Chapter 12 part 2

"That's why you can't tell her that you love her now, Dimentio…." Mr. L finished explaining it to the jester.

His eyes narrowed slightly, "… Queen's orders you say?"

"Yes."

"…. So there's nothing dangerous that needs to be stopped here?"

"Nope!" He responded grinning.

He was annoyed, "Well, I'm going back to Helen now, because she seemed disappointed because of you."

"Wait Dim—" but he already vanished.

He appeared a few ways behind her and saw the she was using the Ninja Star to get a kite out of the tree. It appeared in her hands and she walked over and handed it to the small toad.

"Oh thank you!" He heard the child cry out then he ran off back to his small house.

"Make sure to stay away from the trees when you fly the kite again!" She warned as she waved the cute child goodbye.

Slowly Dimentio floated over, "… that was so sweet of you."

She jumped and whirled around, "D-Dimentio! Y-you scared me! Wh-why are you back so soon? I-I thought—!"

He held up a hand, "There is no need for an explanation, my dear."

He smiled sweetly and gestured outward, "Shall we continue walking before it gets dark?"

"U-uhhh…!" She was speechless, but she slowly nodded.

He chuckled then landed on the ground and started walking.

She stared for a while then quickly caught up. Blushing, she hesitantly said, "Thank you…"

"For what, my dear?"

"… Coming back… you didn't have to…"

"I know, but I wanted to," he took her hand in his.

Chapter 13

More tears of this Emergency

It was night time and Dimentio had no nightmares about his past this night. He guessed that Helen was right. He was sleeping so peacefully until he heard the door burst open and a small whimper aroused from the darkness.

"D-Dimentio…?"

Quickly he got up and snapped his fingers, which turned the lights on. Then he saw Helen standing beside his bed, crying and cuddling her pillow tightly.

"D-dear, wha-what's wrong?"

"… M-mommy…" Was her only reply...

This made his chest pang.

"Come with me, my dear." He clasped her hand gently and led her to the den.

When they arrived he urged her to sit and let her talk it out. She kept having nightmares about her and her family.

"Dimentio, why? Why can't I see her? IS SHE DEAD?" She wheezed out frantically. She was gripping his hand and the Ninja Star tightly, which made her palm start to bleed.

He gingerly touched her cheek, "Helen, I believe she's alright and so is your family…"

"Y-you don't know!" She screamed, shaking and coughing violently.

"H-Helen, please, calm yourself. Let's not go to the ER at this time of night…."

She tried so hard to do so but she couldn't. She tried to teleport to her mother but the Star couldn't do that. She began to sob harder.

Dimentio shook slightly. He didn't want her to go nor did he want her to cry and suffer. Then an idea came into his mind which he knew he would soon rue. He forced back some tears and put a hand on her forehead.

"… I'm so sorry, Helen… but this is the only way… I hate seeing you suffer…" He heard his voice crack as he spoke then he began "You will forget you'd ever had a family… you will think that you were raised here… Now… sleep."

ZAP

Helen's eyes turned white then her eyes closed… she fell into unconsciousness and feel forward into the jester's arms. Slowly he laid her down on the sofa and sat beside her.

Tears fell from his eyes as he stared at her, sorrowfully. Suddenly he held her tightly and cried softly into her shoulder.

"… Er, Dim?" A voice asked from the darkness.

Dimentio groaned and slowly opened his eyes to see Mr. L standing over them from the other side of the couch.

"… Should I know what happened last night?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as teleported beside him and crossed his arms. He sighed, "She had another nightmare about her family again… I-... I had to take her memories of them away…"

Mr. L was shocked.

"I-I know she can't leave us… I-I just didn't want her to suffer anymore…"

He gave a nod, "I understand… You know, great plans must have sacrifices."

"Indeed…" he replied softly as he gazed at the sleeping girl.

"… How did it feel?"

He blinked and looked at the engineer, "How did what feel?"

"You know… being that close beside her… crying your eyes out…"

He narrowed his eyes, "I wasn't crying."

"… Why are your eyes red then?"

He sighed, "… Alright, you got me… I-I couldn't help it…"

"I know, bud," He patted his shoulder, "A lot of things can't be helped."

"… Why are you trying to comfort me?"

"I donno… you're kinda still my master." He took off his glove and showed his hand which had a faded 'D' mark on it.

"Hm… If I wasn't would you… be my friend of somewhat?"

He blinked a bit surprised, "… Yes, as long as you apologize for killing me."

He rolled his eyes, "Alright, I apologize for killing you."

"… You know, if you want since you're still my master, you could let me go." He pointed at the mark.

"… Do you not want to be my little servant forever~?" He smirked.

"… Not really… but it's your choice not mine."

"Fine then" he tapped his hand which made the mark disappear, "I've made my decision."

Mr. L grinned.

"Hm… Say why did you say that you didn't take orders from me why back when Helen came huh?"

"I can't tell you, I ain't your servant anymore! I won't spill!"

He was a bit speechless then he smirked as he put his hands on his hips, "Well played, Lysander, well played. You conned me."

He flinched at the sound of his actual name but chuckled then there was a moan and Helen sat up rubbing her head, "Ok… why do I have a headache…? Did I drink alcohol last night? What happened?"

"No dear, you didn't have anything last night…"

"… What happened then?"

"I believe you had a nightmare and came to me…"

"Oh I see…" She stretched out her back. She yawned, "…. I'm hungry."

"… Hey, Helly, guess what day it is."

"… Um, Wednesday?"

"Yes, but there's a holiday on this Wednesday…."

She blinked then she realized where this was going, "… Oh God no! I hate Halloween!"

"What's so bad about it dear?" Dimentio asked a bit confused.

"… I hate being scared…"

"... It's to bad since you're going anyway."

She glared at the mechanic.

He looked at the jester and said as he walked out of the room, "I hope you don't faint at the sight of fake blood, Dimmy."

He snarled at him as he left them.

"… So much hate I am having…"

Dimentio couldn't help but chuckle, "Ah, brushing up on you Engrish I see!"

She smiled slightly, "You can say that…"

"I can understand why you hate this Halloween so… but… I will be by your side." He took her hand which instantly made her blush.

Slowly she smiled back then asked, "I have no idea who I'm going to be… Do you?"

Later, night fell and everyone was gathered in front of the castle doors, except Helen and Dimentio.

Cackletta was dressed as an orange sparkling witch, suggested by Mr. L. Fawful was dressed up as young Frankenstein and Mr. L was a person in jail.

Cackletta growled impatiently, "Where are they? They're taking forever!"

"They'll be here…" He sighed, "Hopefully."

Dimentio had buttoned up his tux and was now trying to fix his tie. In all human male or any species relative to humans; have trouble with ties, any tie.

He sighed and just did the best he could, hopefully no one would notice. He turned and put on his Mad Hatter hat and Dracula cape.

He stared at himself in a mirror Mr. L let him borrow. He had his mask on, though he knew it would, probably, attract attention. He knew they were all going to the Mushroom Kingdom for the fun games they heard about. He opened his mouth slightly, seeing his fangs which were made by magic. He double checked everything.

"… And the shockcollar…." He sighed a bit sadly but confirmed that he had everything and teleported.

Helen walked over, no trudged over, glaring at Mr. L. She was wearing the original Alice in Wonderland outfit, ribbons and all, including a blue cape.

"I hate you so much!" She snarled at him.

"Hey, you like the movie!"

"Yes, but I hate dresses! I'm not a girly girl! I'm a boy in a girl's body… sometimes…."

"Yeah, like if you see or read something 'really adorable' you go in your little girl state." He reminded her smirking broadly.

"Shut up and quick acting like you know everything about me." She whirled around and saw Dimentio right behind her. She jumped and stumbled back, yelping in surprise. At the sight of him wearing a tuxedo she gasped and put a hand over her lips as blush overwhelmed her cheeks.

Bright blush were on his cheek as well. He had never seen her in a dress before...

"Wh-whoa…" Helen slowly let out, "… You look HOT in a tux!"

She covered her mouth again, afraid if anything else would come out if she didn't.

Dimentio gazed at her with raised eyebrows and wide eyes. His blush was burning like fire and heart galloping like a running horse.

He was speechless for a while then he slowly spoke, "Tha-thank you… I'd say you…" he choice his words carefully, "… look… lovely as well…"

Her eyes grew wide. Rapidly she gazed downward. Smirking smugly he flew over to her and lifted her head up gently by touching her under her chin, "in fact… now that I realize it… blue really brings out your eyes greatly."

Shaking slightly her blush brightened up more than before as she stared into his bicolor eyes. Suddenly that smirk faded into a deep, sorrowful frown. He slipped away his fingers and his hand returned to his side when he turned to the mechanic, "Shall we go?"

"Finally!" Cackletta cheered, "I want this to hurry up so I can get out of this stupid costume!"

"If it's so stupid why are you wearing it?"

"You force me against my will!"

Dimentio rolled his eyes and repeated a bit roughly, "Shall we go?"

"Yeah, yeah…" then they vanished.

The whole Mushroom Castle and Toad Town was dark and covered with Jack-O-Lanterns with different carvings. The toads were dressed up as zombies, witches, mummies, skellingtons and the like.

"This is going to be fun!" Mr. L smirked gleefully as they all were looking around in awe.

"You know what… I'm actually impressed!" Cackletta commented suddenly, "I thought the dorky shrooms were going to take it easy… Even the costumes look a bit realistic!"

"Look out Dim! One might be a zombie covered in blood!" Mr. L teased which just made the vampire hatter a bit angrier than he'd like.

"Oh of noing!" Fawful unexpectedly hushed, "Girl of greenness and woman of secretariness are right of thereing!"

All of their heads turned the direction Fawful was pointing at and indeed they were there, sitting on a bench taking a break from walking, (and Mimi eating some candy). Fawful couldn't help but stare at Mimi. She wore a beautiful green and pink princess dress. If it wasn't on her it would've made him gag.

"Well, we must be very careful so that won't spot us!" Dimentio whispered a fair warning to the group.

Just then there was a familiar high-pitched voice coming from the bench, "Fawfie? Is that you?"

Everyone froze.

"'Fawfie'?" Cackletta repeated with displeasure which made the human bean gulp and giggle nervously. Then the green girl swept the bean off his feet, swinging him around a few times the stopped and hugged him, "I knew you'd come! I just knew it!"

She then examined him as he went into a daze, "That's adorable! You're actually wearing young Frankenstein's clothes! That's so CUTE!"

His cheeks were red as a Red Chomp.

Slowly Nastasia came over and noticed the group trying to slowly walk away. She made them freeze again when she spoke, "I can see you."

And they froze again.

"Ah… haha… H-hello Nastasia…" Dimentio greeted hastily, grabbing Helen by the hand in case their cover was blown again but by the heroes.

"… We knew you'd come."

"Wait what?" Helen was shocked and very unsure what was going on.

Then they looked around. They were surrounded by guards in costumes who are now holding spears.

"Slaaaag…" Helen muttered in Transformers' lang.

"Oh, this is perfect… Nice job, Dim, ya could have said something!" Cackletta scolded furiously.

"How could I know? They do this every year!" Dimentio shouted back as angrier as her.

"Shut it-a, you two!" an Italian voice yelled.

The group turned to see the three heroes. Luigi, Peach, and Mario who were also in costume; Mario and Luigi were vampire twin and the Princess was a pirate.

"Traitor…" Mario suddenly said as he glared at Helen.

"… E-excuse me?" She was as stunned as the humans behind her, strangely not Mr. L who was faking it.

"How could you? We tried to befriend you! And now you're helping the villains try to take over!" Peach joined in, stepping forward.

"D-Dimentio, what are they talking about?"

"I-I—"

"O-oh, you know exactly what we're talking about!" Luigi finally spoke up, bravely, "You helped the toads with their daily needs and helped us once when the princess was kidnapped!"

The jester's eyes narrowed slightly as he whispered to her, "when did this happen?"

"… Wh-when you were in a coma…"

"Ah, I see, you took advantage…"

"Wha-what? I-I—!"

"No, secret plots! Spill them out NOW!" He threw a rotten tomato at her face harshly that made her yell in surprise. Slowly she touched her cheek which was where it hit her as tears started to form.

That was apparently a cue for more tomatoes to be thrown at. Mimi quickly led Fawful out of the crossfire which he didn't mind though he felt guilty for Helen since she was his videogame buddy. She didn't even move nor scream out in pain. She took in the pain and shook violently as she cried softly. Dimentio watched this until he couldn't take it anymore. He stood in front of her with his arms out and glaring right into the red plumber's soul and everything came to a halt.

The red hero stared at him, shocked.

"That's... quite… enough…" He seethed feverishly.

She whispered softly, "… D-Dimentio…"

He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"… You don't have to protect me… I deserve this…"

"N-no! You don't!" he grabbed her by the shoulders and looked directly into her tearstained eyes. He didn't notice he was lying but he had to, "it-it's not true what they're saying! It's not!"

"… Dimēn… I appreciate you trying to make me feel better… but that was my choice."

He began to shake as tears willingly spilled. Suddenly he whimpered quietly, "… Wh-why…? Why are you so pure…?"

She stared at him, utterly shocked of what she had just heard. Slowly she touched his cheek, comfortingly.

Suddenly a tomato hit the jester's back which came from Luigi. The princess shouted out him a bit angrily, "L-Luigi!"

Again the throwing of tomatoes began again at all of them, except Fawful. Helen quickly hugged Dimentio as she took in half of the blows.

"Let's get outta here!" Cackletta cried as one threw by her. Mr. L nodded then all of them, including Fawful, disappeared.

"Ohh… I knew this was a bad idea… Mario, you shouldn't have trusted Mr. L!" Peach glared at him slightly.

"How was this a bad idea? It was perfect! You know that Helen betrayed us!" Mario shouted back.

"No she didn't! Don't you remember? She's being deceived by them! She has no idea that they are!"

"It sounded like it…" He crossed his arms stubbornly and turned away.

"Oh, Mario…" She sighed, "Didn't you notice anything weird about Dimentio?"

"Weird? Weird how?"

"… He was in love, Mario. He's in love with the one he's deceiving…."

Hearing this Nastasia came over, "Um, sorry to intrude but I could help overhearing… But I could tell that about him to… he was tearing up too… yeah, I didn't get to hear what they were saying though…"

"I do! I'll show you!" Mimi suddenly answered excitedly, raising her hand up. Then she turned into Dimentio, "'that's quite enough…'"

She transformed into Helen and repeated a little to dramatically, "'… D-Dimentio… You don't have to protect me… I deserve this…!'"

She went back to Dimentio, "'N-no! You don't! It-it's not true what they're saying! It's not!'"

"'…Dimentio… I appreciate you trying to make me feel better… but that was my choice.'"

"'… Wh-why…? Why are you so pure…?'…. End scene."

She went back to herself, grinning, "Well? I've been taking drama classes! Was I to dramatic?"

"… A bit…" Luigi responded a tad nervously.

"Please, more than a bit!" Mario commented truthfully, "Anyway, how do you know Fawful, Mimi?"

"Oh… um… He… came over to Merlee's."

"Seriously?"

"Y-yeah… he's been visiting me for a while… I think he likes me!" She proclaimed with a giggle.

"… Yeaaah… that'll be something…"

"Nastasia, did you know about this?" The princess asked the secretary.

She nodded and replied simply in a low growl, "Recently…"

"Yeaaah! Recently!" Mimi said rather cheerfully.

All looked at her quizzically.

"Hehe, uh… sorry… Me and Fawfie saw the original Snow White… He was terrified of that part where Snowy was in the forest… He didn't say why…"

The bros exchange looks and a little telepathic talk, 'Looks like he's still afraid of the dark…'

They all appeared back at the castle.

"I'll get some towels…" Mr. L said as he ran to the bathroom.

"Why-…why did you protect me…? Why do you love me…?" these questions were more hushed than a whisper and so there was no answer for them.

"Wha-what do you mean that I'm pure, Dimentio…?" She asked him confusedly.

Slowly he touched both her cheeks, "…. You said you'd be in my place back then, you set me free when I born and raised as an evil alley… You don't care if we kill you… or deceive you… You're so unpredictable… and pure… and so… loving…" Swiftly and suddenly he got very close to her lips that she gasped but he was only an inch away… he couldn't. His mind wouldn't let him. He embraced her tightly and sobbed passionately.

Helen stared upward in stun as he said abruptly, "…I don't deserve to live… I'm so sorry…! I had to do it…! You had a family! I didn't want you to suffer…. I didn't want you to leave me—us… You're needed here… I promise you'll get back to your family soon enough! I promise! I promise from the bottom of my pathetic heart…"

ZAP

Her eyes grew wide. Instantly she pulled away from him, "… You erased my memory… of them…?"

"D-dear…" he slowly extended a hand towards her. He opened his mouth to speak again but… Unexpectedly she kissed him right on the lips. When he realized this his eyes grew very wide. He didn't have the courage to return it… he couldn't…

Slowly she pulled away and said, "I'm sorry that I can't forget them… they're almost everything to me… and I can't forget them for you… but I know one day they all are going to go one day… in accident or disease or of old age… And soon I have to live without them somehow… I guess it's now… but I do miss them Dimentio… I just want a piece of them to remember… is that so hard to ask for…"

He whispered three words into her hear as he pulled away, "… The Ninja Star…"

"Huh…?"

"… That is your reminder of them," he took her hand and laid it in his, turning it over to see it's palm. Slowly Helen uncurled her fingers to reveal the Star.

"… What do you think of when you see this…"

"… My family… A small memory of me and my mom making origami things…"

Hesitantly he took a small step back, "Now, you see, this is a reminder… it might not make sense now… but it will in the far future…"

Helen looked a bit confused then looked up at the jester and into his eyes. She smiled as if this was a present, "… Thank you… so much… for caring for me…"

He slowly nodded. While that small scene was going on Mr. L had already arrived and saw all that, including the kiss. The mechanic walked over and handed them a towel.

"Dim… can I talk to you? … After you change, you really reek!"

He rolled his eyes, "Fine…"

"Dimentio," She touched his arm and said simply, "you do deserve to live…"

Then she vanished.

After a bit when he got changed into his jester outfit.

"I know it was you, Mr. L. What did you say to those idiotic heroes?"

He just smirked, "Oh, nothing!"

"I know you've done something you'll regret, so tell me."

A shock went up Dimentio's spine as the engineer replied, "I don't have to tell you anything, Dimentio..."

He fell onto his knees. Faintly he glared up at him as he shook in pain.

"…By the way, how was that kiss?"

The jester looked at the engineer confusedly then his eyes grew wide as his cheeks burst into flames of burning blush. Instantly he touched his lips, "Oh Grambi…! Her lips touched mine…"

"… I'm sorry, but you did you not notice that until now?" Mr. L inquired a bit curious about how the jester thinks.

"I did… but my mind was clouded… So that is what a kiss is like..?"

"HA! That's only half of it. You have to return it."

When he said that his cheeks inflamed brighter, "R-return it…? Oh my…"

He couldn't help but giggle at his reaction, "Yeaaah, you've got a lot to learn about this…" He looked around for any soul and the put an arm on the jester's shoulders after one more look over his shoulder, "Here… take my advice; tell her your feelings on Valentine's Day. That's when some people tell their crushes. Trust me."

"… Um… al-alright…" He replied slowly.

He pulled away smiling, "What are you so nervous for? We're friends aren't we? Like bros, we help each other out." He nudged his shoulder lightly.

He studied him like a fossil then smirked, "Okay, then how about this, as a friend, you know, how friends tell each other everything, yes? Then tell what you did that made this stupid mess HAPPEN?"

"Geez, you don't just get over anything do you? Why don't you relax for once? You're always so stressed out."

"I don't NEED to relax! I'll relax when I want to relax, alright?"

"Do you want to relax, now?" A voice questioned behind him.

They both looked and saw Helen in new clothes Dimentio have not seen her wear before. She wore a brown short sleeve shirt, which had designs of words of peace and the shirt had a hood, gray shorts, and pure white shirt/jacket. Her hair was in her eyes which she didn't mind at all, "It really sounds like you do… I can give you a massage if you want."

Mr. L burst into laughter.

He rolled his eyes, "ignore him… U-um… s-sure…"

She smiled slightly, "C'mon."

She took him by the arm and led him to his room.

When they left Mr. L's laughter ceased and he just grinned, "it seems like they're getting more emotional about each other." Then he added softly, "… Is Helen that dense? Whatever… I have to tell the Queen anyway."

Then he vanished.