FWTBT: Ch.11

Ch.11: D-Man-Box

"I can stand, Luigi. It's alright now."
"How is your hand, Mr. Blumiere?"
"It's had better. I'm just happy that bite didn't take my whole hand off."
"…Ah, Blumiere, your hand isn't attached to your body. It's technically off already."
"I don't need that right now, Mario."
The group was now down to four able bodies. Mario, Luigi, Blumiere, and Darla were now heading their way towards Castle Dimentio. Luigi and Blumiere were kept entertained by Mario and Darla's story about how Ruby nearly ate them, but at the last second became their pet. In return for their tale, Luigi and Blumiere told how O'Chunks and Mimi managed to fight on their own and being victorious over their drawing counter parts. They also told the tale of how Marlin and Luigi saved Volix's life from being a brainwashed slave. What Luigi didn't mention was how Volix got himself a new heart crystal.
"Oh, wow! That's remarkable!" Darla floated alongside Luigi, "You took on General Volix all by yourself to save Marlin's life?"
"Yep, it was something that I had to do without thinking. Normally when I think I get to shaky to move. I never thought I could stay latched onto Volix's head that long."
"That is truly amazing, bro." Mario placed his hand on Luigi's back, "See, you're more of a hero than the people of the Mushroom Kingdom give you credit for."
"Thanks, Mario."
"Wait a moment, I thought Volix died from his impalement and by some insane way was revived by your tears-owe!" Blumiere got elbowed in the broken ribs by Luigi.
"You alright, Mr. Blumiere?"
"Apparently, I'm not." He shot a glare at Luigi.
"You might want to get some mushrooms for that rib of yours," He had to put a hand over his mouth to hinder his laugh.
"Yeah…thanks for the advice."
"Advice is my specialty."
After nearly having Luigi's head taken off by Blumiere's fit of a maniacal tantrum, the four reached the peak of the city. At their stand point they overlooked the gloomy valley, littered with abandoned buildings and the remains of former living things. At the end of the valley was Castle Dimentio, towering in full view of the heroes. From the look of the lowered flags of the castle there was a gentle breeze in the valley.
"Oh, Crap. That center part of the castle just keeps going up." Luigi tried to see the top of the castle, "There's just no end to that tower."
"That's what I said," Mario sighed, "and I bet at the top of that thing is Dimentio and that twisted girl, Ren."
"And I had a chance to get that book back from that wretch." Luigi kicked an abandon pop can, "Ren has made herself so powerful with that stupid thing I just got planted against a building."
"Sorry to hear that, Luigi. For some reason, I think that Ren girl is more eager in pleasing Dimentio than wanting to get power. I mean, come on. Willing to die for an insane psycho path? That's a bit much."
Darla kept quiet. All while Luigi and Mario were talking about Ren Darla couldn't help think about the horrible ways she could be curling Dimentio's mind to her whim. She closed her eyes and let a single tear fall. She felt the soft blood stained glove of Blumiere and she gazed up at him. He had a small smile on his face.
"Do not worry, Darla. We will get your Dimentio back to you. I've come to realize that Dimentio was formerly a good kid and needs you with him. All while he was with my minions and me he wouldn't stop talking about you when he was alone. I heard him speak about one day finding someone, but I had no idea it was you. So, please, if it means anything, let the Mario Brothers and I aid you in saving Dimentio."
"Thank you, Mr. Blumiere. That means a lot to me."
The four unlikely heroes continued their path down into the valley and towards the dark cold feeling castle. The closer they got the colder the feeling became. Luigi started shivering once they were half way there.
"Odd, Blumiere, was it this cold the first time we came this close?"
"No, it was nothing like this before. Great, this means one of two things. Either Dimentio's emotions are finally spilling out onto the environment…or he's already summoned the Chaos Heart."
"You can't be serious," Darla almost yelled, "Why would he summon that?"
"The Chaos Heart is the final tool in ending all worlds. Apparently, this world isn't enough for him. If he forms another void, there will be no possible way in stopping it."
"It's because the Pure Hearts are back in Flip Side isn't it?" Mario frowned.
"That…and the Book of Destiny conjured it. Being conjured by that demonic book gives the heart added strength. Whoever wields that heart after that summoning will have terrible mental warping." He shivers, "If Dimentio's mind isn't already warped there's no telling what will happen to him after he gains back the Chaos Heart."
Several questions had been bugging Luigi for such a long time now. Since he had been fused to Dimentio and to the Chaos Heart he knew that Dimentio had full control over him and the heart. He was one with the crazed jester. He looked to his hand and just stared at it.
"Blumiere…I heard only No Face royals are able to use the Book of Destiny...but in all the usage the book turns the user evil…if the Book of Destiny is so evil…then how come I wasn't controlled by it?"
"That, Luigi, I do not know. The Book of Destiny was hand crafted by Gilgamesh himself. Nothing good ever comes from his creations, but why you are not corrupted I may never be able to tell you."
"Ok…Blumiere, I have another question."
"Tell away, Mr. Luigi."
"…Where did the Chaos Heart come from?"
Again, the ghastly man was very quiet. He knew very well where that evil heart came from. He reached for his top hat to cover his eyes, only to fail because he remembered Dimaleck destroyed his hat. With a sigh, Blumiere just spoke softly.
"Do not judge me about this knowledge I know."
"I don't judge, Blumiere."
"…The Chaos Heart was created long time ago, far before any of the ancient tribes ever heard of it. The servant Chaos, a shapeless being who could appear as anything it pleased, appeared before the Tribe of Darkness and the ancient ones. From the old stone tablets I've seen, Chaos's heart was very visible for everyone to see. Both tribes often called the demon Chaos Heart because Chaos did not have any definite shape.'
'If it had not been for the super star Igy ripping that heart out of the demon's body, Chaos would still be around. Once Igy pulled the heart out of Chaos's body the demon burst into two more parts. The Tribe of Darkness saw this as an opportunity. By using the Dark Prognostics my father's followers sealed Chaos's mind and soul inside the book while sending the Chaos Heart into another realm all together."
"…What would happen if anyone got a hold of any of the three?"
"You already know what the Chaos heart is capable of."
"But tell me, Blumiere, what is the mind and soul able to do to a person?"
"…The only way a person would even know about what they can do if they have that piece inside them. I do know this…my father told me to never read the Dark Prognostics because he believed those fragments would drain into the one who reads the book…Sadly, I know I am not the first to have read the book…I know…someone read it before I did…and I have a terrible feeling that it was Dimentio who read the book before I did."
Hearing Blumiere's words frightened Luigi.
"Blumiere…is…is there a way…for Chaos to be…back?"
"…Sadly…yes. If ever his heart, mind, and soul would return as one…he would return in full power. If he returns…then that means…the other will return…then…" Blumiere was starting to feel the worst is coming, "…we are all doomed."
Before Luigi had time to react to Blumiere's story, a massive shockwave bolted from the tower and across the valley and past the four, knocking all of them off their feet…um, out of the air for two. Several weaker buildings collapsed from the shock in the distance.
"Mama mia, what the crap was that?" Mario jumped to his feet.
"Not sure, but that was a powerful shockwave…We're running out of time. COME ON!"
Blumiere bolted as fast as he could through the air towards the castle, leaving the others in his dust. Racing after him came Mario and Darla. Now Luigi was left standing alone. For some reason he couldn't get his legs to move at the moment. He kept staring at the castle's center tower. In his heart he felt a feeling he never thought he could feel. The feeling was of sorrow and loneliness.
"Luigi, are you coming?" Mario called back to him from a lower section of the valley.
"Yeah…" Luigi hurried on after Mario.
If anyone saw those four unlikely heroes they would tell you they only saw blurs of blue, red, and green. It was as if they were racing for their lives, but in this case racing to save a life. Closer and closer they approached the castle until it was right there in front of them. Blumiere and Mario stopped quickly while Darla and Luigi went on.
"Darla, Luigi, stop!" Mario warned just a little too late.
Blumiere and Mario wrenched away right at the point Darla and Luigi slammed head first into the castle barrier. Luigi slid down the barrier until he plopped on the ground. Darla, on the other hand, rammed the barrier so hard she left blood on the barrier as she fell, landing on Luigi nearly out cold.
"Ah, forgot to warn you both…there's a barrier on the castle."
"No duh, Sherlock," Luigi grumbled, "That would have been nice to know BEFORE we hit the stupid barrier."
"Least it wasn't the fan." Mario smiled.
"…just shut up, Mario." Luigi rubbed his nose as he tried getting up. He didn't know Darla was on his back until after he sat on his knees, sliding her off his back, "Oh, crap, Darla!"
Luigi attended to Darla's head, ripping off part of his sleeve to wrap around one of the points of her head. Gently, Luigi picked Darla up in his arms as he stood.
"Great, Darla knocked herself out on the barrier and we can't get in."
"There must be a way in. That crazy girl can't be the only one who can go to and from this castle."
"Unfortunately," A twisted and familiar voice came from a jester, "She is."
Instantly the three able bodies looked directly towards where the voice came from and low and behold they gazed directly into the eyes of Dimentio, floating very high above them. This time, everyone knew it was him since his appearance was more male than the female jester's was and his face actually moved, indicating it was not a mask. Darker than usual, the charming magician grinned at them.
"My, oh my…I didn't expect you three to come here. I was thinking more along the lines of the actual heroes, not two plumbers and a wispy ghost.
"Where's your little fan girl pawn, Dimentio?" Blumiere growled.
"Oh, she's taking a nice long rest. After all, she served me so well, it's the least I could do for her." He spun upside down and remained there, "Oh, she served me so well I do not require much more use from her."
"You're going to kill her?" Luigi spoke sadly.
"I'm not…but I bet you three will."
Blumiere, Mario, and Luigi just looked at one another when Dimentio said 'I bet you three will'. Once they had their pounder they gazed back at the upside down jester. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Are my guests confused at my words? Oh, how typical of you all. Your minds can not wrap around the full extent of the recent events that I have been through, but no matter. It will be only a matter of time before I get what I truly came here for. By now, you all probably know what I am after."
"The Chaos Heart," Mario clinched his fist, "That heart was sent into a realm to be banished from all worlds! There is no possible way for it to return!"
"That shows how little you know, my dear fiery red plumber. You see, unlike the Dark Prognostics, the Book of Destiny is a reality bending device that is powered by the very same force that created the Chaos Heart. With this," He flipped right side up and grasped the book from a sleeve, "I can do whatever I please. With this, I am able to summon whatever I please!"
"But you can't draw worth a hill of beans, Dimentio." Luigi smirked.
Blumiere held a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Luigi's remark and Blumiere's snickering changed the look on Dimentio's face. It was only Mario who saw the slow changes of a psychotic smile to a hateful glare. Raising a hand to one side, Dimentio formed a large energy spike ball and shot it at Blumiere and Luigi. Thankfully, Blumiere saw it coming and Mario pushed Luigi out of the way. None of them ever saw Dimentio react this way before…in fact, no one ever saw Dimentio show hate beside Blumiere.
"That's quite enough now. I will have no more of your sass." He spoke calmly, "I do not need to be a good drawer in order to summon the true Chaos Heart. After learning what Dimentia has drawn for me, I realize that I can just depict a panorama and it will come all the same. I do not need her help for my final performance and clearly, I do not need anyone."
Darla's eyes started to open slowly. It was Dimentio's voice that was waking her up. She managed to open her yes enough to see blurs, but her full sight hadn't returned yet.
"Dim…Dimentio?" She spoke up.
The crazed jester heard her soft voice and finally stared down at the green No Face. His angry eyes slowly started to become more and more looser until everyone could see alarm in his eyes. Luigi turned Darla around enough to show Dimentio her face.
"She seems familiar to you, Dimentio?" Luigi wanted him to remember her.
He floated without words for what seemed like an hour, his eyes never leaving Darla. His large yellow and black eyes started to shimmer from the start of tears.
"C-c…can it be? Is that…d-d...eeee," He placed a hand on his head and floated backwards from the group, "It's not her you dolt…but it…it has to be-You were already fooled once. Do not be tricked again, boy!"
The standing heroes were stunned to hear Dimentio speaking double talk. They watched the struggling jester jerk and grip at his long hat for several minutes until finally he stopped struggling. He straightened up once more and gave his usual laugh.
"Ah, ha, ha, ha, I see what you are all trying to do. You're trying to trick me into thinking that's Darla and get me to hand over the Book of Destiny."
"We're not trying to trick you!" Mario yelled, "This is Darla!"
"Dimentio," Darla was nearly fully awake, "Is that you, Dimentio?"
"Save your theatrics, little green one. I will have no more of this." Dimentio stuck the book back into his outfit and took out a tiny box with a crank handle on it.
"Dimentio, it is you!" Darla was now out of Luigi's arms and floating, "Dimentio, please stop this! Stop this madness!"
"Madness you say? I find it magical. Once the Chaos Heart is summoned I'll show you, my little imposter, what a real show looks like."
"THIS ISN'T YOU! WHAT DID THAT WITCH DO TO YOU!?" Darla was now tearing up, "Have you forgotten everything that was good and happiness in your life? Have you forgotten your people, your real people? Have you forgotten the ways of a true No Face? Have you forgotten all your friends and family? Have you forgotten me? ANSWER ME, DIMENTIO!"
"What rambling questions you have." He faked a yawn, "Your acting is very moving, but not convincing to me and thus you have wasted my time as it is." He gave another laugh and started fiddling with the little crank box he had, "However, I did find your little play rather moving, and thus I'll give you a consolation prize, a toy of demonic proportions!"
He floated nearly ten more feet up from his current position and tossed the little box into the air. While it spun on the way down the little box grew rapidly in size until the box became nearly thirteen feet tall when it slammed on the ground, causing a mini quake. The box was a pale purple with 4 large gems on all the corners on all sides of the box. On the face of each side was a very large 'D'. The crank handle of the box was now solid silver with a ruby on the very end.
"Well, that be it for now, I hope you do enjoy my little friend. Until another time, I bid you all adue and ciao."
He laughed madly as he teleported out of sight. A dark and ill feeling fell on the four as the crank handle on the box slowly began to turn on its own. The box started to play the opening tune to 'The Ultimate Show' and immediately the group knew on the last note of the opening something was going to happen. Boy, where they ever right.
On the very last note of the opening theme the lid on the box flung open, sending a massive jester demon on a spring into the air. The appearance couldn't have been anymore like Dimentio, but the newly added gigantic fangs and more narrow eyes were different. Like all No Faces the claws of the demon jack-in-the-box floated separately from the rest of its massive body. Bouncing on its massive spring the large demon drawing didn't look too happy.
"M-mario, I think we need to run." Luigi shivered in fear.
"Ditto,"
All four took off in separate directions at once. Seeing them run the demonic drawing had the urge in screaming 'D-Man-Box' and hopped after the one it saw the last. Sadly, that was Luigi. With each hop, the ground rumbled tremendously, causing many weak buildings to fall. There was no possible way for Luigi to keep running straight and break away from D-Man-Box since with each hop the demonic drawing gained nearly ten feet of distance.
Before Luigi got squished on the D-Man-Box's last hop the jester like box was hit from the side with two different energy attacks. Darla and Blumiere were zooming through the air, trying to keep it away from Luigi. With several more attacks the D-Man-Box started to come off one side of the ground and topple. It only flailed enough to cram itself back into its box the moment it fell over, closing the lid on it. It made two rolls before landing on the side opposite to the crank.
"I think that did it," Blumiere smiled, "Not a very powerful monster."
"It's kind of stupid if you ask me," Mario called from the ground.
"…Guys…IT'S COMING BACK!" Luigi took off running.
Cramming it back inside the box was a futile attempt in winning. Compensating, the demonic drawing just hopped again, but this time it spun into its hop, gaining a lot more distance and speed than it was out of the box. On one of the jumps the edge of the box slammed Darla clean out of the air and right into Luigi. With one more hop D-Man-Box landed just inches from Luigi and Darla and didn't hop again. It had landed right on the lid of the box and couldn't jump anymore, no matter how had it tried.
"Its trapped," Darla stood and helped Luigi up.
"I just think it got it stuff stuck….and most likely will free itself."
He was right. One of the drawings large black gloved claws came out of the lid of the box and started to twist on the crank shaft. After several cranks, the claws just slip back into the back and the whole box started to rumble. On the last rumble it sprang skyward and landed back on the base of the box. D-Man-Box roared loudly out of anger and formed a fist with its claws. Darla and Luigi had to jump in different direction to avoid the powerful blow that the drawing left in the cement.
Luigi landed on the cracked cement not too far away from the miniature crater left behind D-Man-Box's fist. He tried to get up as fast as he could, but as soon as he got up a finger came down on him and just planted him back onto the ground. Finding it rather hard to breath, Luigi tried the best he could to yell for help. Lowering its massive head, D-Man-Box came within an inch of Luigi with its nose. As if it couldn't see well, the monster just squinted at him.
"Ah…n-nice D-d…D-Man-Box…d-don't hurt me now…d-don't hurt Luigi." He shivered.
As soon as Luigi said his own name the gigantic demon drawing's eyes got large. Following the eye change came a super large grin. It wasn't a twisted evil grin, but a happy appearance. Sounding like a high pitch thunder a purring sound escaped the monster's throat. Slowly, Luigi lifted his head up and saw the monster was not going to harm him.
"You're…not going to kill me?"
It kept purring and removed its finger from Luigi's back. Before Luigi had time to run D-Man-Box placed its nose on Luigi and started to rub on him. Feeling violated, Luigi tried to get away, but the large black gloved hand of the drawing came down and snagged him by his overall straps. He was then lifted high into the air and came level to the demon's eyes. Flailing madly Luigi could not seem to escape the claws of D-Man-Box.
"MARIO, HELP!" Luigi screamed as the monster started rubbing its head on him, "ITS TRYING TO RUB ME TO DEATH!"
"LU…IGI…LU…IGI!" D-Man-Box purred, "LU…IGI…LU…IGI!"
"What the crap?" Mario managed to scale on top of a vacant building's roof, "Why in the world is that thing rubbing on Luigi?"
"LITTLE HELP HERE, PEOPLE!"
"This is…rather odd." Blumiere floated about twenty feet away from the demonic drawing.
It seemed that everyone was just standing around dumbstruck about a thirty foot drawing falling for Luigi. They watched for a few moments D-Man-Box make very loud purrs and nuzzle Luigi with its nose. Whatever the reason was D-Man-Box had a thing for Luigi.
"WHY ARE YOU ALL JUST STANDING THERE? HELP ME!"
"It's not hurting you!" Darla called to him, "Luigi, it likes you!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT LIKES ME?" Luigi was trying desperately to get out of the grip of the large D-Man-Box, "I'M BEING CRUSHED BY A GIANT NOSE!"
Mario took a running start and lunged off the building and managed to grab onto one of the large dangles of the drawing's hat, pulling its head to one side. A mad roar escaped D-Man-Box's throat and quickly started thrashing its head. The crazed flailing shook Mario rapidly along with Luigi.
"I'M GETTING SICK! MAKE IT STOP!" Luigi screamed out.
On the last thrash the demonic drawing managed to grab onto Mario with its free hand and yank him off its hat dangle. It held Mario up to its rather large and angry eyes and growled. Mario could feel the grip around him get tighter and tighter. He managed to open his eyes and stare deep into the yellow and black that the monster glared back with. For a good long minute Mario stared.
Then he saw something appear in the eyes of the demon, a very faint image of a woman. The image was hard to see because the eyes of D-Man-Box were so glossy, but there was a woman's image visible in the yellow eye. Mario strained his eyes harder to make out who that woman was. To his amazement the image of the woman stuck Mario's memories.
"MAMA MIA, IT'S RE-GAAAAUGH!" Mario was flung from D-Man-Box's hand and rammed right into the cement.
"MARIO!" Luigi screamed from the drawing's right hand.
Mario's eyes went screwy. He was seeing doubles and triples of everything. Dazed and unable to get up Mario remained on the cracked cement. With a high pitched roar D-Man-Box hopped back a few times as if it was preparing to lunge and squish Mario. Mario could hear Blumiere and Darla screaming for him to get up, but being half knocked out plays a toll on your hearing. He felt the rumbles of D-Man-Box's hops then felt nothing. Once his vision finally came to he screamed.
"OH, CRAP!" Mario lunged from his spot right before D-Man-Box came down.
Again the large monster roared out of anger and tried to smash Mario with its free hand. Racing across the ground Mario motioned for someone to get him off the ground. Another close call from being squished Blumiere bolted down and grabbed Mario and rocketed into the air. In their flight Mario started creating fireballs in his hands and started shooting them at not the demon drawing, but more at the spring of the drawing.
"Mario, what are you aiming at?" Blumiere yelled.
"I'm aiming for the spring!"
"Why the crap are you aiming for the spring and not for its hand to get Luigi free?"
"I don't want to harm that monster too badly."
"Huh?"
"Blumiere, that drawing is Ren!"
Luigi struggled greatly against the grip of D-Man-Box's (or Ren's) hand. His constant movements made D-Man-Box place her nose back on Luigi, being very confused. The wriggling and rubbing was generating electricity in Luigi's body and it came to a point Luigi remember he had an ability that no one else had. So he yelled out.
"THUNDER!"
Like a flash, Luigi released all the electricity in his body. Like a fork in the light socket D-Man-Box screamed and flailed from the massive amount of voltage. It didn't help her any being connected to a metal spring and a metal crank box. After the last bit of electricity was grounded smoke came for the jester jack-in-the-box's hat. With a single cough she relinquished her grip on Luigi, letting him plummet from the air. Just before he hit the ground Darla swooped in and shot back into the air.
Unable to move much D-Man-Box just swayed, dangling her claws at her sides. As if that was a cue Blumiere zoomed from his position with Mario and circled her. Coming in closer Mario started his fury of fireballs at the large metal spring. With each direct hit D-Man-Box squealed louder and louder. Finally she was able to move, but only to realize that part of her spring was becoming melted and unable to work properly. Flailing greatly D-Man-Box tried her hardest to keep upright. Flying to the front of the monster Blumiere grabbed Mario up by his legs and spun so hard, he released Mario in the direction of D-Man-Box, flinging him at near break neck speeds. In a single flip Mario redirected himself to where he was going feet first.
In a single meteor like kick Mario landed a powerful blow right into D-Man-Box's chest. The force of the kick sent the monster backwards, stretching out the metal spring greatly. Due to the one weak spot in the spring the metal coil snapped apart. The sudden break flipped her so hard she couldn't stop flipping and rolling across the ground. At the speeds she was going nothing was strong enough to stop her…except for the barrier of Castle Dimentio.
Like a hundred mile truck pancaking a brick wall D-Man-Box collided with the magical barrier. With the collision spider wed cracks started to appear everywhere on the barrier till finally the magic couldn't withstand the force any longer. The sound of breaking glass filled the air as the barrier shattered into millions and millions of pieces. The shards disintegrated before they hit the ground.
"WHY TO GO MARIO!" Luigi cheered.
"Rock on, Mr. Mario!" Darla joined in.
Mario landed safely on the ground and gazed at the damage he created. Once again Blumiere swooped down and grabbed Mario so that walking didn't slow them down. They whipped past the empty crank box and came to a stop where D-Man-Box laid. They could hear her whimpering up a storm though the ground was muffling her cries. Setting Luigi down Darla floated close to the massive monster's head. Though she had always hated Ren she felt terrible for her being turned into such a demonic creature. She floated right to the top hat dangle and petted it.
"It's ok, Ren. We're not going to hurt you anymore."
D-Man-Box lifted her head to her and sniffled.
"It's going to be okay. Please, don't cry anymore. You need to rest from your injuries."
As if it was a command D-Man-Box yawned and lowered her head back onto her claws and closed her eyes. With a sigh, Darla floated back to the others.
"Is she going to be alright?" Luigi tilted his head.
"I have no clue. I didn't expect Dimentio turning her into a monster like this."
"Dimentio is unpredictable. We can't expect he will be merciful for anyone in his current state of mind." Blumiere placed a hand on Darla's shoulder, "Do not worry. We will stop all this."
"Hey, Blumiere, Luigi, Darla, the barrier is gone!" Mario smiled, "Ren must have shattered the barrier on impact-"
Several quick flashes appeared in the sky. The air was becoming more and more violent. Dark clouds of purple and black started to swirl over Castle Dimentio. Instantly Luigi could feel great evil starting to appear. With a shiver he spoke.
"Guys, something evil is appearing and it's something…something that I felt before."
"Time is of the essence. Let's move!" Blumiere bolted towards the front gate of the castle.
Trailing Blumiere was Mario, Darla, and then Luigi. These four unlikely heroes are about to face off with a fight of a lifetime. These four unlikely heroes are about to jump head first into a darkness that hadn't been seen in almost thirty-five years. These four unlikely heroes better know what they are doing as the last of Luigi's blue overalls slip into the blacken oblivion that is Castle Dimentio.