AN- As I said before, Ubi Soft owns the Rayman series, as well as every character up to this point except Janus. Now, on to…

Chapter 1: The Return

Life… What did it mean for him?

Deep inside the Cave of Bad Dreams lurked a tall, gaunt creature. His once beautiful brown hair had grown ragged over the thousands of years he lived in captivity, and his gray eyes had sunken into his head. He was clothed in a mottled purple cloak with an ivory clasp and carried sword at his waist. But the strangest thing about him was the golden amulet that hung from his neck; how could someone like him have such a piece of beauty?

Janus' torment was all in his mind; he was deprived of the warmth of the outer world, deprived of the power he craved. He longed to enter the world above, longed to rule over it with an iron fist. But most of all he longed to take revenge on the Rai' Muana. Thinking of his conqueror aroused an intense hatred in Janus. He wanted to crush the Rai Muana.

Jano, Guardian of the Cave of Bad Dreams, had prevented him from escaping several times. But he knew that Jano's power was waning, while the evil that spread in the world enriched his.

Today is the time, Janus thought. Today I will return!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jano, Guardian of the Cave of Bad Dreams, was having a hectic day. He had already prevented some Zombie Chickens from escaping, and they got him back by putting itching powder in his top hat. He scratched his bald head, glaring at the innocent looking Chickens in the corner.

"If you three ever try anything like that again," he threatened, "I'll take you to Janus! Then we'll see what he thinks about chickens!"

That threat immediately silenced the Zombie Chickens. In his mind, Jano knew that he couldn't get anywhere near Janus; the creepy creature scared him. Something about his

mocking, gray eyes unnerved Jano.
"Really, Gardian? I didn't know that I frightened you so much."
Jano whiled around quickly at Janus' voice. The creature leaned casually against a column, staring at his captor with contempt. Hundreds of Zombie Chickens had gathered around to watch the conflict.

"Janus!" Jano roared, trying to assert his authority, "You can't come this far into the Cave! Now, return to your chamber!"
Janus slowly walked over to the Guardian and whispered one word. "No."

Janus continued, pleased at the shock on Jano's face. "I'm never returning to that gloomy cell. I'm going out into the world, and there's nothing you can do to stop me, old man."
Jano lifted up his staff. "Back, Janus!" He roared. "I have the power to stop you!"
"Not anymore." Janus laughed, holding his amulet. A bolt of silver lightning suddenly struck the Guardian.
"You are lucky, Guardian." Janus hissed. "I spare your life today." Saying this, he calmly walked out of the Cave of Bad Dreams and into the sunlight.