Jevil waited. With each day he slipped more, loneliness eating up at him for who knows how long, when some footsteps were heard outside his cell. Was someone coming to visit?? It couldn't be Dimentio, for he would just teleport inside.

"BOO HOO, BOO HOO, UEE HEE HEE. SO LONELY, SO LONELY I BE...."

A new music was playing. Is this my theme?? It's kinda dark. I was honestly hoping for cooler, Jevil thought to himself.

He could sense who was on the other side of the door. Why, it was a group of three young ones. The game's 'chosen ones.' The Lightners.

"BUT LO, THREE VISITORS STANDING INSIDE? WHO ARE YOU FEW?"

A small, nice voice chimed, "Nice to meet you! I'm Ralsei, this is Kris, and...-" "So, what the heck are you doing in there?" Interrupted a deeper, meaner voice.

"I AM INNOCENT, INNOCENT! I JUST WANTED TO PLAY A GAME, GAME!"

The people on the other side of the door glanced at each other before Jevil continued.

"BUT THE BORING KINGS FOUND SUCH FUN TO BE A TROUBLE. AS PUNISHMENT, THEY CRAVED TO IMPRISON MY BODY. BUT I'M FAST, FAST, CLEVER, CLEVER. THEY LOST THE CHASE AND LOCKED UP THEIR ENTIRE RACE, BUILDING A PRISON AROUND THE WHOLE WORLD. NOW I'M THE ONLY FREE ONE."

"Huh, free? But you're clearly the one behind bars...." Ralsei said. Jevil smiled at the response.

"THINGS DON'T SEEM SUCH FROM HERE, LIGHTNERS."

The deeper, meaner voice spoke out, with a hint of sarcasm. "Well, sounds like you don't need any help then."

Jevil's eyes went wide from the other side of the door. No, they couldn't just leave!

"THAT IS UN-SO! I GROW LONELY IN MY LITTLE FREEDOM. SO, SHALL YOU PLAY A GAME WITH ME, ME? I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FREE!"

Jevil knew that the players wouldn't be able to resist such a challenge. The quiet Lightner, Kris, looked around, before selecting, 'Do not play a game.'

Jevil burst into laughter. They had already come all this way. The game had already begun.

"BOO HOO, BOO HOO, UEE HEE HEE! HOW CAN YOU REFUSE WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY PLAYING...? FIND THE KEY, AND I'LL LET YOU BE FREE, FREE! THE KEY IS HIDDEN FROM THE EYES."

The trio gave each other confused glances. Jevil smiled on the other side of the door. This was new. This was exciting.

"THE OLD SHOPKEEPER KNOWS A SECRET."

The trio left, leaving Jevil with his thoughts. Were they really gonna unlock the door, just to play with him? He wouldn't have to be alone anymore! Oh, this was so exciting!

Seam sat in his shop. Waiting for nothing. Just living, when the Lightners returned, asking of a strange prisoner.

"Ehh...? What are you talking about..? A prisoner with an odd manner....?"

Seam's eyes went wide with realization.

"No, you couldn't possibly be talking about HIM...?"

Kris, the Lightner nodded.

Seam shook his head. They wanted to know about Jevil?? But why??

"...I see. After all the trouble I went through to lock him up, you want to release him?"

They nodded.

Seam looked down, thinking of his old friend, and how lonely it must be down there in the dark for all those years.

"Hmm, now that you mention it, it could be troublesome if he was left alone.... Yes, perhaps it's better if you heroes dealt with him now...? After all, it's not as if whatever happens, will matter in the end. Perhaps a little chaos might be fun. So then, take this."

Seam handed them a piece of the key he broke. He always held onto it, knowing that it was the key he used to lock his best friend, his happiness, his everything up.

"If you're so driven, find the other two pieces, and get someone to fix them. I'll even give you a hint. Walk where the stars don't shine. Anyhow, if you succeed, come back here and tell me! Good luck! If you can call this luck......No, it's more like a curse."

Seam's outlook on everything had gotten way darker and sadder ever since Jevil was locked up. There was really no point to his world anymore. And he often thought about what Jevil said, how everything was a game. Complete nonsense, but also not complete nonsense.

"See you again...or not. Ha ha ha ha...."

Once the heroes left, he sat himself down. He looked much older and more worn out. He had no idea why he gave up his key. Maybe it was because he longed for something to happen, but still. He worked so hard and sacrificed so much to put Jevil in there.

Oh well... nothing mattered anyway.

.....

"UEE HEE HEE, THE KEY, THE KEY! A MARVELOUS FUN IS ABOUT TO BREAK FREE!" Jevil sung with delight as the visitors approached his cell, fixed key in hand. "WON'T YOU LET YOURSELF OUTSIDE?"

Kris chose, 'use key.' The door key created a door, which opened. The three heroes walked inside to see Jevil standing on the opposite side of the room. This room was quite strange looking. Like nothing they had ever seen.

"UEE HEE! VISITORS, VISITORS! NOW WE CAN PLAY, PLAY!"

Jevil looked past them at the open door. A large, creepy grin spread across his face. "THEN, AFTER YOU, I CAN PLAY WITH EVERYONE ELSE TOO!'

'So...what are we playing exactly?" Ralsei asked. Jevil waved his hand, putting the heroes at ease.

"OH, IT'S JUST A SIMPLE NUMBERS GAME."

He saw the heroes let their guard down, before his Devilsknife came flying through the air, nearly hitting them. He broke into laughter. But real laughter. Kris has a somewhat shocked look on their face. No one else had audio, why was this guy so special?

The trio jumped back in shock. Jevil continued laughing.

"WHEN YOUR HP DROPS TO 0, YOU LOSE!"

The stronger looking, meaner hero snarled. "So that's the kinda game you wanna play, huh...? Then I gotta warn you..." She swung her ax, "You're dealing with a couple of sharks."

Jevil broke out into more laughter. That REAL laugher. Kris shivered. "UEE HEE HEE, SHARK-TO-SHARK! I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!"

Jevil slammed his foot down on the floor, causing the world to revolve. His theme faded away, and a new one began.

"NOW, NOW, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"

"Am I really doing this?? I must have lost my mind!" Luigi told himself after the D-men escorted him away. He was back above the river, making his way back to Jades' Palace.

He let out a shaky breath. "Uh, Queen Jades?" He asked. She turned to face him. "Ah, you're still here? What is it? You don't want to talk to more prisoners, do you?" Luigi began to fidget his thumbs, rocking back and forth nervously. "...no. I was...kinda..."

"Could you speak up?" Jades asked. Luigi looked down and quietly muttered. "I was maybe wondering if we could give Dimentio a second chance."

Jades leaned forward. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that. And Speak up please. It sounded like you just said something really stupid." Luigi's face turned red. He cleared his throat. "I-I was wondering if you could let Dimentio return to Flipside with me."

Queen Jades' eyes went wide. "What?? You want to release him?? After everything he's done?? Especially to you!!" Luigi stepped forward. "I'm not saying we release him. We juts give him a shot at redemption! He's been trying to escape anyway. If you let me do this you won't have to deal with him anymore!" Queen Jades' towered over him. "While that does sound appealing, you must be out of your mind if you think I'm going to let him go."

Luigi held his ground. He had to convince her. "But, please. I need him. He appears to be the only one who knows about this 'Jevil' guy! And I'm not saying you have to let him go. You have power, don't you. Make it so he has to help me. That way he won't be allowed to pull anything suspicious."

Queen Jades turned around. ".....No. I can't go through with this. There are rules. I can't let one of the most dangerous beings go walking free." "But he won't be. Please. This is our chance to change him, and then you won't have to deal with him anymore, and he can help me! It's a win win win!"

Jades thought for a minute before responding. "....I can make it so he's bound to you until you believe his services are no longer required. When that time comes, you will be able to decide if he is worthy of life, or if he is to be sent back to the Underwhere. Be smart when making that decision." Luigi's eyes went wide, "Oh, Thank you your Majesty! Thank you! You won't regret this!"

Queen Jades sighed, before snapping her fingers. "I already do." Two D-men came rushing in. "Yes, my queen?" They asked. She sighed. "Fetch Dimentio and bring him here." The two D-men exchanged confused glances. "Uhh, are you sure your highness?" Queen Jades turned and glared at them. "Do not question me! Just go get him before I change my mind!" The D-men nodded. "Yes, your Majesty. Right away." They scurried off.

Luigi and the Queen waited awkwardly, when the Two D-men returned, one on either side of Dimentio. Dimentio's wrists were cuffed together. He had a big smile on his face.

"Alright, Dimentio. You are being given a second chance," The queen started. "You will be bound to Luigi until he believes your presence is no longer required. You must do as he wishes. Be good, for if you so much as betray him, he will have the power to send you back here to rot forever. You will be free of him if he deems you worthy."

Dimentio's wrists were undone and he was shoved over to Luigi. Luigi smiled over at Queen Jades. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Luigi will also have power over your Magic. You won't be able to use it unless he says so."

Dimentio's smile faded. "Wait, what?? You can't do that!" Jades smiled. "I can, and I am. You should consider yourself lucky that you're even getting this chance." Dimentio groaned. Luigi smiled. "Well, let's get this show on the road!" He turned around and started walking.

"Wait, won't it be easier if I just teleport us there?" Luigi shook his head. "Nope. We're gonna walk!" Luigi happily walked away. Dimentio looked back at the queen. She was smirking. He groaned and followed after Luigi. "But teleporting is so much easier," He muttered.

He tried snapping his fingers, but it wouldn't work. How fun. He sighed and stumbled to catch up.

Luigi giggled. "Is walking really that bad?" Dimentio glared. "Yes! And for your information, when someone is sitting in a prison cell for all eternity, they don't get to spend much time practicing the art of walking." Luigi giggled even more. "Look at you, stumbling around! You have jelly legs!" Dimentio could feel his face heating. "Well, when one can float, one doesn't really need to use one's legs. It's a waste of time and energy." Luigi smiled. "Well, the it's too bad someONE can't float. Come on, walking is good for you."

When the two got in the boat which floated over the River, Dimentio hesitated. "What's wrong?" Luigi asked. Dimentio smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing. I just never thought I'd be up here on this side of the river without a bunch of D-men chasing me." Luigi's eyes softened and he smiled. He handed a few coins to the guy on the boat and they floated across. "Well, hey. If you're good, then you won't have to go back in there." Dimentio chuckled. "You really think I'm gonna change?" Luigi shrugged. "I'm not sure yet, I hope so, but if you do anything wrong, I can just send you back." Dimentio looked down. "Well, what if you let me free and I go back to my old ways?" Luigi smiled. "Then you'll have to live with the fact that I trusted you and gave you a second chance, and you betrayed me. "Ah ha ha, like I would care." Luigi shrugged again. "I know I'll make the right decision when the time comes."