Dimentio was lucky enough to get a total of about thirty seconds to himself before Mr. L suddenly appeared next to him. He wasn't sure if he was upset by this or impressed by the fact that Dio's teleportation skills had been continuing to improve.

"Did you request to come here, or was this his doing," Dimentio asked without even turning to look the man in green in the eye.

"... I was going to request it regardless. He beat me to it," Mr. L admitted, sighing and sitting down next to Dimentio.

"Ah," Dimentio replied. So it must have been obvious to both of them that he was distressed. How great. He sincerely wished that he could go back to not showing any emotion at all. He missed being able to hide. He didn't like how it seemed to be getting harder and harder.

"I know what you're thinking," Mr. L stated.

"I know, I know. You are here to lecture me on forgiveness and to try to convince me that our former teammates will never come to forgive me unless I speak to them face to-"

"Actually, that's not what I was going to say at all," Mr. L interrupted. "And we both know that is not the reason you are so distraught."

Dimentio paused, blinking a few times.

Was he really that obvious?! He almost felt like an open book now. He wished he could better mask his emotions. He use to be so good at it. What happened?! Since when was he like this??

"You don't want to let him go," Mr. L continued.

Dimentio didn't know why Mr. L felt the need to verbally point it out as if they both didn't already know.

"... I don't want to let him go," Dimentio admitted. "Why aren't you the same?"

"What do you mean?" Mr. L asked.

"Why do you seem okay with him leaving? Why am I the devastated one?" Dimentio clarified. He was utterly confused by the fact that L seemed so okay with this. So calm about it.

To this, Mr. L sighed, looking forward and shrugging slightly. "Well..." He started. "Because even when he leaves... I won't be alone. I'll still have you."

"But I'm not the same," Dimentio pointed out, shaking his head as he felt a few tears form. Why was he like this?! He tried holding them in, but that only seemed to make things worse. "I... you don't trust me like you trust him. I'm not as kind as him. I'm-"

"You were once. You can be again," Mr. L said, lightly grabbing Dimentio's hand and smiling. Smiling at him the way he used to, before the betrayal. Before he lost his trust.

Dimentio stilled and furrowed his masked eyebrows. "...How do you know that?" He asked. "How could you say that after everything that has happened?"

"Well..." Mr. L started. "Because I've seen it. Even in these few weeks, I've seen you change. And I know you can continue to change. Continue to grow."

"...Not without him," Dimentio breathed.

"Yes. Without him," Mr. L lightly laughed.

"How?!"

"Easy. When he's gone, I'll help you!" Mr. L promised. "And with time... I know I'll learn to trust again."

I'll help you... those words. Those words meant one thing, and one thing only. It meant Dimentio wasn't going to be alone. He wasn't going to go back to what he was.

And you know what? He felt comforted by that. He felt almost at ease, knowing that maybe moving forward things could be different.

After all... when was the last time he truly felt happy? It certainly wasn't while he was alone, planning to get back at the world for all the pain and suffering it had caused him. No, the only times he felt joy were when others helped him feel that way. He needed people. He needed someone else to lean on.

He felt joy when he taught Dio magic. He felt joy when Mr. L looked like a mess waking up late every morning. It was little things like that which made him happy. Not revenge. He didn't need revenge, he needed a friend. He could see that now.

"...Okay." Dimentio breathed, lightly smiling and leaning his head against Mr. L's shoulder.

______

Luigi was patiently watering his indoor plants, the peaceful sun streaming through the window. It had been an uneventful few weeks ever since Dio left, yet he found himself smiling more. He found himself feeling less afraid and more forgiving towards everything. He even started walking outside more, enjoying the sun. He hung out with Daisy more, and overall his mood seemed to almost revert back to what it had once been.

Polterpup most definitely noticed his brighter mood. Luigi played with it more, and in return, Polterpup caused less trouble on its own. Luigi wondered if that was the secret to getting it to behave. Perhaps the dog only caused trouble because it was bored and had nothing else to do.

Luigi had also planted more blue flowers and started decorating his house with more of the color. He still wore green, because that was his color, but he liked the different change of scenery in his happy home. Mario did notice and point it out, but Luigi assured him that it was on purpose and that he was just trying something new.

He was gently brushing his fingers on one of the potted flowers' beautiful blue petals when he heard a familiar chime. Only, when he heard that chime, he didn't immediately think the worst like he would have done a few weeks ago.

No, he knew what this chime meant. It meant that Dio had learned to teleport, and was here to fulfill his promise of saying farewell.

"You're back," Luigi breathed, turning around to see Dio standing a few feet behind him, wearing a bright big smile.

Dio looked exactly the same as before, only he somehow seemed brighter.

"I'm back," Dio smiled.

His eyes briefly flickered to his knife, which was placed upon the windowsill behind Luigi. But it was so brief that Luigi didn't even catch it. Dio was slightly grateful that Luigi kept it. It was powerful, so it was good that it hadn't fallen into the wrong hands.

"So... did you learn what you wanted to?" Luigi asked.

Dio excitedly nodded in response, his expression not only looking grateful but relieved. A traveler, finally ending his journey and going home. "Yes," Dio beamed. "And so much more."

"I'm glad," Luigi smiled.

Dio nodded back, then looked around Luigi at the knife once again. The knife that got him here. The knife that had spit him out into this house set him on track to finally get himself home. The knife that brought him to exactly who he needed to meet. One of the first people to ever care for his well-being.

It was because of Luigi's kindness that he was here today. It was because of Luigi's kindness that he was making it home.

"I suppose I don't need to keep it from you anymore," Luigi said, following Dio's gaze to the knife. "Do you want it back-"

"No." Dio interrupted, answering almost too quickly, but sounding quite sure of himself. He smiled and held up a hand. "I don't need it. You keep it. It can be... something to remember me by."

"... Alright. Kinda weird, but I'll accept it," Luigi shrugged. "It'll be a daily reminder of when you appeared in my home with a bloody knife and nearly gave me a heart attack."

Both lightly laughed at that remark, when Dio suddenly perked up, as if he just remembered something.

"OOH! One more thing before I go!" He requested. "Can I text your girlfriend once more?! We have such pleasant conversations."

To this, Luigi rolled his eyes and took his phone out, tossing it to Dio and crossing his arms. "Sure, but I'm just warning you. I've changed my password, so good luck breaking in-"

"Done!" Dio chimed immediately, snorting as he did. "And for the record, 'password2' isn't much more secure than your old password."

Luigi sighed and lightly hit his forehead with the palm of his hand as Dio beamed and scrolled through his phone contacts until he found 'Daisy

Salutations!

What's up?

What is up? The ceiling, I suppose.

...

Is this that weird guy again?

Why yes, yes it is!

Wink wink wink

Luigi peered over Dio's shoulder, rolling his eyes and lightly laughing. At this point, he wasn't even embarrassed anymore.

Lol, hey then.

Wink wink

Lol, what's the tea?

Oh, I've got plenty of tea to spill.

Dio then paused, briefly putting the phone down and looking at Luigi. "Did I use that phrase correctly?"

"Yes," Luigi laughed. "You used it right."

Dio whispered a small, 'Yes!' and briefly pumped his fist into the air, then looked back down at the phone.

Did you find out how to get home? Luigi told me about ur situation lol

Yes! That I did! I am just here to say farewell!

That's great!

Ngl, Imma miss u tho.

We have the coolest conversations lol

-BTW, srry for tackling u. I thought u were a murderer lol

No, no, do not worry about it! You were just trying to protect your boyfriend!

"DIO!" Luigi exclaimed, trying to snatch the phone back as Dio giggled and held it forward in front of himself so Luigi couldn't quite reach it.

LOL, yup! I like to consider myself the president of the Luigi-Protection squad.

Oh? He has a protection squad? Is it like a club? That sounds fun! Can I join?!

Of course. You can be vice-prez, lol. We meet every other Sunday.

Aww... I'm gonna be off-world, so I don't think I'll be able to make it to the meetings...

Oof. That's rough, man.

Yes...

Well, I best be off. Luigi's face is all red.

...I think he's embarrassed.

Good!

I love embarrassing him.

Lol, have fun back in your own world. I'll miss these little talks.

Me too.

I wish you the best.

Dio then smiled, clicking the phone off and handing it back to Luigi.

The man in green sighed, putting it in his back pocket, then rocking back and forth on his heels. Honestly, what did he expect from handing Dio his phone? He brought this upon himself. "So... do you think you'll ever visit? Y'know... just for fun?" Luigi asked.

Dio paused, then smiled and shook his head no. "I'm sorry," He said. "But my place isn't here."

"Yeah... I thought you'd say that" Luigi replied, looking down, then holding his hand out to Dio. "Well, I guess this is it then, huh?"

Dio shook his hand, beaming at the man in green. "I suppose so..."

The cloaked boy then took his hand back. This really was it. He really was finally going to go home.

All those years of being alone... they finally were going to be worth something.

"Don't stop looking for the good," Dio said, raising his hand to snap his fingers. "I know you can see it. You just have to look."

"I'll do my best," Luigi promised. "Thank you... for helping me see it again."

"Anytime..." Dio smiled. "Anytime."

He then snapped, teleporting himself back to the last people he had to say goodbye to.

______

These were the last ends that needed to be tied. The last people he would see before he could finally go home. Before he could finally, see his brother. Hear his voice. Give him all the stuffed animals he had stolen.

He wondered what Oitnemid would even look like. He never thought about his little brother as an adult, but he'd technically be one by now, right? It was weird to even imagine.

Dio teleported into that ruined home, just a few feet behind Dimentio and L. They both could hear the familiar chime, and they both knew what it meant.

It was time.

"...Need a cloak?" Dio asked.

Dimentio and L both stood up and turned around to see Dio standing there, holding his purple cloak out to Dimentio. He looked almost weird without it on. It almost looked as if he was missing something.

The air was slightly cooler than before, but not deathly cold. It was dusk and there was a light breeze. Nothing too extreme. Dio's black hair gently moved with the wind, brushing over his identical black eyes.

Dimentio frowned slightly, eyeing the cloak in Dio's arms.

Dio's cloak.

He paused, taking a few steps forward towards it. He walked up to Dio, then gently brushed his gloved fingers over the soft fabric which was oh-so-familiar. Truth to be told, he had forgotten that the cloak was the reason he was helping Dio in the first place. He forgot that he made a deal.

It didn't seem so important anymore. Because truth to be told, he didn't see it as his own cloak.

It was truly Dio's cloak.

"...Nah."

Dio frowned slightly and cocked his head to the side.

"Nah?" Dio asked, lightly laughing. "W-what do you mean by that?"

"I mean exactly what I said," Dimentio smiled, pushing the cloak back to Dio. "It's not my cloak. It's yours. Who would I be to take it away from you?"

Dio frowned further. Just a few weeks ago that cloak was the only reason Dimentio was even helping him. Now he wasn't even accepting it?!

"Are you sure?" Dio asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "You've earned it. It's yours for the taking. I'm practically serving it to you on a silver platter."

"And I am sending it back to the chef, who is more deserving of it than I," Dimentio continued, smiling slightly. "Please keep it."

Dio still waited, holding the cloak as if he thought Dimentio was going to change his mind at any moment. So, Dimentio decided to prove his word. He gently took the cloak from Dio's hands, then put it back around Dio, where it belonged. He grabbed the hood and put it over Dio's head just enough to cover him but not enough to hide his face.

When he looked back up at Dio's face, he didn't even see his own anymore. It was like he was looking at someone else. Because that's exactly what he was doing. It wasn't his face he was looking at. It was Dio's. And there was no reason to cover it.

"I..." Dio breathed as if it was all he could manage. He then looked at Dimentio's mismatched eyes. Why did he suddenly feel like a weight had been placed upon him? Why did he suddenly feel sad about leaving? His own eyes were suddenly glassy, looking as if they might shatter.

"Are you alright?" Dimentio asked upon seeing the almost broken look in Dio's eyes.

Dio waited a moment, then silently nodded his head, looking as if he was holding in tears. "Yes, I'm alright. I just," Dio squeaked. "I just want to say thank you. Thanks to you... I can finally get home. I can finally see... see my real brother."

He then took a step back, briefly making eye contact with Mr. L and waving, putting on a small smile. "Farewell, L."

"Farewell, Dio." Mr. L smiled, waving as well. "We'll miss you."

We'll miss you. Missing someone yes, is a sad feeling. But to be missed... that's how one can know someone cares. It was better to be missed than to not be. To be missed shows that an impact was made.

"I'll miss you too," Dio smiled, turning away, before briefly smiling and laughing a small giddy laugh. "Oh my Grambi, i-it's actually happening. I'm actually going to go home!"

Finally going home...

And with that, he snapped his fingers, seeming to just vanish.

And he was gone.

"Ciao... Dio," Dimentio whispered after he was gone. Dimentio continued smiling for about twenty more seconds. Just to be sure he was really gone.

Then... he allowed himself to be weak. He dropped to his knees, allowing his smile to fade. He hugged himself, and for once didn't care about hiding his emotions. He didn't care that L was watching.

He always knew that this would be how the story ended, but it still hurt. Yes, it was a happy ending, but it was bittersweet. He wasn't even jealous anymore. He wasn't crying because Dio got to go home to his family while he didn't. He was crying because Dio was gone. There wasn't a sliver of jealousy towards Dio anymore.

He stayed that way for a few moments when he felt someone sit down next to him and gently wrap their arms around him. He didn't shun Mr. L away as he thought he would. He just leaned in and cried more. "I'm sorry," Dimentio whispered. "I know I shouldn't be upset-"

"It's okay to miss people, you know," Mr. L interrupted. "It's okay to show emotion."

Dimentio briefly sniffled, then nodded into Mr. L's shoulder.

It was okay. Everything was okay. This was Dio's happy ending. It didn't matter that he wasn't in it. This was what Dio had spent his life working towards. And the fact that Dimentio was feeling sad proved that he could at least feel. It showed that he had grown. Before he wouldn't care. Now he did. And yes, it hurt, but he actually preferred this to feeling empty.

"Now what do we do?" Dimentio asked.

Mr. L was slightly taken aback by that. First of all, Dimentio used 'we' instead of 'I.' Second of all, the question implied that he was backing out on his revenge plans. It was as if he was trying to start over. Be better.

"... I don't know," Mr. L admitted. "But we'll figure it out together. Okay?"

"Okay."

_____

Dio had pictured the place in his mind. He knew it well. After all, it had appeared in his dreams nearly every night. He knew exactly where he would teleport to. His top bunk, just above his brothers. He'd teleport there, then softly say, 'hey, are you awake?' Just as Oitnemid used to when they were young. And they'd be reunited and everything would be finally set right once again.

Teleportation only takes an instant. In the blink of an eye, you can go from one place to the next. He couldn't wait to show everyone his new skill. Show them all that he was not so powerless anymore.

He had spent years mentally preparing for the day. The day he always had known would come. The day he finally got home.

Then, he arrived at the exact location he had imagined in his mind, in the exact universe he had come from.

Only...

"Huh?" He muttered, his smile slowly fading and his eyebrows knitting.

His home... it didn't look the same. But he could tell he hadn't messed up. Whenever he messed up, he could feel it within himself. No, he knew he teleported to the right place. So why did it look so different?

It didn't even look like anything at all. It was just... white?

No trees, no houses, no sky. Just plain white for as far as the eye could see. No ruins, no people, nothing.

"This can't be right..." Dio trailed off, frowning slightly. "T-this can't be right..."

He closed his eyes and thought of his home, teleporting once again, only to end up in the same spot. Nothing had changed. There was still just pure white, going on forever and ever.

He did the same thing about five more times. "What...?" He whispered as he continued trying to teleport to the right place, each time ending up in the exact same spot.

"Hello?" He asked, voice much smaller than before. "O-Oitnemid?"

No response. There was nothing but the growing fear. The growing loneliness.

This color of the world had been described to him before. Mr. L had told him once about it once. when Mr. L explained what had happened between himself and Dimentio. He said that he had been in a completely destroyed world that looked remarkably similar to this one.

Did that mean...

No... it couldn't, right?! This had to be the wrong place.