Back to the Great Pixl War

Chapter 18

"Did we do it.....?" Di asked. "Did we vanquish the Pixl Queen?" Luigi dropped to his knees. "No. She did it." A single tear fell down his face. Di walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Luigi leaned his head against Di and buried his face in his own hands. "I'm sorry. I know, this is what we wanted but, I don't know. I really thought I could help her, change her. Her emotions were real. Her pain was real." Luigi sobbed. Di picked him up and brought him into a tight hug. "Hey, shh shh, it's alright. It's gonna be okay." Di pulled back and smiled. "She can rest now. Finally be at peace." Luigi nodded. 

Something about Di's smile was familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Suddenly, another realization hit him. 

"OH NO, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT ME!" Luigi stepped back. "You have to pretend I wasn't here. Say that you and Visionary defeated the Pixl queen if people ask. You can't say anything about me. Just forget I exist."

A confused expression swept over Di's face. "But why? You helped me. You deserve at least some of the credit." Luigi grabbed Di's shoulders and started shaking them. "Promise me, Promise me you won't tell anyone about me being here. Please!" "Alright, alright, I promise. Now stop. You're shaking me like a child shaking an unopened Christmas present." Luigi let out a sigh and stepped back. "Thank you."

Mr. L, Dimentio, and Mario all entered the main room at different times. When they did, Luigi explained everything that happened, and how the Pixl Queen was taken care of, for good this time. The time came for them all to leave. Di made sure to see them farewell, staying behind in the temple so he wouldn't know where they went off to.

Mr. L was the first to Say goodbye. "You're not gonna tell anyone about this, right?" He asked Di. Di shook his head. "You guys helped take down the Pixl Queen. I am forever in your debt. If your wish is for me to pretend you never came, then so be it. I am a man of my word." Mr. L smiled. "Good." He looked into Di's eyes. They were black. He waited for a second, they had a familiar look to them. "Are we having a staring contest?" Di asked, snapping L out of his daze. "No, sorry. Heh, just lost in thought....." Di smiled, putting Mr. L at ease. "You're nothing like I expected you to be." Mr. L laughed. Di tilted his head to the side. "Really? What did you expect me to be like?" Mr. L shrugged. "I don't know. I thought you'd be some ancient old, wise guy. Not some smiley teenager." Di giggled. "I'm 19, so technically I'm an adult." Mr. L laughed. "But still. Didn't you lose everyone? How can you manage to still smile after all of that?" Di smiled even brighter. "Because, I know there's always good people out there who will rise above, and today, I get to be one of those people! I have to keep smiling and pushing forward, for all my friends who were lost." Mr. L looked down. "If I were in your shoes, I'd be so blinded by rage, I wouldn't know what to do with myself." Di looked down as well. "Well, I almost let my anger get to me when I saw my family and friends killed, but I had to remind myself to push forward. Their sacrifices would not be in vain. I know if they were here now, they would want me to push forward with a smile on my face." Mr. L shook his head. "You're crazy." Di continued to smile. "Perhaps I am." Mr. L held out his hand. "Well, I guess this is goodbye." Di shook it slowly. "Yeah, I suppose so. Farewell sir." 

Dimentio followed behind him. He glanced at Di. Di smiled back. "I see you're floating. Are you a magician from the future?" Dimentio smiled. "I guess you could call me that." Di laughed. "Ah ha ha, I see you wear a mask. Are you hiding your face?" Dimentio looked away. "I just met you. Let's not get personal." Di smiled. "Fair enough. How long have you been able to fully become aware of your powers?" Dim tilted his head to the side. "Uhh, my whole life?" Di's face lit up. "Really?" Di then lifted his hand. A small magic projectile floated above it. "I just started learning to control my powers. I can't really do much yet, but my family has been known for being able to do some pretty amazing things. Maybe someday I can float, just like you!" Dimentio smiled. "Yeah. It's pretty fun. Way better than walking." Di giggled. "Yeah, I bet!" Dim bowed. "Well, I believe this is where I say ciao. Please be careful with that book" Di looked down at the Dark Prognosticus, thenbowed in response. "Very well. I will make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Goodbye Magician from the future!"