Chapter 29: Prince Janus

A week Later.

Deceit hummed blissfully as he stretched comfortably on the basking rock he had found on Roman's side of the Imagination. He hadn't seen nor heard from any of the Side beside Remus ever since the Imagination balanced, which wasn't odd. He was used to not seeing the other, except when he got updates from his little spies he had scattered about. And since it seemed that the Prince of Creativity had yet to return to the imagination: probably busy with making video ideas for Thomas, Deceit had decided the he would take advantage of the Creative Sides absences and bask in the full beauty of the whole Imagination. Spending mornings and evenings with Remus and pleasant quiet afternoons on Roman's Side. Life was easier now. It seemed Thomas was doing well, and so it gave Deceit time to just enjoy himself. Not even Roman's creatures were attacking him or trying to run him off anymore. They still stayed away from him, which was fine. Deceit liked admiring both the Creative Sides work from a distance anyway; Better safe than sorry when it came to those two.

A snapping of a twig had the Snake Side on alert just in time to roll out of the way of a net that had apparently been thrown at him. Rolling to his feet, Deceit scoffed annoyed at seeing that it was Roman who had cast the netting that was now encasing his basking rock. The Princely side had a funny look on his face for a split second that Deceit couldn't recognize before it changed to the usual annoyed look he was use to seeing. "Roman, what a pleasure to see you." He greeted smoothly, eyes moving to the Prince then to the net. "Taking lessons from Remus now, are we?" He asked, straightening his rumpled clothes.

Another look crossed Roman's face before once again closing off again. Deceit narrowed his eyes at how quiet the usually dramatic side was being. Was something wrong? Nothing felt wrong. He watched closely as Roman seemed to straighten his stance and cleared his throat. "Dece-...Janus. Would you follow me please." He made a gentleman's gesture toward his castle. Something Deceit knew Roman wouldn't do, unless something was up and while they all seemed to be getting along for now, Deceit knew they were a long ways off before invitations were presented.

The Snake Side took a step back. "Why yes, Roman. I will indeed." Deceit answer with a knowing grin. Living with Remus had its benefits. The Snake Side had learned to develop a six sense when something was being schemed. He liked to make sure that he not be fooled as much as he fooled others. What would Deceit be if he fell for such tricks? "However, I do have plans with Remus, so I should get going. Maybe next time." he said, taking a step back as he talked preparing to sink out for a quick escape.

"Oh no you don't!" Deceit let out a surprised hiss as he was body slammed from behind, from Virgil. He and the Emo Side rolled to the ground, Roman approaching quickly that Deceit made the decision to use the momentum he and Virgil had to kick the Emo into the Princely Side and turned to run.

He wasn't sure why they were attacking him all of a sudden, but he needed to find out, because he couldn't sense nothing wrong?! The Snake Side skidded to a stop when a wall rose up from the ground, blocking his route to Remus's Side.

"Deceit just stop!" Virgil insisted, as he and Roman blocked the Snake Sides, escape route.

"Yes, because I definitely plan on going quietly with whatever this is." He hissed, turning to face the two Sides. "I do remember doing something so horrid that it warranted getting attacked for." He made sure that his voice stayed calm and even.

"Oh, come on Dee, Did you really think we wouldn't figure out that you impersonated me. Virgil asked.

"Did I?" Deceit smiled. He knew they would figure it out eventually. At the least he was expecting a family meeting probably reprimanding him and then forbidding him from impersonating them ever again. Not outright attack him. He never thought the Core Sides would be so bold as to stoop to his and Remus's level. It was all quite unsettling and weird. He dodged Roman as the Prince made a grab at him, probably thought he was distracted talking to Virgil. With Roman not blocking his path anymore Deceit made another attempt at making a run for it, only to be tackled by Virgil again. Deceit hissed threatening as he and Virgil wrestled for leverage. He only noticed minutely that Virgil had not hissed back. In fact the His hold wasn't even that tight. But they had yet to speak their intentions once they had taken him to Roman's castle and Deceit was not in the mood to spend the day in a dungeon.

During his and Virgil's struggle against each other, he Snake Side lost his hat and saw that Roman had picked it up. Which just peeved him off. He told the Prince once already to not touch his shit. What did he have to do to get anyone to listen to him in this mind, whack them across the head until it stuck?! He had somehow worked himself out of Virgil's arms, which left the Emo holding tightly to his legs. He managed to flipped himself onto his back to glare down at Virgil, trying to kick his legs free. Self Preservation his might be, but Virgil was the one that held the fight instinct. "Don't let go! Not now Virgil!" He demanded, his fangs were elongating in his mouth at the sign of threat. It was a matter of self control now not to bite, when Roman stepped over and straddled his upper torso. Not really sitting on him but enough for Deceit to realized his could run. "Now what, your highness?" He hissed, stilling when Roman leaned down slightly and cupped his face with his free hand.

Roman was looking at him with an apologetic and kind smile; Deceit figured he might be seeing things. "Now its time for a daydream." The Prince said, placing a kiss on the Snake Sides forehead.

Deceit felt his eyes flutter a little as he was no longer in the Imagination. But in the Core Sides Common Room, it was a movie night, and everyone was cuddled together in a nest of blankets and pillows. Everything was perfect.

Roman and Virgil both took a moment to catch their breaths. They hadn't counted on Deceit being so difficult to subdue. "Are we sure, Remus isn't going to just come and murder us?" Virgil asked, watching as Roman gently picked the stilled Snake Side in a bridals hold.

"Not really, but I know he can't resist a damsel in distress, just like me." Roman shrugged with a grin.

"Oh yeah? And when exactly are you going to change that stupid code. I am never using, I hope you know."

"Why not?" Roman pouted, as he summoned for a carriage to take them back to his castle.

"I am not a damsel. And will never be." Virgil huffed, getting in first so he could take Deceit from the Creative Side, so Roman could steer the carriage. The Anxious Side took Deceits hat too, so Roman would have both hands free.

"But you are most of the time in distress!" Roman chuckled. Waiting for Virgil to settle Janus's head on his lap.

"I'm Anxiety, its my job!" Virgil grouched, as the carriage started moving.

(Remus's Castle)

The Duke was pacing the corridors of his castle. Janus was suppose to be home hours ago. They were suppose to go deep diving in the new cavern he had created and Janus was going to help him create the creatures that would live in them. A loud knocking sounded at the castle double doors, which was another oddity of the day. No one knocked on his doors just like how Janus was never late. He waved the doors open to find the entry way empty. Intrigued, Remus casually walked out and began investigating.

"Hello~ Ghosty?! Come say Boo!" He called, excitedly looking around. He spotted a paper taped to his door, with Roman's crest on it.

'We know what you have done. And have taken the Snake. Come to my castle before the end of the day.

~The Core Sides'

Remus tilted his head after reading it. Roman never left him invitations before. Usually they would just blow air horns to warn the other that a battle was about to be launch to give the other time to prepare. Why would Roman and the others take Janus? That wasn't his M.O.. And what did he and Janus do anyway? Besides the Imagination thing, but they fixed it, not make it worse. Either way, it seemed his brother wished to try and switch their roles. Morningstar materializing in his hand Remus started skipping his way to his brother's castle, thinking of all the fun ways he was going to make his brother and the others regret touching Janus.

(Roman's Castle)

Deceit was shaken from the daydream, he had been living when something covered his eyes, basically waking up to blackness and with his arms tied to a chair pulled a startled hiss from the Snake Side. Especially, when there seemed to be hands coming from everywhere and voices. He kicked out on instinct and made contact with someone's kneecaps, the force of his kick tipping him over. It took his a minute to realized he never made contact with the floor, meaning he and the chair had been caught.

"Shit, Jan, calm down!"

"Kiddo, kiddo, its okay. I promise!"

"Ow! My knee!"

"I told you all, this was not a good idea." Were the mixed responses. Virgil's and being the closest as his and his seat was being righted.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Deceit hissed, shaking his head slightly trying to loosen his blindfold. "I so love being unable to see."

"Don't worry Jack the Fibber, you'll see soon enough." Roman's voice answered, coming up behind his and tightening the blindfold.

"Yes, that so answers my questions!" Deceit snapped, not in the mood being snatched when he had been minding his own business.

"Its our way of thanking you!" Patton's happy tone interjected.

"Wha-" Deceit found his question getting interrupted by a cookie being shoved in his mouth.

"Snack on that while we get everything else ready, okay Janus." Patton said, and it was painfully obvious that there was a smile on the Morals Sides face.

"Come on, Janus. You had to know we would find out." Virgil's voice said, again causing Deceit to look toward where the voice was coming from.

"Of course I was the one who was the first to notice. Your mistake being, by wearing Virgil old t-shirt during the trip in the imagination. By replacing Virgil you led us through the imagination and I am only guessing but am confident in assuming that you are the one who placed us in the predicaments that we found ourselves in." Logan's voice spoke, while moving from one place to another like he was moving around.

In fact Deceit was starting to notice they were all moving around. He was having a hard time keeping track where they all were. He didn't like it. Virgil seemed to be the only one who stayed close by and for that he was thankful. Chewing on the cookie he was unable to reply and so Roman decided to speak "Logan explained it, when everything had calmed down. And we waited for you and Remus to show up and gloat about your abilities to save us-."

"Us, Princey?" Virgil interjected.

"Fine! To save me and help me with the imagination." Roman conceded.

"So you decided to kidnap me and what go antagonize Remus next as a Thank you?" Deceit asked annoyed.

"No, we put together a surprise." Patton said, quickly not liking being accused of something so terrible. It brought a smile to Deceits face knowing he could still get under their skin. It was just so fun.

"But we are using you as bait to get Remus to come to us." Logan admitted.

Different smells started invading Deceit nose. Delicious smells, that made his mouth water. Although he wasn't going to comment on it. Besides it wasn't like the Core Sides would do anything too horrible. At least not something that would deter Remus.

"Yes, today is the day my brother will conquer my lands, save his damsel and for twenty-four hours will be able to dine and have total control of the dreams and daydreams for that same amount of time." Roman said, with a dramatic flare that died in the end.

"Only twenty-four hours?" Deceit smiled.

"We agreed on this years ago, if either of us were to conquer. Of course we've always ended in a stale mate." Roman huffed.

"And what is my prize?" Deceit asked.

"You'll see when Remus gets here." Virgil said.

"Okay everything is set let's go." Logan announced.

"Just sit tight, kiddo. Remus should be here any second." Patton assured as their footsteps started fading.

Deceit sat there for a moment and tilted his head and wondered if he should try to get his arms free. The binding weren't even tight, he could actually slip out if he wanted to. After another few minutes, Deceit wiggled until his arms slipped free, and crossed his arms, deciding to leave the blindfold on to give Remus something to do. As soon as the Creative Side name popped into his head, Deceit heard the door to the room burst open with a few grunts, and the sound of a body hitting the floor. The sound of a weapon dragging on the floor.

"Damn Roman, you must be losing your touch or something I mean this was almost too easy!" Remus's voice echoed through the room with demonic tone in it.

There was an answering groan, that must have been Roman.

"Now didn't I tell you never to touch my Deedee." Remus asked. There was another grunt and the sound of the morningstar being swung and hitting the floor. "Shit! It took him away." Remus pouted.

Deceit took it that the Imagination saved Roman from the killing blow.

"This means your castle is mine for twenty-four hours!" Remus shouted out. The the room went silent, besides the sound of Remus's boots clicking on the floor as the Duke made his way over to Deceit. "Hey Noodle, you okay?" The demon tone in the Dukes voice immediately left.

"No, I am not. I enjoy not seeing, please take your time as you return my sight." Deceit huffed, refusing to take off the blindfold. He had decided he would left Remus be the one to do that. A smirk spread across his face as he tilted his head upward so that his face was angled toward the Creative Side

There was a deep chuckle from Remus, and a moment later a lick and the tickle of his mustache on Deceits lips, that demanded entry, as the blindfold was ripped away. The Duke pulled away with his tongue running across his extra sharp teeth. "Teassssse." Deceit smiled.

The two looked at the table Deceit seemed to be sitting at, and all the food that was sitting on it. "Is that for us? Wow! Roman's castle is on point!" Remus gushed, ignoring the second chair in favor of draping himself on Deceit available lap. Sticking his finger in the closest pudding to taste. "Mmm, I have those cooks cooking out of my cookbook before I have to give it back to Roman." The Duke giggled, spooning the dessert and presenting it to Deceit.

"So, you had a plan for when you conquered each other?" Deceit asked, taking the offered spoon.

Remus nodded. "Yup, although this is the first time one of us has managed. Basically I get 24 hours without Roman patrolling around, I get to control his castle, the dream and tonight Thomas gets one of my masterful nightmares I've been saving! No, sparkles and rainbows tonight!" Remus cackled. "I finally beat him at something!" He celebrated, practically dumping the bottle of wine he had grabbed.

"And me?" Deceit asked, taking a napkin to wipe up the mess, only for Remus to stop him, by snatching the cloth from his hand and tossing it on the floor.

"Roman's servants will get it." Remus smiled. "You, My Danger Noodle will rule with me and we will influence Thomas for twenty-four hours! We'll show him what true creative power really is!" The Duke sang, letting out his most evil of laughs.

"With no trouble from the others?" Deceit asked, with a smirk.

"Not here." Remus grinned, his upper body up on the table as he ripped through the chicken that was on it.

"Sounds boring." Deceit hummed. "So twenty-four hours to enjoy your victory, with your damsel that was clearly in distress. What horrors shall we create?" He got up and began making himself a plate before Remus ate the table, finding his hat sitting at the corner of the table. He promptly placed it back on his head.

"Oh I have so many plans. First we are going to redecorate! Start thinking about decor Snakey, we are going to make your dream castle!" Remus said, snapping his fingers.

Deceit looked down to find himself in a princes wear, keeping to his aesthetic and general favorite color scheme. He then looked back to Remus who was making suggestive eyebrows at him. "My, my a ruler could get use to this. How about we make your brother really regret snatching me?" Deceit grinned. Its been awhile since he had the opportunity to really let loose and meet Remus on a more chaotic level.

(Back in the Cores Sides Common Room)

Roman laid on the couch with his head pillowed by Virgil who was holding an ice pack to his head. Logan and Patton sitting close by, although busy trying to help Thomas has much as possible with one Creativity running things for the day. Along with his Deceitful Side spiking at full force with lies at the ready and plans ready with manipulations for the day. Roman was holding a mirror, that resemble that of the Beauty and the Beast, watching his brother and Deceit changing his castle and running around it like they owned it. He beautiful decor was gone replace by darker tones with green and yellow accents. Remus had already informed Remy of the dream situation with the Sleep Function laughing his ass off at the end and taking the nightmare presented, like any normal day. And the daydreams that were bouncing around… They had to put cotton in Patton's ears.

"Stop pouting Princey, this was your idea." Virgil said, seeing the Creative Side poke out his bottom lip seeing the many changes the two were causing in the imagination.

"I know, but I at least thought they would ease into it." Roman pouted. "I mean, they changed my beautiful garden into a nothing but thorns and haunted carnivorous trees!"

"At least Jan liked your unicorn enough to leave it alone." Patton comforted, with a bright smile.

"Yes. Plus once twenty-four hours are up you said, things will change back to the way they were." Logan reminded.

"Your lucky the Imagination separates you two before a killing blow can be given." Virgil reprimanded.

"I didn't think he'd go all out. I wasn't even trying and he just -"

"Grand slam hit you with the morningstar like you were a baseball, in the last ending. Seriously, you flew through the wall. You said he wouldn't try to murder us." Virgil snapped.

"I said, probably. I never said he wouldn't." Roman defended.

"Well, in any case we owe them both." Logan said, interrupting the Sides.

"And we owe them several movie nights and family nights. Especially, Janus. I feel bad excluding the kiddo. I'm going to give so many cuddles and cookies and-" Patton listed off.

"That sound good Pat, but maybe don't move too fast." Virgil cautioned.

"Yes, it will be an adjustment for all of us. We must pace ourselves from here on and make Remus and Janus feel welcomed comfortable with us." Logan agreed.

"Well that is refreshing to hear." Deceits voice said, causing the four sides to jump. The Snake Side was still in the prince attire Remus had made for him and smiled at the other Sides. He had a little two head snake curled around his arms and petting it lovingly.

"Janus? What are you doing here?" Roman asked, sitting up hand keeping the ice pack on his head.

"So, I'm still not welcomed up here?" The Snake Side asked, with tilt of his head.

"No. I mean yes. I mean-" Virgil tried to answer.

"Yes you are welcomed." Logan answered, saving Virgil's jumpy answers.

"We just thought you'd be with Remus in the Imagination." Patton said, with a confused smile.

"Mhmm, yes about that. We wanted to invite you all to come and see first hand the changes we have already constructed. Remus is just dying to show it off." Deceit smiled.

"Your inviting us to come and play with you?" Virgil asked.

"Why yes. Is that not what you wanted?" Deceit asked.

Roman was the first one up, pulling Virgil with him. "Of course it is!"

"You recovered quickly." the Anxious Side grouched.

"Oh, yeah. I was faking the last two hours." Roman admitted, blushing, as the Emo gaped at him in disbelief. "It felt nice having your fingers combing through my hair."

"Let's go Lo! I wanna see too!" Patton smiled, bouncing up with Logan following at a more mellower pace.

Deceit seemed to glow at the other willingness to join Remus and himself. He knew they were all being sincere too. Things were finally going to right here.

TBC

Epilogue:

(Months Later)

It was a nice day in the Imagination on the Dark Side and Remus had been full of inspiration for the last few days. While Roman had been playing Treasure Hunter for the week. Claiming the Imagination had a hidden gems within its landscape. Everything was peaceful. Thomas was function normally, and that was all Janus could ask for. He and Remus were still mostly secluded in the Dark Side of the Imagination but it was by their choice now. They had been offered a place with the others, to move their rooms, but why ruin something that was already perfect. To be head and accepted was all they ever wanted. Today was the Anniversary of the day that Remus met Janus. Or the Day Remus came to be. But Remus had dubbed it the day he knew Janus was his. Janus was just happy to be with the Duke, no matter the day. To celebrate they had decided on a picnic in one of the newer swamps.

The Duke had picked a nice spot where they would have a nice view of the acid filled swamp. Fanning the picnic blanket out on the dead grass and laid out the food they had made together. A large assortment of their favorites. Janus sipped on his glass of wine as the Creative Side began showing off. Introducing the newest creation to the Snake Side. Some had not been named yet, so they would choose one together. It was such a marvelous time. They were laughing at the sight of one of the creation exploding when it drank from the swampy water when their fun was interrupted.

"Remus!" Roman's voice called, pulling their attention. The Princely side was covered in dirt, shovel in hand.

Janus and Remus both broke off from the laughter, to turn to the Princely Side, Remus standing up, while Janus stay lounged back on the picnic blanket.

"You have got to see what I found! Right in the middle of the Imagination!" The Princely Side cheered, beckoning for his brother to follow him, excitedly. Grabbing the Dukes hand when he got close enough.

"I'll be right back Double Dee! If you kill something save the juicy bits for me!" Remus called over his shoulder, following his brother willingly intrigued on what could have prompted the Prince of Creativity to come for the Duke.

Janus waved after him, with a big content smile on his face. Both he and Remus knew that nothing would attack the Snake Side. Nothing lethal anyway. He chuckled as he watched the twin run off together, toward the border of the Imagination that split their lands. He quietly sipped his wine and marveled at the way the dim lightening of the Dark Side of the Imagination glimmered on the acidic waters in the swamp. It could rival one of Roman's most beautiful and crystal blue lakes on the other side of the Imagination like this. Beautiful but deadly.

The Snake Side jumped, dropping his glass of wine, as a flash of green and red exploded throughout the Imagination. Seeing the lights come from the direction of the border Deceit wasted no time, and was immediately running. He couldn't tell if the flash is what sparked the instinct that something bad had happened, or if it was just his general worry for Remus. Or for both Creative Sides, but he was not going to just sit around and wait. Manny thoughts ran through is head as to what could have caused the flash. Maybe Roman and Remus were fighting over the treasure in the Imagination; he secretly hoped so, that way he was running like mad man for no reason.

Sliding to a stop Deceit felt his eyes widen, as he quickly hid behind one of the blackened dead trees that littered the dark forest. The Light Sides were already there just as surprised as he felt of the moment. Staring with wide eyes Deceit couldn't believe what he was looking at as a rock settle in his gut and tears pin-pricked his eyes. Standing where he suspected Remus and Roman once stood, stood the King of Creativity with a triumphant smile on his face.

The End

A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed the story. This one is probably like a bunch of short stories mushed together, lol. Still I hoped it was enjoyable to read. Don't forget to LIKE/KUDOS, FAVORITE/BOOKMARK, and/or REVIEW!

Until my next story Happy reader fellow Fanders!