A Few Months Ago

Dimentio POV

"Luigi, Please."

His eyes we're cold. They lacked the Luigi quality they had just minutes ago.

He let me go.

I watched as he faded from view.

That wasn't Luigi up there. That wasn't the Luigi I knew.

The Luigi I knew wouldn't drop me.

I looked down as I fell. I couldn't even see the ground.

A panic rose from within me. It was scary to fall this fast. It was scary, knowing what was coming for me. I've died before, I don't want to go back.

I had to think, and think fast. I didn't want to die. Not yet. Not like this.

I floated over that gap in that one place when I had to get the key from Sarasaland. I can do it again! I just need to focus.

Floating takes less magic, but it also would have to require a lot more effort since I would have to maintain it. The only way out of this would be to teleport. I just need to summon enough magic to get out of here in a short burst.

I frantically snapped my fingers trying to teleport away.

It's much harder to focus when you're falling to your death. Plus, this room seems much stronger when it comes to limiting magic.

These walls were specifically made to keep people like me from teleporting in. I'd have to do the impossible.

I saw the ground. It was approaching fast.

If I died, Jades would punish me like I've never been punished before. I'm sure she wouldn't take the fact that I escaped death for two years lightly.

"Come on, please work." I told myself, frantically snapping my fingers.

I can't die yet. I have to stop Luigi. I have to save him.

The ground was near. I braced myself for impact.

Then, just as I was about to hit the ground, I teleported away.

"YES!" I cried, just before hitting a bunch of tree branches.

I have no idea where I teleported to. I didn't think of a specific location. Just out of that room. Turns out I teleported myself sixty feet into the air over some trees. The branches cut and scratched me as I fell.

"Ow, ah!" I cried as I hit each branch, before landing in some murky brown water.

I quickly swam up and started splashing around. "AGH! GETMEOUTGETMEOUTGETMEOUT!" I cried, as I made my way for shore. I crawled up to land on my hands and knees, coughing out nasty swamp water as I started shivering.

It was dark and gloomy here. The sky was grey, and I appeared to be in some sort of swamp. I tried shaking some of the water off of me. "Water. I just HAD to teleport myself sixty feet in the air over water." I muttered.

But whatever. I wasn't dead.

I felt a warm liquid run down my arm. I lifted it, only to see that my poncho had been completely torn apart, and I had been cut. A fresh red liquid was running down my arm. I looked down at my pants to see similar results. 

Cuts and scratches everywhere. The fabric was soggy and sticky from the swamp water and my blood. How delightful.

"Great. Just, great." I muttered, before sitting pulling my knees to my chest.

I can't believe what just happened.

L was gone forever. And Luigi....he lied to me. He gave me hope. But why? It's probably because he needed my help. How could I be so stupid. How could I let him manipulate me so easily. Was I really that blind?!

I should have attacked him right then and there. But I was to blinded by emotions to even do anything. 

.....No. That wasn't Luigi up there. The book, that stupid stupid book already took control over him. 

I have to save him.

I tried standing up, but immediately fell back down. I was feeling light headed. Everything hurt.

I curled up and started shivering. My heart, beating fast. 

No one was around.

I slowly took my mask off and inspected it. No cracks, thank Grambi. I wiped a few tears from my face and put it back on. Even when alone I felt so exposed and unsafe without my mask.

Next, I inspected my hat. I gently ripped it off, and held it in front of me.

My dark black hair fell over my masked face and gently moved with the breeze.

"Oh no...." I muttered.

My hat was completely destroyed. Rips all over. I sighed and threw it to the ground. It looked just like the rest of me.

Broken.

I sighed. This is not how I saw things going. I guess even I can't predict everything. 

I still should have seen that coming. I probably could have seen it coming if I wasn't so blinded by his trust in me.

About a day later, I teleported myself into the nearest town. I walked in, grabbing everyone's attention. I could see by their stares that they thought I was a ghost or something. I was in a place called Evershade Valley, and apparently ghosts here weren't that uncommon. I looked that bad. I put my jesters cap back on, but there was really no point, since it was so badly torn.

This was a pretty remote town out in the woods, so I'm hoping none of them will turn me in.

I walked straight into the nearest store and marched up the the counter. "I need clothes." I stated. The cashier looked up at me, and let me tell you, they looked like they had seen a ghost.

They slowly pointed over to the clothes isle. I bowed my head to show appreciation and walked over.

Even my shoes were destroyed. I'd have to replace everything.

This store didn't really have anything in my style, so I'd have to make this work. I found a pair of black boots with a golden trim at the top, some black leggings, a black tank top undershirt, and a dark purple hooded poncho. I couldn't find anything else that would cover my hair, so the hood would have to do for now. When I looked in the mirror I could barely recognize myself. I looked so different. If it weren't for the mask, I'd probably be completely unrecognizable. My neck and arms were exposed now, showing my grey skin, but I couldn't find anything to cover them up with. I'd just have to hide my arms in my poncho whenever possible.

I left the changing room, and payed the shopkeeper a large stack of coins. Money was never an issue for me since I could just snap my fingers and grab some. Once I got outside, I looked down at my old, ruined outfit. I closed my eyes and sighed before discarding it in a nearby trash bin. I had no use for it now, but it served me well.

May it rest in tattered pieces.

As for the cuts all over my arms and legs, I wrapped them up. I decided not to waste my magic on them and just let them heal naturally. Plus, the less magic I used around here, the less likely people would become suspicious of me.

I looked around, before turning and checking into an inn. "One room, please." I told the front desk as I gave her some coins. She seemed a little suspicious of me, but then handed me a key. "May I ask how long you plan to stay, sir?" The person checking me in asked. I shrugged. "Not long." She nodded, as I turned and walked for my room.

Once I got in, I shut the door and leaned my head against it.

"I'm so alone...." I muttered to myself. Once again, I had no one.

I wondered what happened to Luigi. Did he get his brother back?

Was he happy?

Happy, knowing I trusted him, and he dropped me.

I turned around and slid down to the floor, then hugged my knees to my chest. 

This must be what L felt like.

I wonder what happened to Daisy. Was she with him, or did he dispose of her too. He probably didn't even tell her what happened to me.

I stayed still, just sitting there feeling empty for almost a full day. I didn't move, I didn't eat, sleep, nothing. Then, suddenly, I heard a knock on my door. I bolted up and turned around, slightly shocked by the sudden knock. I peered through the peep hole. "Who is it?" I asked.

That girl from the front desk was out there with a breakfast tray. "We offer a complementary meal to all the guests who stay here." I lowered my guard and opened the door. "Oh. Um, thank you." I took the tray and started to close the door, when the girl stuck her foot in. "Are you alright? You seem a little, unwell."

I glared at her. "My well being is none of your business. Good day."

She held the door open. "I know it's none of my business, but...." She held up a wanted poster. "Is this you?"

My heart stopped. Oh great. I stepped back. But, her eyes weren't threatening. They seemed to soften. "Do not worry. I am not here to turn you in."

She invited herself into my room, which was a little annoying. Then she just sat down on the couch. "Can I tell you a little secret?" I was a little weirded out. "Umm, sure." She smiled and brushed her hair out of her eye. "I don't really work here."

I shook my head. "Um, what??" She smiled. "This inn isn't even open. It's been abandoned for some time now. That is why you're the only one checked in." I began to feel nervous. She smiled. 

"I've been waiting for you."

I shook my head. "What? So why did you let me stay? Who are you?" She smiled and stood up. "Oh, no one really knows who I am. I don't even live here. I'm only here to speak with you. I knew you'd come." I clenched my fists. "Well, what do you want with me?"

She smiled sweetly. "Nothing. I just want to help you."

I froze again. ".....Help me?" She nodded. 

I turned around. "....You can't help me."

"Oh, but I can. I know who you are." 

I squeezed my eyes shut. 

"Just.....just because you read the wanted poster doesn't mean you know who I am."

I could hear her stand up. "You're Dimentio, Count Bleck's Master of Dimensions, the Pleaser of Crowds. Or perhaps, Dimentio, half ancient, half human-" I quickly teleported in front of her and held a finger to her mouth, silencing her.

"Don't." I warned. 

I would think she'd be scared, but she wasn't. She remained completely at ease. I glared into her icy blue eyes. Her light blond hair covered one of them. I felt anger boil up inside me. "Who are you, and how do you know that? No one knows that."

She shrugged. "Can you teleport us somewhere? I want to show you some place."

I glared. "No. You're going to explain to me how you know me." She sighed. "All will be explained in a moment. Now, will you teleport us there." I shook my head. She sighed.  "Just please, hear me out, Dimentio."

I slowly lowered my guard. "Alright. Where do you want to go?" She smiled. "Take us to.....The Gateway Galaxy." My eyes went wide. Whoa, I know of that place, but not much. I've never been. In fact, it's so small and remote, that very few even know it exists.

L would have loved this. He was obsessed with space and junk.

The woman smiled and nodded. I raised my hand and snapped my fingers. Both of us then teleported away, to the Gateway Galaxy.

"Whoa....it's so, peaceful...." I muttered once we arrived. She smiled. "I know. This is a very special place to me. But never mind that. I owe you an explanation, yes?" I nodded. "Yes. You do."

She nodded, then floated up about a foot. "I am Rosalina. I watch over the cosmos." I nodded. "Okay. That's great. But how do you KNOW me?" She smiled. "I've been watching you. You happen to be quite the trouble maker. You nearly brought an end to all worlds a few years back I recall." She waved her hand, and suddenly, the Dark Prognosticus was floating next to her. My eyes went wide.

"How...how did you get that?!" I asked. She smiled. "Once you were done playing with it, I took it and brought it here for safekeeping. A book like this is dangerous, and must not be taken lightly."

"What makes you think it's safe here?"

She smiled some more. "Why, because this place is the one place in the universe which is completely at peace. And, no one can enter here unless I allow it. So it shall remain a safe place for these powerful prophetic books."

I looked around. It was rather beautiful. But.... "But....no one's here."

She looked down for a moment. "....I know. You can't have perfection and peace with people here. Otherwise they'll find a way to bring about suffering. I've found, that you can not have a perfect world with people." I slowly looked around. "Well....I've never really thought of that. But there's no pain. None of that icky stuff." She sighed. "Yes, it is peaceful here, but also unbearably lonely. Sometimes, it's the imperfections that I miss the most." I cocked my head to the side. "You love the bad stuff?" She smiled. "Perfect worlds are lonely and boring. Imperfections are what make life worth living."

She cleared her throat. "Never mind that. I've come to talk to you about the Grey Prognosticus. I was aware that the security had been breached, and saw that you were involved." I looked back up at her. "So? So what if I was involved. I don't have it now. I have no idea where it is."

She frowned. "You also have no idea WHAT it is. Now that it is no longer safe, I need you to bring it to me. So I can keep it here, where no one will reach it." 

What? This random woman wanted me to just....give it to her?? "Ohhh, I see what's going on. YOU want it. You already have the Dark Prognosticus. You're looking to keep a matched set!" She shook her head. "I will leave the book here hidden away in that small house. I will not be taking the books with me."

I was feeling skeptical. "Wait, you don't live here?" She shook her head. "No. I live on my own comet observatory, but that's not important. I just need you to find out where the Grey is and give it to me so I may put it here, where it's safe."

I slowly started to laugh.

She gave me a confused look as I laughed harder and harder.

"Why? Why should I help you?! You know, the last time I helped someone, I ended up getting dropped. Why don't you ask someone like Daisy. She was involved as well."

I held my hand to my head as I laughed louder and louder. I'm surprised she remained so calm. I looked like a madman.

"What are you thinking? Just, 'SURE, I'LL ASK THE THE MENTALLY UNSTABLE JESTER WHO NEARLY ENDED ALL WORLDS FOR HELP!' DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CALLED ME?! THEY CALLED ME INSANE, A PSYCHOPATH, EMOTIONLESS!" 

I always told myself that those words weren't true, but are they?

I slowly calmed down.

"And....and the moment I thought someone saw me as something else....I was dropped."

All I can even think about is how I deserve this. I deserve this. I did practically the same thing to L. But still, it hurt so bad.

She didn't seemed phased by my childish meltdown at all. She just sighed. "I ask you for help because you are very skilled when it comes to Magic. You can move objects without touching them, while the girl, Daisy, can not."

I guess that makes sense. "....Okay, but if you touch it, it's going to change you." I said. She shook her head. "I am aware of it's temptations, but I am not normal. I am immune. These books have no effect on me. But that's another thing I wanted to mention."

She interlocked her fingers and looked down at her hands. "Your friend.....he touched it. That means, that it has become a part of him. The Grey has taken a firm hold on his heart, he has already become dependent on it." 

".....What are you saying?" I asked. She sighed. "As time goes on, he gets more and more attached to it. I fear it is already to late. The Grey Prognosticus acts fast. If you take it away from him, he will die."

I froze. "What?"

"When you take the book away, he will die." She repeated. I slowly shook my head. "No...NO! THEN I'M NOT DOING IT!"

"Please, he's already lost himself. The book, it was made for the selfish, by the selfish. Its goal is to corrupt. Your friend's fate was sealed the second he touched it. That book, it was locked away for a reason. It moves from host to host. It's goal is to corrupt and kill. It holds many great powers, but it will never let you use them for free. The cost is often your own free will, or even, your own life." 

She sighed, then continued talking as if I agreed to do this, which I didn't. "The Grey Prognosticus is funny. You can't teleport it anywhere unless you're right next to it. So all I need is for you to get close to it and teleport it here. I'll make sure it's secure and that'll be it." I continued shaking my head. "I wont. I'm not going to."

She bowed her head. "You may return home now." 

"No. I'm not going to do it!"

"Farewell, Dimentio. I know you won't let me down." She waved her wand and disappeared, leaving me alone. Once she was gone I hugged myself. "....no....."

I can't do that. I can't kill him. No. I'll find a way to save him.

I was going to save him.

I looked up at the stars.

Remember that star I mentioned all that time ago? The green one? I could still see it. And I feel like it was giving me strength. Hope. 

I was going to save him.

I teleported myself back home, then began the search. I had to find him. I don't know what I'll do, but I have to find him.

Funny thing though, when I tried teleporting back to that place, I couldn't. I guess that lady only allowed me in that one time.

I didn't know how long I'd been searching. I lost track of time after about a week. All I knew, was the sooner I found Luigi, the better.

I continued searching and searching, until I found something.

Or more specifically, someone.

I heard a familiar annoying voice. I whipped around to see....Daisy.

She was alone, in that small town near where we got the Grey Prognosticus. I made myself invisible so I wouldn't be seen. It looked like she was having a run in with the police. She appeared to be alone. Had Luigi left her too?

Did she know what happened to me?

She looked like....she had given up.

"No, not yet." I whispered.

I snapped my fingers, teleporting the two of us away.

At first I was a little nervous, since I hadn't seen her in who knows how long. I be she wouldn't even recognize me.  I made sure to take her sword from her, just in case she got a little to jumpy and accidentally stabbed me or something.

I made myself visible for a split second, but immediately regretted it and disappeared again when I saw her look at me out of the corner of her eye.

She looked over at the nearby town. I teleported the both of us out kinda in the middle of nowhere. When she started walking away I momentarily panicked and grabbed her. I didn't want her to leave me yet.

I could see she was about to scream, so I placed my finger in front of her mouth, signaling for her to be quiet.

She knocked my hand away. "Who do you think you are?!" She asked, turning around to face me.

I quickly moved to stay out of sight. I don't know if I was ready for her to see me. I looked so different. My arms and neck were exposed, along with my hair. I honestly doubt she'd recognize me.

"No. Please don't look at me."

She shook her head. "You can't just walk up and grab someone!"

"My apologies. I was saving you." I whispered.

She tried turning to see me.

"I'm not going to let you see me." I plainly stated. She just groaned in frustration. "Why not? Let me go! Who are you?!"

She didn't recognize my voice. To be fair, neither did I. My voice kept shaking whenever I spoke to her.

I felt my grip loosen. Grambi, did I miss her. I didn't think I'd miss her this much.

".....I see you're as feisty as ever." I let her go and stepped back, before turning away.

"Who are you?" She repeated. "And how do you know me?"

"Can I just ask you, do you know where Luigi is?"

I could feel her hesitation.

"Y-you're asking me?"

"Yes. Do you know where he is?"

"Umm, no. I have no idea where he is. I've been looking everywhere."

I looked down. Looks like he left her too. I wonder what he told her.

What did he say when I didn't return with him?

"And.....and what about Dimentio?" I asked.

"Dimentio died."

I inhaled sharply. I don't know why hearing it felt like a shock. After all, I bet that was Luigi's goal. To kill me. I really shouldn't have survived that fall.

"Dimentio.....died?"

"Yes."

I softly chuckled. "Well, hey. He was no good anyway."

"EXCUSE ME??"

She marched over to me. "HE WAS NOT 'NO GOOD.' DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK ILL OF HIM. HE WAS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME! I LOVED HIM. SURE, HE PUSHED MY BUTTONS AND TICKED ME OFF, BUT HE WAS WAY BETTER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE."

I began to laugh. Aww, did she really think that? Looks like she did care.

"Oh, what, you think this is funny??" 

I nodded. "I didn't know you cared about him this much."

"Quit judging me! He died! I'm allowed to grieve!"

I started laughing a little harder. She grieved for me?

"Who even are you?! And why are you asking about Dimentio and Luigi? Do you want to turn them in or something? HUH? IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT??"

"Oh, no no no. I do not wish to turn them in. I was just wondering what you knew."

I could see her reach for her sword. "W-what? Where's my sword?!" She asked when she realized it was gone. I shrugged. "I didn't want you to have it. I don't generally enjoy getting stabbed. Don't worry though. I'll give it back."

"Y-you STOLE IT!? I need answers, pal. Who are you, how did I get here, and where is my sword?!"

"I'm no one important." 

"Well, yeah. Obviously. There's only two people who are actually important to me. And one of them is dead, while the other is off who knows where. Listen, pal. I don't got time for this. I need to keep looking for Luigi." 

Aww, she thought I was important? How cute.

She turned and started walking, when I grabbed her shoulder. I couldn't let her leave. Not yet.

"No, please don't go."

"Then tell me who you are!"

I sighed and stepped back.

I'd have to let her see eventually. I just didn't want her to leave me.

"Okay. Okay."

She slowly turned around.

At first it took her a moment to react. She just stood there, staring.

"No....."

Her eyes went wide in disbelief. Did she recognize me? I mean, my mask did give it away, but everything else looked different.

"Dimentio?"

I smiled and shrugged, as I felt a tear form in my eye. "Surprise."

"DIMENTIO!" She quickly sprinted over and tackled me to the ground with a hug.

"I thought you were gone!" 

I was a little shocked by the sudden hug, but slowly hugged back.  "It's okay. I'm here. I'm here."

She started sobbing into my shoulder. "W-what happened to you?! Where have you been? I-I missed you."

I hesitated before responding. "I.... missed you too."

She pulled back and grabbed my shoulders.

"I-it's really you! What happened to you?! How are you here?!"

"Well....it's a bit of a long story. I want to know what Luigi told you. I want to know what happened after he got the Grey Prognosticus."

"Okay.....well he walked out of the weird building. I asked where you were, and he looked back. He was crying. Then we made our way back to civilization. Once I realized that he had taken the whole book, I tried to get him to put the rest back. But he got upset and ran off. I saw him a few weeks ago, but other than that, I haven't seen him."

"Did he say......did he say how I died?"

I wanted to know what he told her.

"No. He seemed genuinely upset about it though."

Oh, that's funny. Was he upset, or was he just acting upset. 

"He didn't tell you....of course he didn't. It's probably not something he'd go around saying."

"What? What happened?!"

I slowly broke into hysterical laughter. I don't know why I was laughing so hard.

"Dimentio? Are you okay??"

"AH HA HA HA, LUIGI! LUIGI HAPPENED! AH HA HA!"

"What? What do you mean?!"

My laughing turned to crying. 

"He could have saved me."

He could have saved me.

"What? Dimentio, tell me what happened."

I leaned into her. "It hurt. It really hurt."

"Shhh, shh, it's okay. I won't let anything hurt you. Just tell me what happened."

I leaned back and wiped more tears away. "Okay.....okay."

"He grabbed the book. The whole book. I was confused, since that wasn't the plan. I tried reasoning with him, tried getting him to put the rest of the book back, but he refused. Then...."

"Yes?"

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Then he told me L was gone. That there was no bringing L back. I was to filled with grief to fight back. So I simply let him take the book. I let him take the whole stupid book!"

She covered her mouth. "Oh no. I remember you telling me about L." I nodded. 

She'd never get to meet him. I'd never get to see him again. I'd never get to apologize.

And the last thing he ever saw me do was kill him. I wish things didn't end that way.

"Yeah. After that, we started making our way back, and the bridge collapsed. He made it to the other side safely. Myself on the other hand...."

I shook my head. "I....I almost made it. I would have made it. I jumped, and he caught me. But then....." I broke into more sobs. "Then, he dropped me."

I covered my masked face. "He dropped me! He let me go!"

I tried not thinking about it much, but it was hard not to be emotional now. I leaned into her again.  "Daisy, you don't know how happy I am that I've found you."

"Hey, shhh, shh. It's okay. I'm here now. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen. Alright?"

I slowly nodded.

I found her.

I was home again.