
"Eah... Y'see... I...just got a wee bit left. I'm workin' on me conclusion. Yeh gotta gimme a break! Me writin' takes time, lass! An' 1,000 pages be a lot!"
"O'Chunks, calm yourself. Take a minion time-out. Count Bleck will sent...Dimentio! Come to me... Count Bleck!"
Dimentio appear as sudden as ever. "And so I arrive, like a sudden windstorm at a kindergarten picnic."
"Bleh heh heh heh heh heh... You'd like some playtime, I imagine, Dimentio?" said the Count "So you shall have it, but do not disappoint Count Bleck. Dispatch this hero."
"Your wish is my command. Besides, this fool sounds like an amusing challenge." said Dimentio "Now if there is nothing else, I'll just be on my way. Ciao, my Count" And off the jester went.
"Yeah, so, O'Chunks? Can you fill me in on why you're still not writing that report?" asked Nastasia.
"A report?! What are yeh... Oh... Yeah. A'right, I'm goin', yeh great beard-tweaker!" O'Chunks jump of the platform and left.
After O'Chunks left, Nastasia turn to the Count. She knew the Count wouldn't talk about what happened earlier in the kitchen with Luigi, so she figures on giving him the castle's status.
"Count, let me just bring you up to speed on the current state of the castle..." she said."I still have to root out a few unconverted rouges, but I'll report back soon..."
"Actually, Nastasia," The Count said "I have an assignment in mind that might prove useful."
Nastasia paused and turned back to him. "An assignment? K', for whom?"
"For Luigi, of course" Count Bleck turned to her. "An addiction to Dimentio's mission against the heroes; Luigi is to befriend them, learn everything he can about them, and report any weaknesses they might have to Dimentio, ensuring their defeat."
Nastasa nodded. "Understood"
She bows before walking off her platform. Count Bleck watches her leave. To her, it was just another mission assignment. But to him, it was his way to give Luigi some space away from all this. If he returns, then it means that he's willing to serve Count no matter what. And if he doesn't...then the Count will not go after him; Luigi has his full blessing to depart whenever.
"Heroes... Trying to save these pathetic old worlds... Bleck, says Count Bleck! Bleh heh heh heh heh heh heh... Their efforts are in vain. No one can stop Count Bleck!"
And off he goes, with the Dark Prognosticus flipping right after him.
"Just as no one can ease the tempest that rages in my suffering heart..."
X~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~X
Luigi was in his room, lying on his bed, letting his mind wonder. He had taken shower moments ago and was now wearing a comfortable green sweater with dark blue pants. His thoughts, of course, were still on the conversation he had with the Count.
On one hand, he felt upset and possibly angry that he been lied to his entire life. On the other hand, he could probably understand why the Count had to lie. A little kid wouldn't, (or rather couldn't), understand things like this. He could probably relate with the Count and understand why he was doing this; a tragedy such as his could lead anyone off the wall.
Still, the Count should have told him the truth as soon as he was old enough; back when he had a choice, instead of letting it carry on until now. He felt like he was taking this too far; there are innocents' lives he will be taking and they didn't deserve any off this. Then again, he was a sheltered child; he hasn't been exposed much to the real world or it's harshest. Sure he can handle a few mean Koopas and Goombas, but can he himself handle the loss of a love one?
Luigi sighed and rolled over onto his belly. He needed time to think about this. A peaceful walk might help, but Luigi didn't feel like heading down to Flopside or Flipside. Then again, hanging around the castle wasn't doing much either.
A knock on his door drew his attention. He stood up and headed for the door. When he opened it, he saw Nastasia standing outside.
"Nastasia?"
"Luigi, I would like to talk to you."
"Y-Yes, Ma'am; please, come in."
Nastasia nodded and step inside. Luigi closes the door behind and stood in front of her. "So, uhm, what did you want to talk about?"
"Well, first things first, what did you and the Count talk about in the kitchen?"
Luigi bows his head. "Nothing much; he just told me a few things, is all."
Nastasia raise a brow. "A few things? About what?"
Luigi kept his head down. "The truth...about what he's really doing with the Chaos Heart."
Nastasia looked surprise for a moment before her expression softens. "I see. So he told you that."
Now it was Luigi's turn to look surprise. "You knew...?"
She nodded. "Yes Luigi, I knew. And I'm sorry we had to lie to you all these years. We were afraid you wouldn't understand."
"That what he said." Luigi mumbled. "Did he tell you about... her?"
Luigi didn't feel like he had permission to say her name, even if he wasn't on speaking terms with the Count right now.
"Yes, he told me about her a while back; not too long after I join him. I see he's still having trouble telling it to someone, right?"
"Yes, he is" Luigi said sadly.
Nastasia frowned. "Look, I know you're having second thoughts about all this and you have the right to. But please understand this, Luigi. The Count only tells his life story to the people he trust the most. Out of everyone in the castle, you and I are the only ones he told so it's only right that we keep it to ourselves, 'K?"
Luigi thought about it for a second before slowly nodding. "Okay, I won't tell anyone about the Count's story, but I don't know if I still approve of his actions."
Nastasia sighed, slightly. "I understand that, which is why I'm here."
"Wait, you didn't come here just to 'convince' me otherwise, did you?" Luigi said, with a hint of anger (and fear) in his voice.
"No, I'm actually here to assign your new mission away from the castle."
Luigi's eyes widen from surprise. "A new mission?"
Nastasia nodded, adjusting her glasses before explaining the details. "I think the Count know you could use some time away to gather your bearing so he assign this special mission to you. Now, normally this type of mission will be best suited for Mimi. But since her latest defeat with the heroes, the Count feels that you're the next best thing. After all, you did have a pervious encounter with one of the heroes...even if it was a brief one."
Luigi nodded. The way he acted in front of the hero, Mario, was coming back to him. He wasn't proud of it at first but now he could use it to his advantage; make him think he wasn't a threat or, at the very least, one of Count Bleck's minions.
"By now you should know that there's a second hero; the Mushroom Princess Peach? She tends to be kind and hospitable around people but also naïve and stubborn, so it shouldn't be too hard to gain her trust."
Luigi nodded again. He was a bit upset with the pink princess when he last saw her in his 'dream'. Both he and Dimentio risk getting into trouble just to get her to safety, and she repays them by throwing herself into danger. 'I'm sorry, but that's just rude!'
"Now for the assignment itself." Nastasia continues. "Your job, Luigi, is to go undercover as an innocent and befriend the heroes. You will travel with them, learn their secrets, their strength, their weaknesses, and report it all to Dimentio, who will be the one facing them in due time. Once you done all that, you may report back to the castle at anytime."
"Right" Luigi nodded. This mission interests him; not only was he getting some time away from the castle but he was also getting the chance to travel around new worlds. That part is what excites him the most.
"And one more thing," she said "make sure the heroes don't see you formulating with Dimentio or anyone of the others. In the case that Dimentio does fail to best them, we could use your cover once more to gain an upper hand."
"I understand."
"Very well then" She adjusted her glasses once more. "I have to speak to Dimentio about this; he'll be your transporter for the mission. As I do that I suggest you use this time to prepare yourself."
"Agreed"
Nastasia nodded and headed for the door. "Good luck, Luigi."
Once Nastasia left, Luigi turns back to his room to prepare himself. Taking out a green backpack from his closet, Luigi became to pack what he thought will be best needed such as a first aid kit and an extra pair of clothes. He also thought about stopping by the kitchen real quick to pack some food and water. Just as he finishes packing his bag, he went over to his closet to change his clothes.
'If I learn anything from my dreams it's that traveling with Mario is never easy.' He thought, holding up a white and green shirt before hanging it back up. 'I'm going to need to wear something comfortable enough for me to catch up with him.'
The sound of someone teleporting attract his attention and he poke his head out the door to see Dimentio looking for him.
"Ah, there you are Luigi. I just finish speaking with Nastasia and when I heard we'll be working together I grew very excited...like a little boy finally getting his new puppy."
Luigi smiled and pokes his head back in the closet. "I'm excited, too Dim; nervous... but excited."
Dimentio floated over to the closet and waited there. "I see you want to make a good impression for the heroes."
"I just want to be prepared." said Luigi as he tries on some clothes. "I'll be traveling with them, you know? I just want to make sure I'm comfortable while I'm going it."
Dimentio chuckled, turning his attention to the window. "You sound like Mimi."
"Yeah, well, maybe some of her shopping skill is running off on me." Luigi step out of the closet with a new wardrobe on. "How do I look?"
Dimentio landed on the ground and turn around to him. An unseen eyebrow was raise before the smile on his face grew slightly.
"Perfect."
After a quick stop to the kitchen to pack some food and water, Luigi and Dimentio were off on their missions.
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Ending Note:
Hoped you enjoyed it.
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Merry Christmas and Review :)
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