Mimi laid in her bed as she wrote in her diary, letting out a dreamy sigh. All she could think about was her conversations with Dimentio, even if she did screw up the first one. She liked him more and more every single minute she was with him. He was polite, he listened to her, had a nice voice. So far, he seemed perfect.
However, what really added to Dimentio's attractiveness was the fact that he was so secretive. Why did he wear that mask? Was he trying to hide something? And why did he freak out when she was asking him about his past?
Mimi smiled as she closed her diary and put it on her nightstand. One way or another, she would find out more about him.
Dimentio was going to be hers, no matter what.
"Hey Mimi, breakfast is ready in the dining room," Nastasia called as she knocked on the door.
Mimi groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked over at the clock on her nightstand.
Seven in the morning, really? Why so early?
Mimi was about to go back to sleep when suddenly she remembered that Dimentio may be there. Quickly getting dressed and hiding her diary under her bed, Mimi swiftly walked down stairs. Slowing down when she reached the first floor, she finally made her way to the dining room. There, the table was set just like it was the night before, only this time there was already food on the table and no candle light.
O'Chunks and Dimentio where already at their seats, helping themselves to the feast. O'Chunks was devouring the food like it was going out of style, pieces of food falling all over the place. Mimi stared at him as she sat down.
"O'Chunks, are you okay?"
O'Chunks turned to Mimi, now realizing that she was there.
"Morning lassie. How are you doing?"
He shoved three pieces of bacon and a slice of French toast down his mouth.
Mimi flinched back.
"Uh…I'll get back to you on that. When I'm less disturbed."
O'Chunks gave her a puzzled look but just continued to eat.
Dimentio's eye twitched.
"…I don't know if I should be amazed at his appetite or how he eats like that…"
Mimi giggled a bit.
Dimentio turned to her. "What's so amusing?"
Mimi smiled. "Oh, nothing!"
She continued to giggle at how cute Dimentio looked when he was puzzled. Dimentio blinked a couple of times and then turned back to his breakfast, trying his best not to look at Mimi or O'Chunks. Mimi smiled to herself.
So far, so good.
At that moment, Nastasia walked in, writing a few things on her clipboard.
"Okay, how is everyone this morning?" she asked not even looking at them.
"Perfect!" O'Chunks exclaimed with a mouthful.
Dimentio and Mimi didn't answer.
Nastasia put down her clipboard and started to put some food on her plate.
"Glad to hear. As the count told you last night, we will begin to train you to fight the hero. But before we begin, is there any medical concerns we should be aware of?"
"Nope, I'm always ready for a fight!" O'Chunks said happily.
"It's been awhile since I've done any actual 'fighting,'" Dimentio replied, "but I learn and relearn very quickly."
"I'm perfectly healthy," Mimi added.
Nastasia nodded.
"Awesome. Then all you three need to do is meet the count and I at the training room, the last room on the top floor, an hour from now. We won't be doing much today but be prepare for anything."
She took a bite of toast.
"So, how did you guys sleep last night?"
"Really well, surprisingly," Mimi said. "Though the room was really dark. Don't you think it is a little dark here, with everything black?"
Nastasia shrugged.
"Where I come from, everything is dark, even darker than this. It may be too much to you but the count and I are use to it. If you want to redecorate your room, you are more than happy too. Just tell Count Bleck what you are doing first, so that he may approve, k?"
Mimi nodded.
"Actually, I feel the opposite," Dimentio commented. "I'm very impress with the design of this castle."
Mimi raised an eyebrow. "Really? You don't think it's gloomy at all?"
"I prefer darker places, to be honest," Dimentio answered with no hint of emotion. "Everything blinds in together perfectly, unifies itself. It...gives a sense of perfection, in a way."
"...How?"
Dimentio smiled and chuckled.
"It is a difficult thing to understand, for someone like yourself. But if you are smart enough, you will see what I mean."
Mimi held her confused stare.
"Don't worry, I don't get it either," O'Chunks said as he finished off the rest of the food.
An hour later, Mimi made her way to the training room, just like Nastasia had said. When she entered the room, she saw that Dimentio was already there, sitting on thin air and staring into space. Mimi stared at him.
"How are you doing that?"
Dimentio turned to her.
"Doing what, levitating? By using magic, of course."
"I can see that, but how are you using magic?"
"I was born with it. It comes to me naturally like talking is to you. See?"
In that same second, Dimentio held out his hand and a purple and yellow electric sphere floated in his hand.
Mimi's eyes widened.
"Amazing...it's very pretty."
Dimentio chuckled.
"And deadly. If I want it to, this energy sphere can electrocute you in mere seconds. Not something you want to mess with."
The electric sphere disappeared.
"But I only have it stun my foes, never kill. I don't kill my enemies unless it is necessary. There's no fun it. Better to have your enemy suffer then to be saved by the mercy of death."
Dimentio smiled a bit, as if the thought of human suffering pleased him.
Mimi felt a little disturbed.
"What makes you think like that?"
But he either didn't hear her question or ignored it completely as Dimentio said, "But enough about my magic, I hear you have some magical abilities yourself. The count said that you where a shape shifter, correct?"
Mimi nodded.
"Like you, I was born with the ability to shape shift. Where I come from, it is a very rare thing to be born with. Most of the members of my family were taught how to shape shift, but with severe physical and mental training. Only the most strong willed and physically strong can master it. Luckily, I didn't have to go through all that."
Mimi's grin grew a bit.
"My sisters were very jealous of my powers, as I'm the only one of my siblings born with it. They would always give me envious looks when they train if I was nearby."
Dimentio nodded.
"So, can anyone learn how to shape shift?"
"If you can perform magic, I'm sure you can learn."
"Then can you teach me?"
Mimi's eyes widened.
"What? You want me to teach you how to shape shift?"
"If you can. I'm always wanting to learn new types of magic," Dimentio said sincerely. "You never know when they can come in handy."
He paused for a moment.
"You don't have to teach me if you don't want to, if it's that big of a deal."
Mimi gasped.
"Oh, no! It's not that at all! It's just...no one has ever asked for me to teach shape shifting before, and I'm not sure how to teach it."
Her eyes lightened up a bit.
"But once I know how, I'll let you be my first student. Is that okay?"
Dimentio smiled.
"Let me know whenever you're ready."
Mimi smiled back.
Just then, the doors opened and O'Chunks entered the room, panting heavily.
"S-sorry I'm late," he said out of breath. "I got lost on the way here..."
He looked up at Mimi and Dimentio.
"Did I miss anything?"
"No, we were just waiting," Dimentio replied. "In fact, I haven't seen Nastasia or Count Bleck."
"Oh, we're here."
Just then, on top a large black platform, Count Bleck and Nastasia stood on top of it.
"We were waiting for all of you to come, to see how accurate your timing is," Nastasia explained. "Dimentio, Mimi, your timing is good. O'Chunks...you may want to work on it, k?"
O'Chunks blushed.
"Err...I'll do that, Nastasia."
Count Bleck stepped off the platform.
"It's alright, you'll get the hang of it in time," he said. "The important thing is that you are here."
Count Bleck looked each of them in the eye.
"Now, before we do anything else, Count Bleck needs to know how well you fight."
As he lifted his staff, the room began to change. Smaller platforms appeared all over the room, each having one weapon on it.
"What I want you to do is fight each other until I, Count Bleck, tell you to stop," Count Bleck explained. "I want you to fight as you would in a real one, though don't injure yourselves too much. You can use any of the weapons on the platforms. Though you would feel the same pain you would feel if you really where stab or shot, it won't physically hurt you. It is just an illusion. Any questions or concerns?"
Mimi felt her face go pale.
This seemed way too extreme. She had gotten into a few fights before, like with her sisters, but nothing as intense as this. This will be a challenge.
Count Bleck smiled, as if he could read Mimi's mind.
"Don't worry, Mimi. Count Bleck will make sure there are no serious injuries. Just do your best."
Mimi stared at the count, but ended up smiling a bit.
Dimentio rolled his eyes at the moment.
Count Bleck then teleported to the main platform and raised it up. Getting that this was the cue to fight, Mimi, Dimentio, and O'Chunks turned to face each other and backed away.
"I don't want to hurt you guys, and I am very sorry if I do," O'Chunks said a little uncertainty in his voice. "But a man has to do what a man has to do. So, no hard feelings if I accidentally break your arm or something?"
"...Sure, O'Chunks," Mimi replied her voice shaking. "...Just, go easy on me until I get the hang of this."
"Will do, Mimi. Well...here I come."
At that moment, O'Chunks clutched his fists together and charged at Mimi. Mimi screamed and ran out of O'Chunks's way. He kept trying to throw a punch at her, but Mimi was faster than him.
Not knowing what else to do, Mimi changed her form into the first thing that came to her mind. O'Chunks gave a blank stare as Mimi's appearance completely changed. Mimi smirked and punched O'Chunks in the face. He flinched back, giving Mimi time to take the upper hand. Mimicking her form's abilities, she threw a purple and yellow crystal sphere at O'Chunks.
But to her dismay, O'Chunks grabbed the sphere with his bare hand and crushed it in his palm. A little blood dripped down from his hand, making Mimi flinch in terror. O'Chunks then grabbed a nearby sword and charged at Mimi. She continued to throw the crystal spheres, but they didn't slow O'Chunks down, as he blocked most of it with his sword. Even though he was bleeding in a couple of places, nothing seemed to stop him. When he was close enough, he dropped the sword and grabbed Mimi's neck, holding her up into the air. She tried to break free of his grip but O'Chunks was way too strong.
O'Chunks growled.
"You would be a good warrior with your shape shifting abilities, lassie," he said. "But you lack any experience."
Mimi grunted in reply.
Suddenly, O'Chunks and Mimi found themselves in a huge glass box. They stared at it, confused how they got trapped. They then turned to see Dimentio levitating beside them. He smiled, as if taunting them. O'Chunks narrowed his eyes and let go of Mimi.
He banged on the walls of the box, but a electric shock went through his body. He did this multiple times, not even caring he's getting electrocuted. Dimentio just stood where he was, waiting patiently for O'Chunks to tire out. Finally, O'Chunks reached his limit and fell to the ground, panting heavily and flinching at the electric shocks.
Dimentio smiled.
"A valiant effort, but it was no use, I'm afraid," he said. "I must admit, your fighting spirit impresses me, O'Chunks."
O'Chunks glared up at Dimentio but said nothing.
Dimentio then turned to Mimi, who was still on the ground.
"Nice outfit, my friend."
He gave her a small wink.
Mimi gave a blank look.
Looking at the box's wall, she could faintly see her reflection. A faint blush appeared on Mimi's face as she realized that she had transformed into Dimentio. Embarrassed, she transformed into her original form.
Dimentio laughed, a bloodthirsty look faintly gleaming in his eyes.
"Well, it was nice knowing you two. Ciao."
He was about to snap his fingers when Count Bleck shouted, "Enough!"
Everyone turned as the count teleported to their level, followed by Nastasia. Count Bleck glared at Dimentio. In response, Dimentio snapped his fingers releasing O'Chunks and Mimi. The count then gave a satisfied look and said, "Good work. I was able to get a good sense of your fighting styles and where you stand. Now, are you all severely hurt?"
Count Bleck gave Mimi and O'Chunks a concerned look.
"Eh, I've had worse," O'Chunks replied his voice shaking. "I'll be alright once I cleaned my wounds."
Mimi looked down at the ground, saying nothing.
Count Bleck nodded.
"If you are sure. There is a medical wing on the third floor if you need anything. Training is over for today, you are free to go."
Count Bleck turned to Dimentio.
"Though, I would like a quick word with you, Dimentio. In private."
Dimentio narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
Taking the hint, Nastasia, O'Chunks, and Mimi walked out of the room. Mimi was the last one out as she closed the door behind her.
But instead of going back to her room, she stayed beside the door and put her ear next to it. She could hear everything perfectly as Count Bleck said with a little anger, "Dimentio, what exactly were you going to do with Mimi and O'Chunks in that box?"
"Just give them an electric shock," Dimentio replied calmly. "I was showing you how I fight, like you said."
"I did, but it look liked you were about to kill them."
"I never kill my enemies."
"Yes, but O'Chunks took a lot of damage when he was pounding the walls. He looked seriously hurt."
"He is fine, I can assure you. You heard what he said, he has taken a lot worse. Besides, I think most of it came from when he was fighting Mimi."
"But Mimi didn't look like she wanted to kill him, nor did she tried to."
There was a long paused.
"So what are you trying to say?" Dimentio finally asked.
"Count Bleck orders you not to use as much power in training as you did today. If you want more intense combat training, I can arrange something for you. But I don't want the others getting hurt unless I think they can properly defend themselves. Do you understand, Dimentio?"
There was another long silence.
"Yes, Count Bleck, I do."
"Good. Count Bleck dismisses you now."
"Of course."
Mimi backed away as she heard Dimentio's footsteps get closer to the door. She leaned against the wall, hiding herself from view. She looked over to see Dimentio walking her way. Trying to look as normal as possible Mimi turned to him when he was close enough and said, "Hey."
Dimentio glanced over, surprised to see her there.
"Hello again, Mimi. I thought you would have left by now."
Mimi smiled slightly. "I...thought I would wait for you."
"That is very kind of you, but I need to be by myself for a bit," Dimentio said with a smile. "But we can hang out later tonight, if you want."
Mimi nodded.
"Okay. Maybe...we can take a walk after dinner or something. And in the meantime, I can see if what I can teach you about shape shifting."
"Sounds fun. See you later then."
Dimentio started to make his way down the hallway when he suddenly turned around.
"By the way, no hard feelings about trapping you in that box. I was just showing the count what I can do. Nothing personal."
Mimi blinked.
"Uh...okay, that's a relief."
Dimentio smiled in reply and then walked away.
Mimi watched him go, feeling uncertain about that moment. For a second there, it really did look like Dimentio was going to kill her.
Mimi shook her head.
Dimentio was just showing off, that's all. Just a little too much. He couldn't possibly try or want to kill her!
Right?