"He's gone?!"
"Yes, warden. He left when the skirmish happened."
Wendy leaned back in the seat, resting her feet on the table. "He started it. It was his whole plan."
The warden looked over her files. "I do have to say, I think you've stayed in here long enough."
"Even though I helped Dimentio escape?"
"You didn't help with anything," River said. He was the warden's right-hand man. "He tricked you into it. You wouldn't have done that if you knew his true motives."
"True," Wendy said.
The warden stroked his mustache. "I want to strike a deal with you; an honest one."
"What's the deal?"
"You have one chance to earn your freedom back; if you help us track down and catch Dimentio. He's far worse than you, and I'm afraid what would happen if we let him roam freely."
"I'm listening."
"Where did you see him last?" River asked.
"He vanished in front of me. Apparently he can turn invisible. But shortly afterwards...I felt this small pulse."
"His file states that he has multiple abilities, summed together as one. It's called...Darkle, I think? But his main power is to control, make, and destroy dimensions. That's how he earned himself the title 'Master of Dimensions.'"
"So he teleported away. He must have turned invisible so I wouldn't notice. I guess he didn't think that through too well, did he?"
"So if he used magic within the building's perimeters," the warden said, "we can track him down with the hounds."
They led Wendy down a hall, to a room lined with cages. It wasn't all too impressive, since the prison rooms were also cells, but instead of prisoners, the cages held sickly-looking dogs.
"These are Doom Dogs. They can track him no matter how far he is, as long as they have his scent."
"But he's gone," Wendy said. "So how are they going to track him?"
River freed them from the cages. "That's why these guys are special. They can track scent, sure, but they can also track magic."
They went back to the guard's control room with the Doom Dogs, stopping in front of the closed door. One of them started sniffing around, then barked.
"Good boy," River said, tossing it a treat. "We have his magic's scent."
Wendy crossed her arms. "So you want me to take one of those dogs and hunt him down?"
"No," the warden said. "River will handle the dogs." He handed her a walkie-talkie. "I trust you can find him? We want you to immobilize him. Once he's under control, contact me on this and I'll send backup to take him back to the prison. You and River have to work together. Hurt him if you have to."
"I can do that. I need to give him payback for betraying me." She clipped the talkie to her belt. "I won't fail you."
"River, keep an eye on her. Just because she agreed to help doesn't mean she's safe. Make sure she stays with the plan."
River nodded. "Alright, let's capture that clown."
Olive arrived, and not a moment too late. Dimentio chuckled as he entered the tunnel, tapping a finger to the back of his hand. He floated down, landing in front of the worthless robot.
"Hello, Olive. I'm glad we can finally meet face-to-face." He bowed, to show he was unarmed.
Olive nodded.
"Did you bring the files you promised?"
"Right here!" Olive held up some papers. "I printed them out in case something happened to my files."
"Oh, what a smart kid you are! Now, I'll just be taking these..."
He wriggled his fingers while reaching for the paper. Olive pulled them away. Dimentio scowled, bringing his hand into a fist as Olive pocketed the papers.
"Actually, I wanted the chip back first."
Dimentio laughed. "You thought it was going to be that easy? Please, Olive, don't make me laugh." He tapped a hand to his chest. "Like I said, I want to try and stop Izuku first. And you're going to help me out!"
"Why?"
"Well, I was planning on storming in during his highest moment of weakness. That would be during class. However, since you've finally made friends, I would feel a little bad if they got caught in the crossfire of an intense fight. Thankfully, I have a solution and a supplier." He held something between his fingers. "And I want to make sure you can save your precious friends. So I'm giving you this little gift." He grabbed Olive's wrist and placed it in his hand. "So when they're together, away from Izuku, use this. It'll put them in a protective little bubble, where they won't get hurt by any fire from our invigorating battle!"
"You want me to save them?"
"Of course. And the sooner we do that, the sooner we save them from the mind control of those so-called saviors."
Olive clutched it tightly. "Okay. I'll be sure to do that."
"Oh, but at least make sure it happens during school." Dimentio rested an elbow in his hand, the other in a loose fist. "I want to make sure Izuku knows his class is in session before we continue. So Izuku has to see all class members within the day of the takeover. It's to lower suspicion, of course. Do you think you could do that for me?"
"Of course, Dimentio." He bowed.
"You're a good kid." Dimentio pat his head. "Now, off you go. You need to come with a clever way to stop Izuku, right? You have two whole days to plan now. Ciao!"
Olive walked off as he waved farewell, his smile fading and his arm falling stiff as he fell out of view.
"You are not keeping the promise."
Dimentio sighed. "You again? I told you, I needed that one last thing, and then you're free to go! Why do you keep hovering around me?"
"Because you are failing at the promise-keeping!"
Dimentio rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If you're going to pester me, at least let me finish my job first. I need to do this now, before it's too late for me."
He sighed. "If you say so."
"Now, for step 2."