Tippi sighed, and slowly fluttered off his shoulders.

Tippi: "I need....to get back to Mario."

Dimentio nodded, as she turned off.

Dimentio: "Timpani, wait!"

She turned back to him.

He snapped his fingers, making a small vial appear. Then he took his finger and slowly wiped a few tears off his face, placing them in the vial, before running up and handing it to her.

Dimentio: "Please....remember. Remember me. The real me. Not the me everyone thinks I am."

She cocked her head to the side, as he put his mask back on.

Tippi: "Dimmy.... this is gross."

He chuckled.

Dimentio: "Yeah. What can I say. I'm just a sentimental fool. Ciao!"

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and vanished.

She slowly pocketed the vile.

Dimentio ran through the halls, making sure everything was set up. He teleported into Dimension D to think.

Dimentio: "Okay, okay! Change of plans again. I'll give her one chance to back out, but if she doesn't, then... back to the original plan."

He began thinking as fast as he could. Now that L was Luigi and was fighting on the opposite side, he'd need to find a way to get him back in order to save Bleck. He'd need something to...ugh, he hated thinking about this....something to control him.

Then, the metaphorical lightbulb went off in his head. 

Dimentio: "The Floral Sprouts! I'll use that!"

He snapped his fingers, summoning one.

He shuttered, knowing what would have to happen, but he promised Timpani her happy ending. He sighed and pocketed the sprout, before snapping his fingers and getting into position.

He waited for the heroes to arrive, when they hit a small save block.

Showtime.

Dimentio: "Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha. So... You've made it at last."

The group walked over to him. There stood Tippi, Mario and L.

No. Luigi. 

Not L. Luigi.

Dimentio: "Oh, but...what's this? You seem to be missing the ravishing princess and the arm flailer."

Tippi: "Dimentio... We don't have time to trade barbs with you... Move out of the way!"

Good. She listened well. 

Dimentio: "Ahhh, I see. You're in a hurry. Allow me to get out of your way, then..."

He snapped his fingers and disappeared. 

First, he wanted to play one last game. After all, if he was going down, he was gonna make it big.

His voice echoed around the room.

Dimentio: "...Just as soon as you defeat me! Aha ha ha ha ha. You've proven to be worthy foes in the past, so I'm not going to make it easy. You'll have to come get me first. It'll be like a game of tag...with magic!"

He made the heroes chase him throughout each world they had previously traveled through, until he made a full circle, and led them back to Castle Bleck. 

Dimentio: "Enjoying my game of tag?"

Luigi stepped forward.

Luigi: "Hey! Stop messing around and fight us for real!"

Dimentio's heart briefly fluttered. He wondered if Luigi had any memories of his time as L. Probably not. Dimentio hoped not. It would make their fate much less painful.

Dimentio: "Messing around? Oh, no. Magic is no laughing matter. I am always deadly serious."

He looked specifically at Tippi.

Dimentio: "I have been watching you. You are the only ones who can stand up to Count Bleck. So...I have a favor to ask. Will you help me...destroy the count?"

This was the chance he was giving her. The chance for her to back out and just let the Count die. He secretly hoped she'd take it, but he knew she wouldn't.

Luigi: " What are you talking about?! You want to betray him?!"

Dimentio smiled his best evil smile. 

Dimentio: "Betray him? Ah ha ha ha. Oh, no. It is Count Bleck who has betrayed ME! He said he would destroy all worlds and create a new, perfect world in their place. But he was lying! He plans to obliterate every world, and then keep them all in ruin."

A true statement.

Everyone had a surprised look on their faces. 

Dimentio: ".....I have always known about his nefarious goal. But I could never hope to stop him on my own. I feigned loyalty to him as I searched for someone who could defeat him with me! Well, you see... That is why...I rescued the princess from brainwashing. It's also why I sent you to The Underwhere to fix the broken Pure Heart."

He took a deep breath.

Dimentio: "And why I freed a man to be reunited with his brother... Now do you see?"

Everyone had a shocked expression on their faces. Everyone, except Luigi, who seemed to be slightly confused. Like he had just found some metaphorical puzzle pieces and was trying to find where they fit.

Tippi: "You've...been helping us all this time?"

Yes. Obviously.

Dimentio: "Ahhh, you've got me pegged. Now, how about you return the favor? I'll give you the power you need to crush Count Bleck... Just fight by my side!"

Tippi looked at Mario, when the man in red shook his head no.

Disappointing. It was expected, but still disappointing. 

One more shot.

Dimentio: "Still you refuse? But this offer, it drips with generosity! With the Chaos Heart in our hands, we can rule every world! Do you still refuse?"

Like he cared about ruling every world. He just wanted to live. If the heroes joined him, he could be redeemed. He could be with L.

But Timpani couldn't be with Blumiere.

Mario shook his head no again.

Great. Time to put on a show.

Dimentio: "So you spit upon my offer? You have wasted my time. For that, your game ends. I think I'll start with the green one. The shag upon his lip will make a fine trophy. "

Luigi: "SHAG?! This mustache is all LUIGI! Leave this one to me, Bro! You run ahead! You've got worlds to save. You don't have time to fight this baddie! Don't let Bowser and Peach's sacrifices be for nothing! Or...mine, either! Besides, he made fun of my 'stache, Bro! You know I'm sensitive about that. Lemme at him!"

Ah yes. Dimentio could see that both Luigi and L had such fragile pride. 

The Man in Red turned to face his brother, a small glint of fear in his eyes.

Luigi: "Run for it, bro!"

Mario slowly nodded and ran for it, Tippi following behind him.

Luigi: Thanks, bro....

Dimentio gave her a small smile and mouthed, 'thank you' before turning to face the Man in Green again.

Dimentio: "Ah ha ha ha. How tender. I just squeezed out a tear. Yes... Mario can run along. And if he somehow manages to defeat Count Bleck on his own...all the better! And so I strike, like an unseen dodgeball in an echoing gymnasium!"

He watched Luigi get into a fighting stance, and fought the Man in Green.

He knew he'd lose, but he still wanted to at least try to put up a convincing fight.

Dimentio: "....Do you remember?"

Luigi: "Remember what!? I don't know what's even happening! I....I'm so confused. A-all I know is that....that you guys are the bad guys! And we have to stop you!"

Dimentio: "Do you really know that?"

Luigi hesitated, before he continued to fight the jester with all his might. And, he did it without the aid of any Pixls. It was rather impressive.

Dimentio: "So you have no idea how you ended up in the Underwhere?"

Luigi briefly hesitated.

Luigi: "What?"

Dimentio shrugged.

Dimentio: "Doesn't matter."

He continued fighting the green plumber, until he was defeated, as expected.

This was the part he was dreading. No going back after this. No redemption after this.

Dimentio: "NOOOOO! I... I cry uncle! Mercy! UNCLE, I SAY!"

Luigi stepped forward, and smiled. He almost looked proud of himself.

Luigi: "Had enough, Dimentio?! I didn't need my superstar bro to take you on!"

Well of course he didn't. Despite what everyone says, Dimentio saw the Man in Green as way stronger and more powerful than his brother.

Dimentio: "I-I see that now... Your power is formidable... Which is exactly why I can't let you fall into Count Bleck's velvet-lined gloves..."

He lowered himself to the ground and stepped closer to Luigi, before waving his arms and making another execution box appear. This time around the both of them.

This would have to be one of the greatest illusions he could ever pull off. 

He briefly noticed the green bandana wrapped around his own wrist.

Dimentio: "Sorry L."

He whispered so quietly, Luigi couldn't even hear.

Luigi: "W-What're you doing...?!"

Dimentio sighed, before putting on his performance face again.

Dimentio: "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha. I have you now! Luigi! We will both taste the agony of game-overing...by magic!"

Luigi's eyes went wide, as he got a strange feeling of deja vu.

Luigi: "No....."

Dimentio lowered his voice to a whisper.

Dimentio: "Don't worry. I'll go with you this time."

He snapped his fingers, triggering a series of explosions, giving the illusion that he had just killed them both.

In reality, he merely knocked out the poor plumber.

He pulled out the sprout and took a breath.

Dimentio: "My apologies, Luigi."

He slowly planted it, then got up. He snapped his fingers, and gathered the rest of the heroes. He'd soon send them all Mario's way.

Then, it would be time. Time for the Ultimate Show.

He got everything ready and into place. He had it all planned out, adjusted for every single angle. Plus, he'd add some villain flare just so no one would have to feel guilty when he was gone.

No one cared when wicked people died anyway.

He watched the heroes nearly kill Count Bleck. He'd have to jump in soon. The moment was at hand.

And though the heroes used the pure hearts on the count, Dimentio knew the heroes could still prevail. Because they had Timpani with them. 

You'll see.

Count Bleck: "Ex... Excellent..."

Nastasia sprinted over to him.

Nastasia: "Umm...Count?"

Count Bleck: "You have won... Now finish Count Bleck... Dispatch me and the Chaos Heart will disappear. The prophecy will be undone..."

Dimentio smiled. Tippi would never let that happen. Luckily for her, he was here.

He was about to step in, when Tippi spoke.

Tippi: "Why does it have to end like this..."

Count Bleck: "Timpani... When you vanished, I searched long for you. I never gave up looking... I searched and searched......But I never found you. Without you, the world held no meaning or joy... So I used the forbidden prophecy of the Tribe of Ancients to end all worlds. I wanted to destroy everything that had taken you away from me..."

Dimentio's eyes softened. And right there, he knew he had made the right choice. Their love was true and pure. Yes, he loved L with all his heart, but....you can't have everything. At least they could be happy.

Tippi: "But I am here now... No one can keep us apart anymore... Don't you see?"

Count Bleck: "It is too late. Count Bleck has done so much evil... It must end. Just knowing that you are still alive... And knowing that the world you still live in will continue... It gives me peace. I do not have long to live. You must end my game before The Void destroys all..."

Tippi: "But...we're finally together again..."

Dimentio held in a sob. He couldn't keep watching this. He couldn't keep waiting, knowing that he wasn't going to be apart of their happy future. He calculated it all out. Each variable was right in place. Count Bleck, Nastasia, the heroes. He summoned a strong, but not a fatal projectile, and made it appear to shoot for the count. However, he knew of Nastasia's incredible loyalty . He shot just slow enough to give her the reaction time to push the count out of the way and take the hit herself.

Nastasia: "Count, look out!"

Count Bleck: "Na-Nastasia!"

As expected, she took the blow for him. Here we go.

Dimentio: "Silly assistant! Absorbing my attack to protect him? What an adorably hopeless gesture."

He floated up and over the Chaos heart.

Dimentio: "I was about to give him the everlasting peace he so desperately wants!"

Tippi: "Dimentio?! You're...alive?"

Again, ditzy as ever. Duh, he was alive. Did she think that Luigi magically survived and he didn't?

Dimentio: "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Of course. This is my moment. Even if the count dies, the Chaos Heart won't disappear if I continue to control it! But I needed the power of the Pure Hearts to beat him... I couldn't do that on my own. So I had you do all of the sweaty labor for me. And you even used your Pure Hearts to defeat Count Bleck! If they make greeting cards to thank people for helping with evil plans, I owe you one."

Of course, without the pure hearts, the chaos heart should shield him. But fear not, he had a plan which was guaranteed to get them back.

Hopefully. It actually was a rather long shot. Timpani and Blumiere better be able to pull it off.

Tippi: "What are you saying?!

Dimentio hesitated, before taking a breath and sticking to his script.

Dimentio: "I'm saying that you no longer have value to me, so I'm ending your games. They're all yours, Mr. L!"

Dimentio snapped his fingers, causing Luigi to walk forward and flail his arms.

Luigi: "Huh?! Uh...oh. AAAAAACK! Why am I flapping my arms! Oh, this... This isn't good!"

A sprout suddenly appeared on the Man in Green's head.

Luigi: "I AM MR. L! Master Dimentio... What is your bidding?"

Oh Grambi, Dimentio hated those words coming out of L's mouth. Or Luigi's mouth. He couldn't even tell at this point.

The heroes all gasped.

Princess Peach: "When...did this happen?!"

Dimentio did his best not to sound guilty.

Dimentio: "When I sent Luigi here, I planted a seed in the fertile soil of his unconscious... And now that seed has sprouted spectacularly! Mr. L... Run along now and get ready for your big entrance."

He waved his arms, creating a horrible mixture of Luigi and the Chaos heart, called Super Dimentio, just so people would remember that HE was the wicked man who nearly ended all worlds. Not Bleck. Dimentio.

Dimentio: "Now... Ladies and gentlemen... Get ready for the greatest magic show you'll ever see!"

Super Dimentio: "GREEEEEEN!

Everyone gasped in horror. Dimentio felt a shiver go down his spine.

Dimentio: ".....The Dark Prognosticus says he's the ideal host for the power of the Chaos Heart. And now I'm going to add my own power to this spicy little concoction."

Count Bleck: "No... Stop!"

Dimentio looked down at the Count. He looked so much smaller than usual. Now he looked more like who he really was. A heartbroken man. He quickly teleported Bleck, Tippi, and Nastasia to the safety of Dimension D, where they would soon use the power of love to revive the pure hearts needed to stop him.

Dimentio: "Count Bleck! You looked so tattered and pathetic, I nearly forgot about you. I'll squeeze the life out of you later. Just wait over in that dimension, OK? Great."

He quickly then added his own power to Super Dimentio, floating inside the large contraption. It was out of his hands now. He just needed to wait for the heroes' victory.

Super Dimentio took control from there, as if it was it's own being.

Super Dimentio: "Now the Chaos Heart is mine! I will use this to destroy all worlds...and create perfect new ones! So, shall we get started? Now I have all I need...to become the king of all worlds!"

Dimentio nodded from the inside. That was quite the convincing act.

Meanwhile, in Dimension D, Count Bleck began to sob.

Tippi: "We have to do something! We have to save Mario and the others!"

She suspected that Dimentio had a plan, but had no idea what it was. He told her to play along, but she didn't know what that meant. She didn't know what to do.

But she knew what not to do. Give up.

Count Bleck: "We cannot. Without the Pure Hearts, there is no way to counter the Chaos Heart. All we can do is give up..."

She turned to face him.

Tippi: "What are you SAYING?! You promised we would find happiness together! Was that all just a lie?!"

He slowly shook his head.

Count Bleck: "It was no lie... But without the Pure Hearts, all worlds are doomed. What can we do?"

Tippi: "Blumiere! Snap out of it! How can you think it would end here, after all we have suffered without each other? We found each other again because we stayed alive... How can you admit defeat?! I will not! I will not give up! You promised we'd find happiness. You PROMISED!"

Mimi: "That's right, Count!"

Bleck and Tippi turned to see Mimi and O'Chunks also there. But.....how did they get there?

You see, there was something else Dimentio relied on. His family's loyalty. Especially Nastasia's loyalty.

Count Bleck: "My minions... How did you find us here?"

Mimi: "Gosh, I could follow your big smile anywhere, Count!"

O'Chunks softly smacked the back of her head.

 O'Chunks: :Ah, she lies like a wee rug, this lass! Nastasia told us, Count! She said you'd come 'ere... Or... She said she FELT you'd be here...or somethin' along those lines."

The Count turned and looked down at Nastasia.

Count Bleck: "Nastasia..."

O'Chunks: "Talk about goin' the extra mile! She even sacrificed 'erself teh save yeh! Lissen, Count, I promised me life as well, an' I'm not afraid teh live up teh it! So... Yeh gotta let me 'elp! 

Mimi: "Yeah! I mean, there's no WAY Dimentio's getting away with this! He pulled a really dirty trick on you, but we'll always stick by your side!"

Count Bleck looked around the room, his heart filled with a deep, warm feeling.

Count Bleck: "My... My loyal minions..."

Not minions, family. Count Bleck looked around, surrounded by all the people he loved.

Almost all the people he loved.

Suddenly, the pure hearts appeared.

Count Bleck: "Hmm... What's this? Pure...Hearts?! But why?"

Tippi looked up at them, before floating into the middle.

 Tippi: ".....Isn't it obvious, Blumiere? Pure Hearts are the very feelings of our souls. As long as we feel love, they live on! I will take these to Mario!"

Dimentio was beginning to feel worried. It had been a while and the Pure hearts still had not shown up. Maybe he should have given Timpani specific instructions to follow. Perhaps putting the fate of the world in the hands of the popular blond who nearly failed magic class wasn't the best idea....

Super Dimentio: "Hmph... Let's stop wasting time and finish this, shall we? Ciao!"

Dimentio: "NO! NOT YET!" 

He cried out, but no one could hear him.

Suddenly, the pure hearts appeared.

Dimentio: "YES! AH HA HA!"

Super Dimentio: "What?! What's going on?! NO! The Pure Hearts?! I thought you wasted them all fighting Count Bleck! What's...happening?! I'm not invincible anymore... "

Good. His creation was acting exactly as he hoped it would. Everything was falling into place. Suddenly, Tippi appeared.

Tippi: "Now's our chance... The Pure Hearts have given us power! Let's get him!"

Dimentio smiled a huge happy smile. She came through!

Everything was going-

Mr. L: "Dim?"