I've always looked forward to writing this chapter and the one after it. I actually wrote the dialogue early on, so this scene has been planned for awhile. However, now that we know Dimentio's backstory, it makes it even more dramatic! I'm so glad we've gotten this far. Let's see how our lovebirds over here are gonna manage this slight disagreement, shall we?


Chapter 11: The Truth

Mr. L was speechless. He stared with wide eyes and pure shock. "W-What are you talking about!? You want to betray him!? Why would you want to do that?"

"He hasn't been honest about his intentions," Dimentio said venomously. "He told you and the others that he intends to destroy these worlds and make new ones in their place, correct?"

"R-Right..."

"Well...He was lying. He intends to destroy every world and leave them in ruin. I know this because I've read his secret journals. I knew something was off about him, so I took it upon myself to investigate. Naturally, I was horrified, but I knew that I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I needed to tell someone."

"But...Why me? Why not Nastasia or-?"

"Nastasia knows everything and supports him fully," Dimentio interrupted. He wasn't sure if this was true or not, but it didn't matter. She stood by the Count in everything; she might as well have been supportive.

"Sh-She does?"

"Yes. The others are too blinded by their loyalty for that man to see him for what he truly is. I knew I could trust you. Besides, you are the man in green named in the prophecy. Take you out of the equation, and he's doomed to fail. The Dark Prognosticus will be null and void, and we'll all be safe." For a moment, it looked like Mr. L believed Dimentio. His heart soared. Maybe his dear love would work with him after all.

However, this was not to be. The man in green stood and took a few steps back. "No. That's not true! The Count would never do that!" He narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. "This is some kind of sick joke, isn't it? Well, it's not very funny!"

"L, please…"

"I can't believe you would make something up like that!" Mr. L went on. "After everything the Count has done for you? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Dimentio's stomach dropped. For the first time in ages, he allowed himself to show genuine pain.

Mr. L didn't seem to notice. He turned and headed for the door. "I have to go. L-Type needs some tuning up."

As he watched the man in green leave, Dimentio faced another rude awakening. Mr. L was a devout servant of the Count. He believed everything that man told him and served him well. And it didn't matter how Mr. L felt about Dimentio personally. Everything they had done together was secondary. In fact, the magician doubted he would actually work on his robot. No. For once, something else took priority over his work. He would report straight to the Count.

With this realization, Dimentio allowed a layer of thick ice to spread over his broken heart. Letting out a tired sigh, he muttered, "Whatever you say, Luigi."

The man in green stopped, his hand on the doorknob. He turned back around, glaring. "What did you just call me?"

"Remember how you felt disappointed in me because I wouldn't tell you your real name? It's Luigi Mario," Dimentio replied, no hesitation whatsoever. His tone had taken a hard edge.

"M-Mario? As in...As in the hero?" Mr. L asked, shocked once again.

"Yes. Don't you recall that morning when you said your brother is short and wears red? Well, Mario is your twin brother."

"Y-You're crazy! I could never be related to him! He's my enemy!"

"Well, you are. Like it or not," Dimentio said bluntly. "And pretending that you hate him won't do you any good."

"I'm not pretending!"

"Yes, you are. I can see through your little act. You pretend to hate Mario, just like the rest of us, but in reality, you love him more than anything. Take Brobot, for example. If you had really wanted to destroy the hero, you wouldn't have grown so attached to your machine. But you longed for your brother so much that the two became synonymous in your mind."

Mr. L scowled. "Don't you dare bring my brother into this!"

"Too late. I already have."

"Get out!"

Dimentio narrowed his eyes. "This is my bedroom." The mechanic huffed and turned back around. He twisted the doorknob, but the door wouldn't budge. He tried again and got the same result. "Oh, that's right," The magician said, letting his usual smooth tone seep back into his voice. "We locked the door last night. Didn't want anyone interrupting us…"

Mr. L jerked back around. "Where's the key!?"

"I don't know."

"Don't play games with me! Where's the key!?"

"No, really. I don't know. After all, I told you to hide it. Now, would you quit whining? You sound like a child throwing a tantrum." The man in green groaned and searched through Dimentio's drawers. He went through every single one, throwing clothes on the floor carelessly. The magician watched with a smirk on his face. "Tell me, Mr. L, if you aren't Mario's brother, why do you want to protect him?"

The mechanic froze, his back towards Dimentio. The magician went on. "Why do you feel as if you've seen him somewhere before? Why didn't you crush him when you had the chance?"

Mr. L turned to Dimentio, a flicker of pain in his eyes. "You've been reading my journal. Just like you've been reading Mimi's diary!" He ran his hands through his hair. "Ugh! I should've known!"

"Answer the question, Mr. L."

"That was a scouting mission! Don't you get it!? I was never destined to win that battle!"

Dimentio laughed. "You easily could have won. Who told you that you were supposed to lose? Nastasia?"

His face turned red. Through clenched teeth, he muttered, "No, the Count." He huffed and walked past Dimentio, towards the desk. He took everything off of it and dumped anything that carried items, including a pencil holder. "It was in the Dark Prognosticus, okay!?"

"Oh, really? What was the stanza?"

Mr. L stopped. "The man in green will reach the Maze of Death...And he'll lose? Something like that! I don't know! The Count read that to me forever ago!"

The jester laughed once more. "Ah, yes. I know that one. "Though he will try to snuff the hero's flame, he will remember his own light and surrender in shame." Tell me, Mr. L. What light is still lingering inside you?"

"Stop it! Would you just lay off!?"

"But you told me that your mother and father used to sing a special song to you..."

The man in green spun around, seething rage. "No! I don't wanna hear about anything I said or remembered! Just shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!"

"But it's the truth!" Dimentio spat, his true feelings of anger and betrayal coming through. "Face it, Mr. L! The Count and Nastasia have been lying to you the whole time! You're not saving anyone. You're not making anyone's life better! All you're doing is taking hundreds of thousands of innocent lives!" Mr. L returned to searching for the key. He yanked the drawer right out of the desk and dumped its contents onto the floor.

Dimentio continued. "And you know what? I never really liked Mimi or O'Chunks that much, but at least they're fighting for what they believe in! You're only here because Nastasia brainwashed you!"

Mr. L stopped, hands shaking violently. When he spoke next, Dimentio heard nothing but pain in his voice. "No. No, you're wrong! You're nothing but a liar, you hear me!? A fucking liar!"

"You're only calling me that because you know I'm right. Think, Mr. L! Have I ever lied to you before?" Mr. L didn't respond. He stared at the pile in front of him. "You can't put it off any longer! Like it or not, you're Luigi Mario! The fourth hero. As stated in the Light Prognosticus!

The mechanic turned back to face Dimentio. He looked pathetic, as if he would burst into tears any minute. Slowly and evenly, Dimentio went on. He spoke in a quiet voice. "And that's precisely why the Count wanted you. Do you really think he would listen to one of his minions babble about some man she found attractive if she didn't mention your green clothing?"

Mr. L bit his lip. Blood trailed down his chin. Slowly, he stood and uncurled his left fist. He held a plain purple key. He placed the key in his right hand and walked past Dimentio, not saying a word. He unlocked the door and opened it. Putting one foot outside, Mr. L turned and looked back at Dimentio one last time. He wore a neutral expression on his face. He seemed to look past Dimentio when he whispered two simple words. "Deal's off."

Next, he slammed the door behind him. Dimentio stared. He smiled and forced himself to laugh through the pain. Just like he had done for nearly two decades. "Ah well. Back to square one, I suppose."


A/N from 4/19/20: Literally required the least editing. Just changed "overalls" to "clothing." (Modern Luigi wears blue overalls, silly Dim.)

You ever get that feeling when you write something where the characters are pissed, so in return, you start to get pissed? Even though you have nothing to be angry over in your current life? That's me after writing this. So, I feel this chapter is a bit short, but I have a feeling that other chapters will make up for that fine. I hope this gave you all some anticipation!

Next Time: Mr. L, his true name Luigi Mario. The man in green now knows his true identity. But will knowing the truth make the rest of his stay at Castle Bleck any easier? Will he defy everything these last few months have taught him or will this experience mold him into Count Bleck's perfect weapon?

-Colorful and Free