Chapter 17:Too Late?

Deceit was trying to hold it together. This was his one shot, his final shot to turn everything back to normal, and he wasn't going to mess it up over some man baby that was having a selfish tantrum. Romulus was not only hurting Thomas, hadn't only took the twins away, but he had hurt Virgil and had attempted to take out Patton. With all the focus and energy he had left, Deceit flared out his fingers and created a swarm of snakes that were just as big as the one that was making sure he didn't fall over. Sending them all toward Romulus. Some he made bigger than the rest. He had to pin the Creative side down. Had to get that last cuff link. The more snakes he created the faster the scales on the half of his body began to spread faster.

"Is that all you got, you two faced freak!" Romulus taunted. Moving his way through the swarm of serpents. Chopping off heads, cutting them in half, even conjuring extra weapons to impale the creatures with. Edging closer and closer to the Snake side. He was going to chop off the Lying sides tongue. Skin the scales off of him, and then impale his head on stick for all the trouble he was causing.

Every strike Deceit felt. Every snake created, Deceit could feel himself get weaker, but he wasn't going to stop. Fitting the creature with his venom and having them bite at the King whenever he got close. "Freak am I? I'm not the one who glued himself back together!" He hissed out.

"I am one whole!" Romulus gritted out.

And Deceit could practically feel the venom in the Kings vein spread. His heart. He had to get it to his heart faster. "Got to Logan, take this." Deceit ordered the snake that was supporting his weight, summoning and handing it a syringe, backing himself into a corner as the large snake obeyed. Not once stopping as he made snake after snake.

"You're not going to be able to hold me back for long, Deceit. I will have your head. And free Thomas from your influence." Romulus declared.

The many snakes working hard to obey their purpose. Biting, tripping, and coiling themselves around their masters enemy. Sacrificing themselves for him. They had to drive him away. "Damn pests!" The King of Creativity cursed, taking out about hand full that try to hinder his approach to Deceit, who was more or less propped against the wall, intently focus on creating the little creature that were also a part of him, who's deaths he felt no matter how big or small.

(Out in the corridor)

"He's not waking up! Lo, he's not waking up! What do we do?! Lo?!" Patton cried, in a panic and he hugged Virgil tightly, on the floor, his eyes baby blue, as he tried to make it all better.

Logan had helped moved them further from the door to the dungeon that Deceit and Romulus were still in. Were still fighting. "Patton, you must calm down." Logan said, calmly, having had already checked Virgil head wound. "He will wake up." He assured.

"Romulus he...Why would he….? Virgil's not breathing!" Patton couldn't get a clear sentence out, getting to hysterical, so just blurted the most important thing on his mind.

Logan cleared his throat, reminding himself to stay calm, since Patton was panicked enough for the both of them. "Patton, if you would loosen your arms, I am a hundred percent positive, Virgil will start back breathing." He stated, noting how tight the Moral Side was clinging to the unconscious emo.

Sniffling, Patton did as Logan instructed and Virgil took in a deep inhale of air, however he did not wake up. "Oh…." Patton breathe, stroking Virgil's hair in comfort.

"He should be fine with rest." Logan said, fixing his glasses, noting that Virgil would probably awaken soon now that Patton wasn't constricting his breathing. Off to the side his attention turned to the large snake slithering from the wall. "Fascinating." He mumbled when it lifted itself to his height, deposition the syringe in its mouth to the Logical Side. The large snake then open its mouth wide presenting its fangs. It took Logan only a few moment to deduce what was being asked of him. "Hmm, I didn't know Deceit could create creatures, I am going to have to have a long chat with Deceit after this. His abilities are quite fascinating." He murmured, as he started in on his task.

(Dungeon)

Romulus was slowing, which was good. What wasn't good, was that Deceit couldn't move. He was so tired. He hurt everywhere. The snakes that were being killed were not as long as the one he had sent to Logan, but they were still big, and he felt it each and every time Romulus killed one. The creatures were performing their best in trying restrain Romulus weighing down his arms, legs and torso. It was taking everything in Deceit to create his snakes with venom, for the bigger and detailed the snake the more it tired him. He was going to sleep for week after this. He shook his head slightly to focus, had to stay in character, had to play his part. Had to act like everything was fine. Because things were definitely fine. He was Deceit. This was his job. Forcing himself to keep himself appearing unfazed, only using the wall as support by leaning against it is a casual manner. Nothing was affecting him. He couldn't let Romulus know how tired he was.

"Moving a little slow there you Highness," He snarked putting on his best sneer. "Are my little pets too much for such a useless Side like you?" He asked. Glancing slightly at his hand where his scales were already covering, even on the side that was more human. "I must say I am feeling as energized as ever."

"Come fight me like a man, and we will see if you say that once I tear you apart." Romulus threatened.

"Me? Lower myself to such tactics. The nerve of such a suggestion." Deceit gasped, making himself sound offended. He wasn't a fighter anyway. "Its much more fun see others do all the hard labor." He said in a dismissive tone. No way was he going to pit himself in a fair fight with Romulus, he would make it three second and then Thomas and the others would be stuck with a Neutral Creativity. No, he was going to continue to swarm the King with snakes and have them help spread the venom.

"Keep talking snake. It will make ripping that tongue out that much more pleasurable." Romulus growled, although every now and then he would notice the signs of Roman and Remus trying to split.

"I can't wait to wear that crown." Deceit replied, smiling at how much angrier Romulus was getting. Yup, he was going to sleep for a long time after this.

His large snake soon returned the syringe full of the venom he had create it with; his own venom. The large serpent slither giving the needle to Deceit, who place it in one of his pockets. "Make him kneel." He cooed, as he petted its head, ceasing in the making anymore snakes. He could feel the scales all over his body now and Romulus's eyes were getting ever closer to brown, but as long as he could see red and green in them, he still had a chance of getting the twins back. But time was not on his side.

The large snake with its speed, slithered around while the rest of its brethren continued to coil around the King, keeping his focus as he cut them down. With a whip of its tail it hit Romulus behind the knees and the King hit the stone floor hard with a shout of pain. Swinging his staff, movement slower with his arm heavy with the extra weight of the snake coiled there, but the blade still hit home. Burying deep in the side of the snake. The creature let out a pained hiss just as Deceit did, for this snake was the one that he had put a lot of effort into making. He had put a lot of himself in that large snake. The creature withered in pain, before steadying itself and twirling its tail around the weapon and yanking it away from the King, disarming its Masters enemies.

Deceit's hands immediately went to his side where he had felt the weapon dig into the large snake, but refused to show anything else. The large serpent coming back to him and circling him so that he could use it as a perch. "Good boy." He said, as he seated himself on the creature, like one would a chair and crosses his legs. "That wasn't very nice King Romulus. Should I behead you for such a transgression in my new domain?" He teased, although he really wanted to go through with it. If only his Remus and Roman weren't trapped in that body.

The Snake started moving, with Deceit still sitting, its motions fluid and graceful so the Side was not disturbed from his perch.

"You wouldn't dare." Romulus spat, struggling to get up, but the snake left alive were like anchored weights.

Deceit gave his best toothy grin, as he was brought before Romulus, enjoying the view of the King on his knees before him. Ecstatic to see the his eyes were still red and green. "I wouldn't be so sure."

Romulus was furious. The Snake had cheated. Hadn't even broken a sweat trying to fight him. Instead creating a hoard of serpents to attack for him. And now he was being humiliated by being made to kneel before a Darkside. Deceit had changed through the time it took the snakes to finally bring him down. No longer half snake. But full on scales, covering a human for. He glared hatefully into the serpentine eyes, no longer did the human brown eye exist on the creature in front of him. He flinch as Deceit placed both hands on the sides of his face, staring deeply at his eyes. His face coming closer as he examine Romulus's face, and Romulus getting very uncomfortable with the unnatural serpentine eyes boring into him growled and went to head but the snake in the nose.

Deceit moved away in time when Romulus tried for a last attack. Moving instead for the last remaining green cuff link. He had wanted to check first. To ensure himself the right eye still had green in it. That Remus was still there. That all this wasn't for nothing. Because he wouldn't be able to go on if it was all for nothing. That he jeopardized everything for nothing. Like with Virgil he found some resistance, but managed to pull it free from the Kings sleeve, despite the pathetic attempt at useless threats and the struggle he had try to put up. The burst of energy released would have thrown him back if his large pet were not there to brace him, keeping him standing tall. The creature wasn't going to live much longer with the injury Romulus had dealt it, Deceit was mainly the one keeping all the snakes left alive and solid. But he was loosing his grip on them slowly.

However, the removal of the cuff link did nothing. Romulus was still there, and if Deceit was reading the Kings expression right even he himself was surprised that he had not split. "Hah!" he laughed. "You lose." Romulus cheered.

Deceit could see the other three sides inch into the room, no doubt hearing that things had gone silent. However he didn't acknowledge them, for he was too busy thinking. Trying to find where his plan had failed. He couldn't have been too late! His eyes still were red and green! But Romulus was still here, laughing at him. His eyes were burning, for he wanted to cry but refused to show his enemy weakness, He hurt everywhere from the tortuous murder of his snakes; the pieces of himself, that had battle Romulus and yet had met an end with the blade. And he was so tired. So damn tired. Deceit gritted his teeth, as his emotion threaten to explode out of him. And all he wanted was to cuddle with Remus, who would make it all better with his ramblings and ridiculously horrible attempts at gift and adventures. He wanted everything back in balance again!

A primal shout of rage left him as he pulled back his had and slapped Romulus's stupid laughing face. Wanting him st shut up. And h e did it again, when the bastard just kept laughing. And again. And again. "Remus you bastard!" He shouted, over the Kings manic laughter, as he kept hitting him, balling his hands into fists, as the large snake started fading. "You promise!" He shouted, no longer worried about holding everything in. "You promised you'd come back to me!"

Virgil who was leaning heavily on Patton had never seen Deceit so distraught, so broken down before. Had never known the Lying Sides scales could glow and spread, making Deceit look like a Reptilian humanoid from a sci-fi show. It scared him. It made him want to go join him too though, because if Janus was breaking then, that meant Roman wasn't coming back; for real this time.

"You bastard! Give him back!" Deceit demanded.

Patton sat Virgil down, not wanting to leave his precious dark angel but Deceit's emotions were pulling at him. The snake's emotions were painful to see.

Deceit was only vaguely aware when a hand touched his shoulder. But it had to be Patton, for only the Heart seemed to have a calming effect when it come to emotions and slowly the Snake side stopped beating in the Kings laughing face. Bastard acted like he hadn't even felt the hits. "Calm down, Janus." Patton mumbled. And Deceit just stopped and stared. Too late. He was too late.

Romulus used the reprieve to catch his breath. His face hurt, where his veins were yellow hurt, and without the cuff links to keep Roman and Remus in check, his spine slightly hurt, which meant he was almost whole. "I told you. I am whats best for Thomas." He reminded with a winning smile.

No, he had to do something. But what if he did something wrong? Deceit was breathing heavily now as he tried to control himself to put himself back together. He couldn't have failed both twins. Patton was pulling him away from the grinning King who was still on his knees. Deceit refused to let the bastard up. He refused to let go of the snakes anchoring him down. Consequences be damned he was going to get the twins back.

Virgil who was trying to keep it together because Deceit was breaking down for the both of them. Was biting his thumb in thought. The Kings eyes weren't fully brown yet. He could see the red from where Patton had him sitting. But he could barely see any green. Maybe Roman was still there. Was still strong, since Romulus had cared for his side of the imagination.

"Roman!" He called though gritted teeth trying not to get his own hopes up. And flinched when the Kings head turned in his direction. But he would swear the red in the left eye brightened. "If you don't come back. I am burning everything Disney and will never let Thomas live out all his hopes in dreams!" He shouted.

"What!" Romulus screamed, but his voice had doubled, and Virgil could hear…. "How could threaten Disney and Thomas like that Hot Topic?!" Romulus let out pained sound, after the words were spoken. As the red eye flared back to life.

Virgil let his head lean back against the wall. Roman was still in there. His Roman was still there. "You are in so much trouble Princey." He mumbled letting his eyes close, in relief. Especially, when he caught sight of Janus's spark with surprise then determination.

TBC