"'Ey, count! What're yeh doin'?!" O'Chunks exclaimed, crooked eyes going wide.

"We will use the Pure Hearts again, this time to banish the Chaos Heart. All we need is true love..." He looked at Timpani and smiled. "And that is something I am lucky enough to possess. But..." The smile faded. "With the Chaos Heart gone, the Pure Hearts and those linked to them... They may cease to exist..."

Mimi gasped and immediately latched onto his cloak. "You mean you might go away? B-But, I don't want you to go!" She started crying.

He bent down and held her, soothing away the tears. "All of this is my fault... The price is mine to pay." After a moment, he let her go, taking out a handkerchief and giving it to her. The green girl sniffed and used it to wipe her eyes.

He turned to his beloved. "But you, Timpani..." He struggled to get the words out. "It pains me to know this may cut your game short... Still... There is no other way to end this..."

She settled on the back of his hand. He knew she was smiling up at him, even if he couldn't see it. "I know, Blumiere... I know..."

"Timpani..."

"Don't say another word... As long as I am with you, nothing else matters."

He bit back a sob. Just then, the world around them shook violently, almost causing him to lose his shaky balance.

O'Chunks steadied himself and shouted, "It-It's happening!"

The count straightened, a determined expression appearing on his face. "We must go, Timpani..."

"Yes, Blumiere..." She lifted off of his hand and flew to the altar. He began to leave as well, but stopped and looked back at his two loyal friends. He smiled, and bowed low to them, showing them his respect and gratitude. Then, he turned away and continued to the altar. The Chaos Heart appeared in between them, and then the world faded away as he saw nothing but her.

It was the vows, the vows that they had never been able to say long ago, that unlocked the last of the dark chains binding his heart. He let it out, all of it, his love for her and the world and his minions and even the heroes. Then the world truly did disappear as all went white.

...

"Blumiere?"

"...Blumiere?"

He opened his eyes, blinking away the bleariness and squinting against the sun. She was there, gently shaking his shoulder to wake him. The wind played with her auburn hair, lifting it teasingly. He looked up into her beautiful green eyes and smiled. She smiled back, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning. Did you fall asleep out here, my silly Blumiere?"

He looked around. He was sitting on the grass, leaning against the tree. "I suppose I did, love." His happy smile fell away.

Timpani noticed. "What's wrong?"

He patted the ground beside him, and she sat down. He leaned his head against her shoulder and sighed. "I came out here to think... I miss them, Timpani..."

She understood. "Me, too. I never really got to meet them, but I miss Mario and the others. And from the stories you like to tell me, your minions were some pretty great people."

He suddenly felt like crying. "And Nastasia... She gave her life for me... and I could never relieve her misery..."

Timpani patted his cheek. "Well, I'm glad you never stopped loving me, but it sounds like she took good care of you."

He grimaced. "That she did...Timpani..."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we can ever go back?"

"You want to leave?" She didn't sound upset.

"No... Well, yes, but... I'm happy here, in this place... But I no longer have everyone I care about with me..."

She nodded. "I know... It's nice here, but it really is lacking in people."

He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her closer to him. "Yes, it is... I'm still not sure whether we're dead or not."

She giggled. "I don't think so. I've been to The Overthere, and it's nothing compared to here, with you..."

"Hah! I love you, too..." he hummed.