Chapter 5 The gang's (almost) all here

The four of us made our way across the changing landscape. Bowser had agreed to travel with us, after a massive amount of childish pouting, after Mario had explained the entire situation with Count Bleck and his nefarious plans. Destroying all worlds! How could they? What reason could they possibly have to want to just wipe everything out? There would be nothing for anyone, not even them. Who would want nothing? Unless they thought there was more to it? Thought that their world would be spared and they could live happily alone. But happily alone doesn't sound ideal.

As we continued walking we came upon a decent sized forest. It was beautiful really. There were all sorts of wildlife milling about, minding their own business. Our destination was on the other side of this forest. There was no time for admiring unfortunately. We pushed our way through as fast as we could. We needed to get the pure hearts as quickly as possible. The dark void ominously sat in the sky, growing larger every second, taunting us, and reminding us that we didn't have much time. That was a deadline we had to make… I couldn't think about that right now. Mario and Peach, and even Bowser had no doubts whatsoever that we would be able to pull this off, and I shouldn't doubt them.

We came upon a giant oak tree and paused. It was marvelous, unlike anything id ever imagined. Suddenly we heard a shrill laugh ring out, seemingly from thin air. We spun around and I locked eyes with a strange looking man who was currently leaning against a tree in the shadows. He smirked and winked at me. I narrowed my eyes in response. "Finally, you've arrived." He spoke up, catching everyone's attention now. He was dressed… odd. Black, purple, and yellow, arranged in what looked like a jesters outfit. He also wore a mask, half black, and the other half white. But none of that really mattered. It was that smirk that was still plastered on his face. It was almost more menacing than Bleck's grin had been.

"You don't wear tardiness well," he teased after no one had spoken up yet. He began floating towards us. Apparently the ability to fly wasn't out of reach for him.

"Who are you?" Peach finally asked.

"At last the hero… I know you from the festival of hair that dances upon your lip! And of course your faithful companions! I am a humble servant of Count Bleck. Master of dimensions… Pleaser of crowds... I am, Dimentio!"

"Dimentio?" Peach parroted.

"It is truly enchanting to finally meet my hapless victims. I have prepared a special morsel of a treat for you!" He waved his fingers at us and the world suddenly fell away. I blinked and we had somehow been transported into a small room that was completely enclosed. We had nowhere to go. I looked back at him in awe. "How about some magic!" he exclaimed. I heard Peach gasp and I turned around to see if she was okay. She and Bowser looked about as flustered as I felt right now.

"And viola… You are now in Dimension D, a dimension of my creation." Dimentio explained as I turned back to face him. "In this mind-bending realm my attacks are 256 times more potent!" My eyes widened. That can't be true! He'll kill us without even trying! "I am no far more powerful. I could obliterate you with a raise of an eyebrow." He continued gloating. "Now we must duel, like two gleaming banjos on a moonlit stoop! Can you pierce this illusion?"

I looked at Mario, scared for our lives, but he was still defiantly staring down Dimentio. If Mario thought we could do it, then we can. I squared up again; ready to do whatever I could to help. Before we really had a chance to prepare the jester snapped his fingers and disappeared. I spun around, but he was nowhere. Who is this guy? Do we really stand a chance? He can disappear and summon us away to different dimensions…

"Hey!" Peach yelped. I turned to her and saw two jesters hovering above her and Bowser, flinging sparkling orbs of magic from his hands towards them.

"Princess!" I yelled and sprinted towards her. I pulled her out of the way of the dangerous magic, and set my sights on Dimentio. I leapt at him and threw a punch, but my hand went straight through him. I regained my composure quickly and looked at the real one who Mario was currently fighting. I ran around behind them so he wouldn't notice me and I threw another punch at his backside. He snapped his fingers and disappeared again just before my fist connected. I looked at Mario who was now in front of me and scowled. He was just toying with us!

I heard another snap and watched as a clear box appeared around us. I dove out of it as quickly as I could, and watched Mario and Peach do the same. Bowser wasn't so lucky as flashes of light started up while he was still trapped inside. I sprinted over to him and rammed my shoulder into the box. I felt a sharp shock as I was flung backwards and landed hard on my back across the room. I groaned and stood up. Bowser had escaped the box, but looked like he was worse for wear.

"You can do better than that," I heard a silky voice right behind me. I swung my heel backwards as hard as I could and I felt his hand catch my ankle. I dropped my hand to the ground now and kicked my other foot at his face. He stepped back and pulled my ankle along with him, causing my hand to slip. My shoulder slammed against the ground. I grit my teeth against the pain, rolled onto my back and kicked at him again, but he easily grabbed my other ankle.

"You're feisty, just like a kitten who believes she is a lioness," he mocked me; that smirk never wavering.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked suddenly, almost surprising myself.

His eyes widened slightly before he regained his composure. "I do as my Count commands," he replied smoothly.

"That's stupid," I replied honestly, "and you don't seem like a moron to me. You must have your own reasoning behind this."

His smile only seemed to widen. "Feisty and intelligent, my lady, you are a pearl shining in a field of empty clams."

I narrowed my eyes, confused, but before I could ask he disappeared again. I shook off my shock and turned back to my friends who were still struggling with Dimentio copies. I clambered to my feet and started towards them, but something tripped my and I landed with a thud back on the ground. I looked up just in time to see a sparkling orb connect with my arm. I yelped and grabbed at it. My whole arm felt like it was on fire!

"Ruia! Are you okay?" Peach called, glancing over to me when she got the chance.

"Yes! I'm fine!" I forced myself to get up and ignore the pain. I ran over to them and started working cleaning out the clones. After only a little while I realized we weren't getting anywhere because we couldn't find the real Dimentio. We were getting tired, and the jester just wouldn't quit. Who knows if he was even trying yet, but we had to draw him out somehow. Actually challenge him; we couldn't let him keep playing around.

"Mario! We need to find the real one!" I called out, hoping he would have an idea. He nodded and glanced around as if trying to think up something.

"Bowser, can we get some fire?" Mario asked.

"Get the Princess behind me!" Bowser commanded. We all rushed over to him. He let out a monstrous roar. I watched in awe as he filled the room in fire from his breath. I couldn't help but wonder why we hadn't done this sooner. As the fire cleared out there was only one jester left standing in the middle of the room. I looked at him closely. He was still grinning. He wasn't fazed by that. The next problem was what was he planning now?

It almost happened in slow motion. He raised his hand, then there were more clones, they were all raising their hands, summoning magic orbs, and getting ready to hurl them at us. I glanced over at Mario, though he still looked defiant, but didn't seem to have a move to counter the jester. As all the clones sent their magic flying towards us I made my decision.

I summoned the shadows to me, gathered them in my hands, and molded them into a dark shield in front of us. It stood fast as Dimentio's onslaught pounded into it. It faded away, and I stared the jester down. What could only have been moments felt like an eternity. It was as if he wasn't' looking at me anymore though. He was looking at my powers, as though I were a prize that he had just won. I faintly registered that Mario leapt towards him, but the jester never broke eye contact with me. My eyes widened as Mario's attack actually hit its mark. Dimentio crumpled to the ground and stayed there.

"Your blows are like miniature jackhammers wielded by tiny angry road workers. How is this possible? This dimension makes me 256 times more powerful…"

"Well, since all of us are in here, aren't we all more powerful?" Peach suggested.

He cackled lightly, sounding defeated. He suddenly jumped up and hovered above us. "Of course! This was simply an amusement that played out exactly as I planned! Were you amused? That was just an hors doeuvre!" He bowed theatrically. "The next time we meet you will feast on a deadly eight-course meal!" he waved his hand around and Dimension D faded away to be replaced with the forest once again. "Sadly, hero and company, I must now say ciao!" He snapped his fingers and he was gone.

I closed my eyes and sighed in relief. We somehow made it out of that alive. "Is everyone alright?" I asked. I was answered by exhausted nods and hums. I let myself slump and relax for a moment.

"But wait! For every good performance must have an encore!" Dimentio's voice boomed from nowhere in particular. I stiffened, scared once again, wondering what the jester may be up to now. He appeared in front of us and locked eyes with me, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver up my spine.

"What do you want now," I demanded and readied myself for another fight.

"What you've all been waiting for with such anticipation! For my final act, I'm going to make one of you disappear!"

I felt the dread pool in my stomach. We couldn't handle him while we were all together, what chance did we stand if he separated us? In the blink of an eye he was gone. Before I even had the chance to turn around I felt a pair of hands grasp my upper arms harshly from behind. I tried to wrench myself out of his grip, but he was surprisingly strong.

"Like a knight I shining armor, I arrive to rescue you, my fair lady," he purred in my ear.

"Mario!" I yelled out for help, but then everything went black.

I heard hushed voices. They seemed to be arguing about something. I wish they would shut up. They certainly weren't doing anything for my pounding headache.

"I'll brainwash her as soon as she wakes up. She'll be a good asset for Count Bleck," a woman's voice spoke out. Brainwash? Who were they brainwashing I wonder. I didn't know that was even possible, although, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised after everything I saw Dimentio to be capable of. It was kind of cool, in a way, but this must be some dream. People don't really do that sort of thing, do they? I tried to open my eyes, but they just weren't cooperating. I wanted to see the brainwashing lady. I wonder if she looked creepy, like some sorceress or witch from fairytales.

"No, that won't be necessary, Nastasia." That voice, it sounded familiar. Was it Dimentio? I was suddenly glad I couldn't open my eyes. I didn't want to see any more of that psychopath. I had a real fear of that smirk of his. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. It was always there; always hiding something.

"For security purposes I must insist. She obviously didn't come here willingly, so she needs to be controlled," the woman spoke up again. He had called her Nastasia? Was that her name? "We must stay on schedule. We cannot afford any interference." Interferences to what? Was she one of Count Bleck's followers as well? That seemed plausible. More importantly though, who were they talking about? Whoever it was is in some serious trouble right now. I felt myself being pulled back into unconsciousness. The last thing I heard was Dimentio's voice.

"Do not trouble yourself. Our dear Count left me accountable for her, and I will not falter in my duties. She is mine to break."