Warning! This chapter is rated M for swearing.

Sorry for the delay. I had major writer's block, plus some spiritual stuff came up, too.

So, this chapter wasn't an easy to write, but I was determined to finish it.

With that said, let's continue the story. :)

As soon as Janus and Helen reached the temple's exterior, the first thing Janus did was cover her eyes. She lifted her paw up to observe the sunlight and the training grounds. After being locked up in the Jedi Temple for a good several weeks, the very notion to step outside the temple overwhelmed her.

Yes, she was home again, and it felt good. It was worth it! What more could she ask for?

Just as Janus was preparing to set out with Helen, Janus caught sight of a familiar face. It was Jock and he wore a dark robe, a dark tunic, dark pants, and tall brown boots. Jock, though he was a Dalmatian, considered himself to be bold and daring, especially since he proved this to Janus by brandishing his red beamed lightsaber with a wood cased hilt. Janus observed her lightsaber, finding the silver cased hilt to be very reliable.

But still, Janus wondered if she could switch cases to make hers a wooden case. Hmm… she would have to ask Master Yuvon about it, to see what he had to say.

"Come on, Janus," Helen tilted to the side, revealing a dirt road, leading straight to the Underworld's Cave. "Let's go," Helen inquired, getting Janus' attention.

Janus looked at the cave in wonder. The cave was enormous, but very foreboding. Janus wondered why she was going through this. She should have an easy task, right? How was she to convince Maximus to rejoin them, when turn became the three-headed dog Cerberus?

"Wait! Helen," Janus grabbed Helen's arm, getting her ferocious attention. Janus whimpered, letting out a little pout, as she exclaimed, "shouldn't we do something else? The last time I encountered Maximus, I put him to sleep. I used Pan's panpipes to do so. I didn't mean it!"

Helen smirked. "Ah! So, you inevitably put Cerberus to sleep, even though you didn't want to. Ha! You are bold for a Dalmatian, but you don't seem villainous to me." She winked at her, leaving Janus confused. "Well," Helen shrugged, playfully, "maybe I was wrong about you. But I still want you to prove yourself. Convince Cerberus to come back to us. That shouldn't be too hard, should it?"

Janus eyed her quizzically. Her very blood boiled in her veins. She tried to reconcile what she had done to Cerberus. Should she consider bringing Cerberus back as Maximus, as his old self? She winked back to herself and herself alone. She could do this! Surely, she could! It was just a matter of how she was to do this that would prove vital to her mission.

Janus looked up at Jock, as Janus waved him over. Jock smiled, joining her and Helen, much to Helen's disdain. Helen wiped her face down with her scaly lizard-like hands. Surely, she didn't want Jock to be here now, did she? Who was to say what would happen here? She was beside herself with terror.

"Jock, what are you doing here?" Janus asked Jock, curiously.

Jock pointed at her with much cowardice. "I was waiting for you to show up!" Jock placed his paws on his hips, observing her now and her brown robed attire. He smirked, admitting to her, "Ah! I see you're wearing right nice clothes. You look perfect for a Jedi… wait! what was it now? Apprentice? Ah yes, you're still an Apprentice, working her way up to Padawan learner, am I right Janus?"

Helen nodded, joining in the conversation. "She is and she's with me."

Jock stared at her in anguish. He didn't like her. That much was obvious to him. "Tell me your name again, missy."

Helen groaned with anticipation. "It's Helen. Helen the Shapeshifter, the one whose mother died, thanks to Cerberus. But," she eyed Janus suspiciously, but courteously, "this little one is convincing me that maybe it isn't her fault. Although, I'm still suspicious she could be responsible for bringing Death to the First World. Hell, I am suspicious of her."

Jock nodded, anticipating her next move. "Well then, all's well that ends well, doesn't it, Miss Helen? Ha! You seem like the sort of dragonoid who would do anything to get herself into some mischief! Am I right?" He winked at Helen, appeasing himself. Helen snarled in disgust.

It was clear Helen was not fond of Jock as he was of her.

Jock licked his mouth, debating on what to do next. "Right then. Shall we head for Cerberus' cave? It's this way, isn't it?"

Janus shook her head in disbelief. She asked Jock, "How—How do you know that?"

Jock pointed out Helen as he walked, telling them both, "Helen's thoughts aren't hard to read. Come now, ladies! It's time to play catch up with our old friend, Cerberus."

Helen snarled. She grabbed Janus by her sleeve, informing the poor Dalmatian, "I don't trust him."

"Why? I'm sure he means nothing wrong," Janus stated, perplexed to even have this conversation.

Helen sneered. She informed her, "Do you know who he is? Who he really is? This could be a trap!"

"Hey!" Jock cried out to them. "Come on. Cerberus' cave isn't too far away from here!"

Helen tensed up. "He's getting us all into trouble. I know he is, Janus. Why do you follow him everywhere? He's up to no good."

Janus snarled this time, appalled by what Helen was saying. "I think you have it wrong. Excuse me," Janus jerked her sleeve away from Helen. Janus proceeded to follow Jock, straight for the massive cave they saw.

Helen was reluctant to follow them, but follow she did, knowing they were in danger.

~o~

The interior of this particular cave had glowing bluish-green slime climbing off the walls and into the ceiling. Various lights danced around the trio, leaving Janus smiling while Helen and Jock stared at Janus in confusion. Neither wanted to be in this cave, but it was Janus who pressed forward.

And there he was, over by two iron gate doors: it was Cerberus, the three-headed dog, and he was sleeping.

"Be careful," Helen said, whispering to the poor Dalmatian.

Jock tensed up. He started heading towards Janus, when Helen blocked his path. "Please, let me go. I have to speak with Janus."

Helen hissed softly at him. "Shh! Quiet! This is Janus' battle. We cannot help her."

Jock snarled lowly at her. "You're not going to like this. Jedi. You're all the same!"

"Shh! Quiet! Now," Helen hissed at Jock, warning him, "or I'll put you back outside, while we wait for Janus to finish her trial."

Jock snarled again, telling her, "Why must it always be this way with Jedi? Fine. I'll wait for her outside the cave."

Helen shook her head, following him outside the cave. "Then I'm coming with you."

Jock shyly stared at her. "If that is your wish. Come now. The Jedi placed you in Janus' care."

Helen shook her head. "This is still Janus' battle. She must face this on her own. So, let's go now, before she sees us." Helen departed out of the cave, taking Jock with him.

Janus was left alone to fend off Cerberus by herself. This was not what she had in mind.

.

Janus sniffed the air. She raised her head up, alert that something was off in here. Helen and Jock… where were they? Where… oh, there they were, departing the cave!

No. Wait. Departing the cave?

Janus snarled. Great. Her two new friends ditched her. She should have known this would happen! She just—didn't think things through.

"Eh… guys, what's going on here? Hello?" Janus asked a little louder.

It was too late. She roused Cerberus.

Cerberus sniffed the air. His eyes scanned the area, knowing there were intruders. He raised his three heads up, revealing his timid, but dangerous expression to Janus. He wanted to attack her. If only she had thought of not coming to him again.

Now, she would regret it!

"Eh… hello Cerberus. I—" Too late. Janus ducked, right as Cerberus snapped his jaws at her. Janus blocked the attack, brandishing her new green-beamed lightsaber. She moved the green beamed blade over to Cerberus, attacking one of his whiskers.

Cerberus whined, only to grow madder. Janus gulped. It was helpless. Her energy was depleting. Cerberus howled a little in a soothing voice, putting Janus to sleep. Cerberus laughed. He had her now in his grasp!

.

Janus awoke in an iron cage, just her size. The dog bed she was sleeping on was so comfortable and cozy, with a hint of red fabric to withstand the grim darkness of the cave.

Janus looked up, stunned to see she was still in the cave entrance, where Cerberus guarded the gateway to the Underworld. Janus looked at the lock, knowing she was trapped.

And her lightsaber… was a few feet away from her, hanging on a pedestal for her eyes to see. The lightsaber was turned off, but the pointy-eared dog responsible for putting her inside her cave had transformed back into this form, after being in his three-headed dog form for too long.

It was Maximus, not Cerberus, and he looked like he wanted revenge upon her.

Oh no! Janus shook the cage bars, only to find they stung her paws.

"Yeah, no. You won't be getting out that way, unless I tell you to. Looking for this key!" Maximus told her, brandishing an iron key. Janus snarled, barking at him in horror. Maximus laughed, beside himself with triumph, "Ha! Yes, I finally bested you!" He whimpered, toying with her, "Oh, what? You thought you could escape. Your friends ditched you under my command. When this spell is broken, it'll be too late to save you."

He chuckled, approaching her cage and sliding it towards the river. "Do you know what the Well of Souls does?" Janus shook her head, allowing Maximus to continue, "It's where you'll wind up at, once I'm through with you. To think: you'll be a lost soul, no more different than the fate that's been bestowed upon me." He smirked, wickedly, "I'm guessing God didn't tell you this."

Janus huffed, looking around for God, but not hearing His voice, "Where is He? Where is… where is God?"

Maximus laughed some more, triumphant over this newfound victory. "He didn't tell you where He was, or where you are? Ha!" He shook his head. "I should mention that, down here, you're in Hades' dominion, and Hades and God are best buddies! Looks like there are a few things God forgot to mention, to tell you about Himself. But then, you should have seen this one coming." He slid the cage some more, leaving Janus whimpering.

Maximus laughed again, instructing her, "Do you have any last words to say, before I throw you over?"

"Wait!" Janus cried, stopping Maximus. "I know you said God and Hades are best buddies, but what about your relationship with God? Has that changed? You seem, freer than you have been."

Maximus shrugged, shaking his head in vain. "Do you call an eternity in Hades' care freedom? Hmm? I thought not." He pushed the cage back towards him, leaving Janus sighing in relief. He placed his furry arms up on top of the cage, enthralled by her now. "And what more do you know about this situation? At the end of the day, you're no better than me. Your pride certainly has something to say for it, too."

Janus shrugged, blinded by these thoughts, "How so?"

"How so? What do you mean, 'how so'? You've behaved like you've been better than me! But at the end of the day, we're the same: loathsome dogs who deserve to be in Hades' care. You've treated me horribly, just by your thoughts alone." He shook his head, angry at her, "Oh, don't give me that puppy dog expression. You're just as horrible as me, and you don't even like me. You deserve to be in that Well of Souls, after the things you've done."

He nodded, still mad at her and seeking vengeance against her. He shook the cage's ceiling a bit, shaking Janus to the core, enough to intimidate her to fight back. "You cut one of my whiskers off, and now I'm asking to cut one of your own whiskers off as payment! Give me one good reason why I should go back to the temple with you."

Janus looked at Maximus in horror. This was not what she wanted at all! "What? How do you know that?"

Maximus pointed to the cave entrance. "Your newfound friends are talking. It would seem you moved on from me, haven't you?" He snarled at her, shaking his head. "I don't deserve to go back. There's no place for me up there on the surface. This is my home now, no thanks to you." He moved away from her cage, approaching a wine glass and pouring some red wine in it. "You must think you're so smart, but you're no better than me. And now, everyone knows it!" He drank a small sip of wine, telling her, "I see you've carried on without me. Why do you want me back? At the temple? I'm no good to you there."

Janus hesitated. Maximus was dangerous. He could attack her on sight! And yet, Janus found it inside herself to forgive him, to forgive herself as well. True, she still had more to learn about her pride and how to combat it, but at least, she could do something about it, if she dared.

Janus looked at Maximus, telling him fondly, "Because I want to. God is giving you a second chance. Master Yuvon told me to bring you back to the Jedi Temple. I thought it was to redeem you."

Maximus cackled a little in triumph. Ah! He had her now. "Ha! Back to the Temple, eh? Redemption? That's a load of wallop." He cackled. Quickly, he set his wine glass down, waiting for another word from her. "Tell me: why should I go back with you? Do you like me? Are you fond of me?" Janus sneered. Maximus laughed. He was intrigued by her.

Maximus sighed. "Oh Janus, you still have some learning to do! Did you think about me at all, while you trained at the Temple? Only now, with you becoming a full-fledged Jedi—I'm sorry, a Padawan learner, correct? It would seem you have some things to learn about yourself, and others, before you judge them!"

At that, Maximus slammed his fists on the table, startling Janus. "Ha! All right, we have a deal: I'll help you get over your pride, while you take me back to your Jedi Temple. Do we have a deal?"

Janus sneered at him in disgust. Why was it that everyone else knew something she didn't? She didn't even help him that much. What was going on here? "I don't know."

Maximus sighed. He would have to get through this dog at some point. "Oh, come on. I join you and your party, and we'll be even. Agreed?" This time, Maximus was being sincere, but Janus still didn't trust him.

At least, Janus didn't feel as much pride and contempt around him, but trust was something she would have to learn, wouldn't she?

Janus sighed, shaking his paw, shortly before he released her from her cage.

Maximus winked at her in intrigue, telling her, "All right. Come on. Let's go."

"Right," Janus said, following him outside the cave.

.

As Janus and Maximus walked out of the cave, Hades walked out of the iron gateway, pressed against one of the walls. Hades looked at Maximus in triumph, sneering and laughing at him:

"You'll be back. You're mine now," Hades said in a grim, satisfied voice, simply releasing Maximus either way.

God nodded, appearing behind Hades, "Good. Maximus has joined Janus. Let's see how they get along."

Hades shook his head, enduring to even think God knew what he was doing, "I get him back, don't I? Maximus? I need a good guard dog."

God shook his head, telling him, "When we find the right Cerberus, he may be the perfect fit for you."

Hades pointed out Maximus, who engaged in conversation with Janus and her new companions, "And what? You don't think Maximus would make a good Cerberus? I thought he was the One. My perfect Cerberus guard-dog!" Hades raised his fits in triumph, enjoying the fact that the Cerberus job would not be taken by one dog.

God shook his head again, telling Hades, "Believe me, the name Cerberus is a job, given to the right dog who will become your pet and watchdog of the Underworld. Maximus served his time here. He won't get another chance at this, if he joins Janus for her missions. He'll be free. This was temporary. And I will tell him that much. "

"Oh," Hades grimaced in anger, raging blue flames out of his arms and head, "then get me another guard dog! Now!"

God laughed. "One day soon, you'll get the Cerberus you've been looking for. Now, we have more business to discuss. You coming, Hades?"

Hades shook his head, following God past the iron gates. "All right. But this had better be good."

God laughed, pleased, "In time, Hades. It will."

.

God didn't waste time. Given He could be anywhere at once, and with everyone at once, it was no surprise when God told Maximus the news about his job as Cerberus. It was a job that surprised Maximus, that much was clear. Jock and Helen were more surprised to see the spell on them had worn off, even if they noticed such a spell had been placed on them at all.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Helen inquired, admitting to God, "You're asking us four to work together. What for? I didn't ask for this!" Helen growled in anger and frustration, "I'll have a word with the Jedi Council over this, indeed!"

"Hey!" Jock and Maximus said out of enjoyment, hugging each other with lots of kindness and compassion.

Janus stared at Jock and Maximus with much confusion. She couldn't believe what Maximus went through was temporary. Janus looked at God, while Jock and Maximus played catch up.

Janus faced God, intently, warning Him, "What did you do? What was all this for? You imprison Maximus to become this Cerberus? And then, Maximus locks me inside a cage that could have burned me? What sort of God does this, Lord? Tell me that!"

God sighed. He looked at her, telling her, "Did you learn something, while you were inside that cave?"

Janus gulped. She hadn't thought of that. She lowered her head, admitting to Him, "I shouldn't let my pride get the better of me. It leads to disaster, in the end."

God nodded. "Precisely. Now, let's go." He walked on ahead with her back to the Jedi Temple, knowing then Janus had learned humility.

~o~

Janus returned to the Jedi Temple alone. It was here she met up with Master Yuvon in the training room, ready to see her results.

"Ah! Young Jedi," Master Yuvon stated, as Janus joined him. "I see you have returned without your lightsaber. Here," He brandished Janus' first lightsaber, handing it to her, "You must always keep your lightsaber with you. Maximus managed to find it, but it was God who picked it up for you. Remember: should you lose your lightsaber, just call upon God to restore it to you."

Janus took her lightsaber, bowing before Master Yuvon, as she set her lightsaber back on her utility belt. "I'll try to remember."

Master Yuvon nodded, pleased with her. "Good, good. And now, onto business: I see that Maximus has returned safely. Next to your mess up with your lightsaber, you still have fulfilled the deed the Council set out for you to accomplish. Congratulations, Apprentice. Or should I say, congratulations Padawan. You are now a ranking member of the Jedi Order. Welcome, young Jedi."

Janus smiled, thanking him, "Thank you, Master Yuvon. I had a good time training under you."

Master Yuvon said, bowing before her. "And I you. Now, it's time for you to meet with the Jedi Council. You will find them on the second level, where the Council Chambers lie. Good luck. I will meet you there, when I am ready."

With this said, Janus sighed. She smirked, delighted to have become a new Padawan. Granted, she was worried about Maximus, wondering if he learned some things as well.

Still, Janus was pleased to become a Padawan learner. But what would the Jedi Council say about her new status? Would they be pleased with her? Would they see fit that Janus meet her new Jedi Master or Jedi Knight for further training? Who would this new Master be for her to train under? And what of Maximus? Would he take on the role of Jedi Apprentice, or was he already a Jedi Padawan?

There were so many questions. For now, Janus headed on out of the training room, heading for the Jedi Council Chambers.