A/N: Hey again! Here's chapter 25! Before I thank my lovely reviewers, I just wanted to ask you guys a question. So somehow...this story is ending soon! Would you like to see a sequel of this set in the same universe? It'd most likely be another collection of oneshots, either with the same prompt, or maybe one of those one-worded ones. Or, would you want to see a rewrite of this? My writing has changed a lot since I was 13...I don't know. xD Let me know in the reviews or PMs!
Random Dawn 14: HAHA, those maps were the worst. I remember my childhood friend wasting a ton of time on those. xP I did maybe one. xD I feel like they're the more rebellious ones x) Also, I realized that the castle is constantly damaged, so I decided to give it a break. I can't believe it's ending either! I also can't believe it's been almost 5 years since the bginning.
Pikminfan: Thanks! :) I know, right? With a name like Shamm, you'd think he'd be more cautious.
NictheWereCatQueen: LOL, I love Dimimi. ) I'm glad you're enjoying it.
~CBOAZ~
"One of the things I learned on our retreat is the importance of doing good." Blumiere told his ex-minions. "I feel as if our levels of fulfillment as a whole are rather low. I'd like for you to conisder participating more in a community, or even just performing 'random acts of kindness'."
Lady Timpani stood at her husband's side on his podium. Tentatively, she nodded. While she supported Blumiere and his ideas, she could already think of ways that his suggestion could go wrong. The retreat had been nice, and had helped them to find their centers. Blumiere had especially benefitted from the experience.
Soon after, they were dismissed. Nastasia returned to her room, where she would complete next week's schedule; the others went to the living room. They all sat on the couch, but didn't even turn on the TV.
"Are you guys gonna do any of that?" Mr. L asked Mimi, Dimentio, and O'Chunks.
"How we spend our lives is none of his business." Dimentio stated. He rose from the couch, and regained his floating position. "Aha ha ha, I shall do whatever I feel suits me best."
"Ah want teh help the count!" O'Chunks affirmed.
"Me too!" Mimi said. "I don't know how to, though…"
Mr. L scratched his head. "I don't know how to either."
"Yes, he was very vague," Dimentio supplied.
The four ex-minions were silent.
After a long pause, Mr. L got an idea. "We could just start small, I guess."
The others shrugged, and on went the TV.
~CBOAZ~
Nastasia gathered everyone for the second meeting of that day. Mimi groaned audibly.
"It's important, K?" Nastasia snapped.
"Then why is Mr. L absent?" Dimentio asked. "Or is this lovely little meeting about our favorite mechanic?"
Nastasia glared through the thick lenses of her glasses. "If you would let me talk...Yes, it's about Mr. L."
Lord Blumiere and Lady Timpani remained quiet. While Blumiere wanted to assist Nastasia, he knew that cutting in to scold the others would only prove to be a further distraction.
"Now...Tomorrow is Mr. L's birthday. We didn't celebrate it last year. Um, let's do it this year. Have a party, get some gifts. That'd be a nice thing to do."
Blumiere's smile grew. "What a splendid idea, Nastasia!"
"Does Mr. L even know when his own birthday is?" Dimentio asked.
Nastasia shrugged. "Probably not. It wasn't exactly a birth...Uhhh...but it's a day where we can celebrate his life, and everyone deserves to have a day like that."
Mimi gasped. Everyone turned to face her. "Oh my gosh, guys! Mr. L is turning TWO!"
Silence filled the room.
"She's not wrong…" said Timpani. "Regardless, let's come up with a plan to celebrate."
"This is so last minute," Dimentio said to no one in particular.
"We didn't celebrate last year...why is that?" Mimi asked.
Nastasia adjusted her glasses and sighed. "We were renovating the castle...ya know...so it wouldn't be a death trap."
Blumiere looked sheepishly towards the floor.
~CBOAZ~
Mr. L awoke to having confetti thrown in his face.
"Have at you, acursed shredded multicolor paper!"
And then he saw Dimentio with a plate of chocolate chip pancakes in his hands. "Happy birthday, dear friend."
"Wha—?"
"Today is your birthday, and we will celebrate it."
"Gee, thanks." Mr. L grabbed the plate and began scarfing down the food. It was definietly Nastasia's cooking. She was the best at making pancakes.
Eventually Mr. L got dressed, and Dimentio put a blindfold over the birthday boy's mask. The magician teleported them to the living room.
"We are going to play a riveting game of 'Pin the Mask on Mr. L'." Dimentio said. Decorating the far wall, was a poster of Mr. L's face, and on the coffee table lay velcro masks. Mimi and O'Chunks were at his side in seconds.
"Dimentio! You were supposed to tell us he was here!" Mimi scolded.
Dimentio took a bow which turned into a frontflip. "At your service, like a lovely maid at her master's beck and call."
Mimi backhanded Dimentio's shoulder. "Stop." Facing the blindfolded and confused Mr. L she said, "Let's play!"
She and O'Chunks put on their own blindfolds, and Dimentio hesitantly did the same. They all attempted to put the mask in the correct place. When they all removed the blindfolds, they saw that none of them had been anywhere near Mr. L's eyes.
~CBOAZ~
Mr. L saw that there were decorations all throughout the castle. There were four banners that said 'Happy Birthday, Mr. L!' There were paper plates on the table with trucks on them, and not far away were train napkins.
O'Chunks had bestowed a party hat upon Mr. L's head.
"Is it actually my birthday?" Mr. L asked Bluniere.
"Nastasia says it is so, so yes!" Blumiere said with confidence. He was rather amused by the festivities.
"Time for presents!" Timpani announced, carrying a large bag full of gifts. Everyone had contributed.
Mr. L's face lit up with joy, as he tore open his first present. "Cool! A mini-toolbox! Thanks!" His other presents included two tickets to see the next Mario Kart race, scrap metal, a green sweatshirt, and a book about safety regulations.
Mr. L beamed. "This is the best birthday ever! I'll be right back."
The man ran to his room and checked his laptop. Mimi had wished him a happy birthday on Mushrumors.
Ding!
Starlow is: Happy birthday, Mr. L! You're so cool, and I'm glad we've been getting close! Hope to see you soon. Enjoy your day! ^_^
Mr. L's ears burned. With trembling fingers, he typed a thank you to both Mimi and Starlow. He made a mental note to hug Mimi for alerting his friendslist to the fact that today was his birthday.
Nastasia had prepared his favorite noodle dish, and a steak.
"I love you guys."
When it was time for cake, Mr. L noticed the prominent "2" candle in the center. "What's up with—"
"You're two-years-old." Nastasia said, cutting him off. When he opened his mouth to protest, she raised her hand to silence him.
"Youngest in th' castle!" O'Chunks added.
"Okay," he said. They all sang him a birthday song, which he awkwardly sat through.
"Make a wish," suggested Timpani.
He closed his eyes and did so. There weren't many things he really wanted, but he could think of at least someone he wanted to spend more time with.
Poof, out went the flame. Light billows of smoke traveled up to the ceiling.
Then they went to the ballroom and danced to upbeat music. Slow songs were avoided for obvoius reasons. Mr. L's music player was used, so he was listening to all of his favorite songs.
After about an hour, they retired to the living room. The troublesome trio and O'Chunks sat on the couch and watched one of O'Chunks' pointless shows. Luckily for everyone it wasn't Flint Cragley; few non-cragnons could stand that program.
"I know I've said this...but this is the best birthday party I've ever had."
"It's the only birthday party you've ever had," Dimentio said. Mimi elbowed him.
~CBOAZ~
Mr. L at 10:32 PM: Hey, Starlow! :) For my birthday I got 2 tickets to see the next Mario Kart. Wanna come with me? read
Starlow at 10:33 PM: Sure! When is it? read
Mr. L at 10:33 PM: Next Saturday! 6:00 read
Starlow at 10:34 PM : I'll be at your place at 5:30. Thanks for inviting me. read
A loud squeal could be heard echoing through the castle walls.