Timpani: L! Mr.L, wake up!
I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes. I looked to see everyone staring down at me. So I could already tell that I was on the floor. Timpani helped me to my feet and I glanced around.
Mr.L: Where did Dimentio go?
Everyone gave me a look of confusion and concern.
Timpani: Are you feeling alright?
Blumiere: You must be having delusions. Probably induced by your sudden fainting episode.
Mr.L: I fainted..?
Mimi: Yeah, silly! You fell over onto the floor after Tippi said that we could all be happy.
Nastasia: But to be honest, it's all kinda fuzzy to us too.
Did I dream it all..? No, I couldn't have! I felt around my pockets but couldn't find the Pure Hearts.
Mr.L: Does anyone know where the Pure Hearts are?
Mario: You LOST THEM?!
I held my hands up.
Mr.L: I swear to Grambi I didn't lose them!
Everyone started to look around the place.
O'Chunks: Found 'em!
I looked to O'Chunks and saw him pointing at something. I followed his gaze to nine heart-shaped rocks and a piece of paper. I ran over to them and recognized the heart rocks as stoned Pure Hearts and a stoned Chaos Heart.
Blumiere: All of the power has been used up! And... The Purple Pure Heart is there as well! Where did it come from?!
I repressed the urge to tell him that Dimentio had it the whole time. I picked up the piece of paper and saw some writing on it.
Mimi: What's that ya got, Mr.L?
I read over the neat handwriting.
'I apologize again for the trouble... The Hearts have all been sapped up and reverted to this state after I used them. They could be restored if desired, though. I wish for you not to go looking for me...
-Kindest regards, Dimentio'
I let out a depressed sigh under my breath. He was so determined to keep me away...
Mimi: Well?! What is it?!
Mr.L: Nothing, Mimi...
Mimi: Well it doesn't SEEM like nothing!
I think that everyone could figure out I was in a downcast mood.
Nastasia: C'mon Mimi, let's get going.
Mimi: But whhhhyyyyyy..?
O'Chunks: C'mon lass.
I turned around and could see my three former teammates march off.
Mario: Well, we gotta go too.
Luigi: No we don't!
Mario elbowed him in the side and then whispered something to him.
Luigi: I-I mean, yeah! We gotta get going, hehe...
Nastasia came back in as Luigi and Mario trudged out. I was about to leave but Timpani and Blumiere stood in my path.
Timpani: Alright, who is the note from?!
I stood taken aback.
Mr.L: U-uh...
I felt the note get snatched from my hand and I turned to see that Nastasia took it!
Mr.L: Don't you read that!
I tried to take it back only for her to dodge. She looked it over and her jaw went slack.
Mr.L: Oh boy...
Blumiere: What's wrong Nastasia?
Timpani: Who is it from?!
I shot a glare at Nastasia but she still passed the note to Timpani. Timpani quickly read it and gasped. I buried my face in my hands and let out a groan of annoyance as the letter was then passed to Blumiere. He paled as soon as he finished reading.
Blumiere: Surely this is counterfeit?!
Mr.L: no...
Nastasia: I knew that something felt off!
Mr.L: Look, I don't want to explain everything but-
Timpani: Dimentio came back for you! Didn't he?
Mr.L: Er, yes..?
Timpani let out a squeal of delight and wrapped me in a hug, much to my surprise.
Timpani: Yay! He's alive! He's alive!
Mr.L: Uh... Not exactly...
Timpani let go of me and gave me a look of confusion.
Nastasia: I can explain... You see-
Blumiere: You experimented with DETERMINATION and brought Dimentio back as a Pixl, correct?
Nastasia froze.
Nastasia: H-how did-?!
Blumiere: Timpani and I knew for a while. It was hard to believe the encounter with Dim the Pixl was a dream we both shared.
Nastasia rubbed her hands together nervously.
Nastasia: So, I assume that you're both upset...
Blumiere: Haha! Hardly! You did right, trying to bring them back. You just made the mistake of not coming for help.
Mr.L: But we can't fix it NOW!
Timpani: Yes we can!
I groaned.
Mr.L: Oh, don't be so optimistic, Mrs.Butterflies! He's been turned back into a Pixl! And he ripped out his SOUL! You can't fix that!
Blumiere clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Blumiere: Both can be mended with the same solution.
Mr.L: Really?!
Timpani: You forget that I was a Pixl for some time.
She was right...
Mr.L: B-but Dimentio told me that his SOUL is no longer compatible with his body!
Blumiere: And you also forget, my SOUL was stained black as tar when I had taken up the name Count Bleck, not the brilliant white that it takes on now.
Apparently, we SHOULD'VE gone to them sooner.
Mr.L: I still don't know what solution you're talking about... YOU forget that Dimentio killed me before you two were reunited.
Nastasia: Wait, Dimentio KILLED you?! He said that the heroes- Y'know what, not important right now.
I became perplexed at the statement but ignored it.
Nastasia: We know the solution, and I know what it requires, Mr.L.
I looked at her.
Nastasia: You need to find Dim.
Mr.L: Er, he said to not look for him.
Nastasia: And you're just going to ACCEPT defeat?!
Mr.L: Y'know what... No. The Green Thunder does NOT accept defeat so easily! I'm going to find him and bring him back whether he likes it or not!
Nastasia: Good!
Blumiere: Bring him back here and we can explain the next step after that.
I nodded.
Timpani: But... Where could he be..?
I thought it over for a moment.
Mr.L: I think I know. I'll head there now. L-ater!
I marched off for the exit. Confidence in my stride. I was finally going to get Dimentio back.