When midnight finally came, Dimentio cautiously left his room. He was extremely quiet, the silence of the night filling the air. He made his way to Mimi's room, for the second phase of his ultimate plan was about to take place.
Just with O'Chunks mentioning the dungeon, Dimentio knew right away that somewhere, the man in green, Mr. L was there. But why would Count Bleck imprison Mr. L? After all, he was originally going to invite him to work for him, just like he did with the others. Perhaps Mr. L refused, and Count Bleck was going to force him to be the host of the Chaos Heart. Was Mr. L dangerous, could he destroy the count's plans? Many questions formed in Dimentio's mind.
For this reason, if something went wrong, he would have back up. He could use Mimi as distraction, to keep all unnecessary attention away from him. No matter what happens, there was no way that he could fail.
When Dimentio arrived at Mimi's door, he gave a soft knock.
As he stood there waiting, he felt a bit nervous. After his…negotiation with Mimi, when he saw her at dinner or thought about her, his stomach would turn. Not really understanding the feeling, he guessed it was probably caused by the fact he may have went a bit overboard with the flirting.
But, what else could he do?
He had to have her on his side; she was the only one he could easily manipulate. And the thought that she trusted Count Bleck more than him… He panicked; he couldn't afford her starting to favor the count over him.
No matter what.
Dimentio was kicked out of his thoughts as Mimi opened her door. She let out a soft yawn, rubbing her eyes.
"…Wouldn't it be easier if we just talked to Count Bleck?" Mimi asked. "I mean, really…"
"I know you still have your doubts, but trust me on this," Dimentio replied. "Now, stay close to me. We can't afford to wake anyone up. We will have to walk the halls in the dark, but I know exactly where to go."
"…Couldn't we just teleport?"
"The dungeon is protected by magic. If I could just simply teleport, I would have already."
"Whatever."
Mimi then took a hold of his arm as she gave a small smile.
"I'll follow you."
Dimentio nodded and smiled, pleased to have her close.
Side by side, they walked down the hallway, Dimentio guiding Mimi in the darkness. As they walked, as the hallways grew darker, he noticed that Mimi tightened her grip on his arm. Her gaze kept darting towards the walls, as if she expected something to jump out at her. Dimentio gave her a concerned look.
"Are you alright?"
Mimi stared at him. Though it was extremely dark, he could see the fear in her eyes.
"I...have bad experiences with the dark," Mimi reluctantly explained. "But, I will be fine. I can still help you."
"What kind of experiences?" Dimentio asked.
Mimi paused for a long moment, as if she was deciding if she should tell him or not.
Why is she reluctant talk to me, like a witness of a murder telling the truth to a judge?
"When I was little," Mimi finally said in a low voice. "I was chased by a…horrid monster in the dark. I don't want to go into much detail, but I've been afraid of the dark ever since."
"I see. Though you have nothing to fear."
Mimi blinked.
"As long as I'm with you, nothing evil shall touch you," Dimentio said. "You, bellezza, are in good hands. Like a princess being protected by her loyal guard."
Mimi smiled, her grip relaxing.
They continued the rest of the walk in silence, till they finally arrived at the entrance of the dungeon. They were on the second floor, in front of a large door, much larger than the others. Mimi started at it blankly.
"Strange, I don't remember seeing this door before."
Dimentio nodded.
"This door is protected by magic, dark magic if I am correct. It has the ability to hide itself and be able to shield itself from almost any type of harm."
"Are there other doors like this in the castle?"
"I've only seen two, including this one. But, we don't have much time. For this door only appears in darkness."
Dimentio stepped away from Mimi, generating a small electric sphere and threw it onto the door. Dimentio's magic reacted to the darker magic, causing some black electric sparks. Dimentio got in front of Mimi, in case the sparks got too violently.
"What I am doing," he explained, "is countering the magic that locks this door with my own. Hopefully, it will be powerful enough for it to temporarily take control and have me enter. Once I'm inside, I'll be on my own to explore freely. However, if my magic wears off, the door shall seal itself and I'll be trapped. That is where you come in."
The sparks grew more intense, making Dimentio and Mimi step back.
"When I'm inside, I want you to stand guard and alert me if anything goes wrong. From my magic failing to Count Bleck possibly passing by, anything that could disrupt the mission."
"How will I contact you if something happens?" Mimi asked.
"Throw a rubee into the room," Dimentio answered. "That will be the signal for me to retreat. If the situation gets worse, throw more rubees. Are you good with that?"
But before she had a chance to answer, for Mimi still looked uncertain, there was a loud crack. Dimentio's magic had taken control of the door.
"The grand moment as now arrived! Wish me luck."
Dimentio quickly ran inside. The room, to his surprise, was not a dungeon. In fact, it was just an empty room with two switches.
Immediately, he figured out one of them led to the dungeon.
He then pulled down the first switch. A huge trapped door revealed itself, making him almost fall. It quickly moved back into place, making it look like nothing happened. Pulling the second one, only with a bit more caution this time, a small, narrowed flank of stairs appeared. Dimentio smiled and slowly walked down them. The stairs seemed like they went down forever, as they became narrower and narrower. It was almost to the point where Dimentio felt claustrophobic. When he finally reached the bottom, the first thing he saw was a small light of a torch and the bars of two cells. Dimentio smiled gleefully.
He had reached his destination.
Turning invisible, he cautiously looked into the first cell. Inside was a sleeping girl and unconscious beast.
The girl looked like to be of royalty, probably a princess of some sort, as she was wearing a crown and a long, elegant pink dress. The beast looked like an over grown dragon turtle. Spikes came out of his green shell, his short tail flicking back and forth as he slept.
They had no idea that Dimentio was there, oblivious to any sort of sound or movement. Dimentio watched them. Why would the count imprison and princess and a dragon?
'For the end of all life to occur, the union of a princess pure of hearts and an evil king shall form the Chaos Heart.'
They must have been the couple that Count Bleck used to form the Chaos Heart.
But why keep them here, if their use is complete? Is it possible that they can destroy the Chaos Heart as well as create it?
Slowly approaching the next cell, he saw that there was another unconscious man.
He looked very similar to Mario, but much taller and a bit younger. His clothes were alike too, but he was wearing green and his cap had an L on it. Dimentio smiled.
At last, he had found Mr. L.
Mr. L snored in his sleep, muttering a bit. He sounded scared, like something was chasing him. Dimentio couldn't help but find it amusing.
Count Bleck must obviously have a plan for you, Mr. L, as you seem like nothing more then a harmless puppy. But don't worry. I won't let the count harm you. For I have my own plans. For you are going to give me the Chaos Heart.
Dimentio put his gaze back on the princess and dragon. They could be useful too, in their own way.
If I am going to be successful at getting the Chaos Heart, then I need to have Count Bleck weak or dead. Mario shall do a lovely job of that, for I can't blow my cover.
Snapping his fingers, Dimentio teleported the princess and the dragon out of Castle Bleck.
And he should thank me for giving him a few allies.
Dimentio put his full attention back on Mr. L, wondering what to do with him. Suddenly, he heard something fall down the stairs. He turned around to see a large rubee. Dimentio cursed.
He had to think of something fast!
He couldn't leave Mr. L all by himself. Who knows what Count Bleck will do to him?
More and more rubees fell down the stairs.
"Dimentio!" Mimi's voice faintly pierced his ears. "Dimentio, the door is closing!"
Dimentio gave one last look at Mr. L.
I'll come back for you later.
He then quickly teleported out of the dungeon. Once he appeared outside the door, Dimentio was temporally blinded by a huge, bright light.
The electric sparks from the door were going out of control, as it illuminated the entire hallway. Mimi was cornered against the wall, using a shield of rubees to protect her from the electricity, though it was doing little good, as tiny sparks went through the shield and burned her skin.
Mimi!
He made a glass box appear around her, shielding her from all harm. Mimi gasped as she saw him getting electrocuted with nothing to protect himself. Dimentio didn't even flinch at the pain of the sparks as he created another glass box around the door. It took all his energy, but he was able to conceal all electricity and light into one small space.
Soon, the light started to cease and the sparks started to disappear. The magic became stable again, Count Bleck's original spell being back in control. When it was over, Dimentio fell to the ground, gasping for air. The glass box that was around Mimi disappeared and she ran up to him.
"Dimentio!"
Dimentio let out a small chuckle.
"…I'm fine," he said, getting to his feet. "It's only a scratch."
"But you're bleeding!"
"Mimi, haven't we had this discussion before?"
He studied her, seeing that she was just in bad shape as he was. Maybe even worse, as there were burned marks all over her face and hands, along with bloody cuts.
"…Let's go back to your room so I can heal you," Dimentio said. "You have more injuries then I do and we can't have any evidence that we were involved if this event becomes known."
Mimi gave a small nod, as she teleported herself and him to her room. Once they were there, Dimentio ordered her to lie on her bed so he could perform a healing spell. Mimi did as he said, turning on a light as she closed her eyes. Dimentio smiled at how peaceful she looked as he chanted the healing spell softly. Her wounds healed very fast, so fast that the intense bleeding had completely stopped. Dimentio also healed himself, though his wounds didn't heal as quickly as Mimi's.
Mimi opened one eye.
"...Have you healed yourself yet?" she asked.
"I have, but my body won't heal as quickly as yours. Your wounds should be completely gone by tomorrow morning, don't worry."
"That's good, but why isn't yours..."
Dimentio put his finger over Mimi's mouth, silencing her. He smiled.
"You never have to worry about me, bellezza. I never do anything without considering the safety of myself. I'm always prepared."
Dimentio backed away slowly, heading towards the door.
"You've been a great help tonight. I've learned...all that I need to know."
Mimi smiled back.
"...I'm glad... But was the count really hiding anything from us?"
Dimentio chuckled softly.
He was going to reply, but something made him hesitate. He knew that Mimi adored the count, and knowing that he had kept a secret like Mr. L, she would be crushed.
Perhaps it isn't the right time to turn her against the Count Bleck. At least not completely.
"...I admit, I was a little overly suspicious," Dimentio finally said. "There wasn't anything much of value in the dungeon. However, that doesn't mean the count could be keeping secrets."
Mimi gave a sad look.
"I wish you would trust Count Bleck. He's a great guy, I know it."
Dimentio's eye slightly twitched.
"...Yes he is. A perfect gentleman. Anyway, I'll see you in the morning."
He was about to leave and close the door when Mimi suddenly sat up and cried, "Wait, you forgot to give me my reward!"
Dimentio laughed softly.
"I can give you the reward tomorrow. I'm much too tired right now."
"That's okay, I don't want much. And I rather not wait."
Mimi got up from her bed and approached him. She took his hand and smiled.
"I want to see your face," Mimi said softly. "For as long as I've known you, you never taken off that mask. We've known each other for this long now...I think it is time I saw what you looked like."
Dimentio froze.
"I...can't show you, Mimi," he said, his voice cracking uncontrollably. "You wouldn't want to see my face."
Mimi blinked.
"Why? Do you have a lot of zits or something? It's okay. I won't laugh."
Dimentio shook a bit, getting his hand out of her grasp. Mimi stared at him, looking a bit alarmed.
"Dimentio…?"
Unable to face her concerned gaze, Dimentio teleported away.
He appeared in his room, making sure his door was locked. He leaned against the wall, sighing heavily, trying to gain control.
Once he had calmed down, he walked over to his nightstand, where a mirror stood. He stared at his reflection, as if he was unable to recognize himself. Slowly, he grabbed the end of his mask and took it off. He stared at his face, his true face.
Dimentio gave a demented smile, chuckling to himself as he stared at his hideous self. Tears ran down his face, his laughing increasing in pitch.
If she saw him like this...he would lose her. He was sure of it, for no one, including himself, could stand to look at his face. She would no longer have affection for him, she would fear and hate him.
But once his perfect world was created...his appearance wouldn't matter.
He would be king, god!
Nothing would matter anymore, for he would finally have complete control in his life.
"Aha ha ha!" Dimentio laughed as the tears blinded him. "Again for dramatic effect! Aha ha ha ha ha ha!"