Pitiful Children

Chapter 1

"Oh come on Thomas, just admit it, you need my help. I can make your life so much easier. Just let me take over as your primary function,and you'll never be stressed or worried again. Why would I work against you? I am a part of you whether you like it or not." Deceit rested his arm around Thomas's shoulders. "I could help you help you friends. Look at them," Deceit turns Thomas to face his friends who suddenly seemed to appear in the mindscape.

"They look fine. And I've already said no to your stupid idea. You taking Patton's place sounds like a bad idea. You only have as much power as I let you. So no. Leave me alone and let me get back to the real world." Deceit pulled Thomas closer to him. "Let me go! What is wrong with you?"

"Let me show you what their hiding. Let me show you what you haven't noticed, like the bad friend you are," before Thomas could protest, Deceit covered his eyes before everything had a yellow tint. And there was Joan and Talyn, same as before, but they weren't smiling and chatting, they were both so upset. Talyn was trying their hardest not to cry, and Joan was sobbing. "You really aren't as good of a friend as you think you are."

Thomas just looked at his friends dumbstruck, how could he be this bad of a friend? Deceit had to be lying to him! But... what if he wasn't? Before he could process anything, Deceit spun him around, as the other four appeared.

Deceit smiled, Thomas's guard was down, he could strike at the others. With his free hand, he summons snakes to surround the exit. Who first? Patton was the most influential, but the Prince was the biggest problem. Perfect for his first victim. Holding out his arm, one of his special boys materialized, eyes glowing red.

The snake slipped in between the rest, avoiding Virgil's gaze. Deceit knew that Virgil would be able to hurt his sweet boys, and he didn't want that. He needed to do this. For Thomas, who was too blind to see the truth behind his lies. "I'm doing this for you Thomas! I only want to save you from yourself."

Roman, poor Roman, tried to stand in between Deceit and his friends. He realized too late that there was a snake on him, it bit him before he could react. He doubled over in pain as Deceit's voice fills his thoughts, "how pitiful. You try so hard, but can never succeed. I can make you stronger, braver, better. With me you'll be the prince you've always wanted to be." Roman felt his resolve crumble and let Deceit's promises take over his mind.

He straightened up, feeling calmer and more confident. He looked at his friends, they were so blind to the truth, but he smiled at them nonetheless. He made his way over to Deceit, a big smile on his face. He felt good. And he was gonna help Thomas fell better. More confident, more proud. All thanks to Deceit.

Deceit smiled, this was working better than he hoped. Thomas had calmed down in his arms, and was more willing to listen. He wasn't on board with him quite yet, but he would be more willing to listen. Patton had to be next. He'd be easy to corrupt, but if let unchecked...He'd have no shot. "See how easy this is? See how much better you feel? My way can do that."

"I-i..." Thomas wasn't sure how to feel about this

Deceit smiles, "I guess I'll have to convince you further," he says as he summons a smaller snake. He sets it free to go after Patton. Virgil tenses up, unsure how best to attack, not knowing who snake-face would go after next. He didn't want to lose anyone else.

The creature wraps itself around Patton who just watches as it bites him. He lets out a small yelp, but instantly feels happier, like all the bad emotion went away, and Deceit seems to whisper in his ear, "See how much better I make things feel. Thomas can be like that all the time is you just step back and let me be the primary function." Patton smiles brightly at Logan and Virgil before heading over to Deceit.

Thomas realizes how much better he feels, but there's still the thought at the back of his head, telling this is wrong, he tries to ignore it, smiling at the sides around him.

Virgil looks at Logan, he has to stop this. If he can get out of here with Logan, maybe they can fix this, together.

"You think I'd forget about you Logan? Haven't I told you that you're my favorite?" Deceit smiled at the logical side. So hard to corrupt, but so easy to keep. He focused his energy and summoned the, hopefully, final snake. He really hoped that Virgil would just fall in line once the others were his.

But no. Virgil decided to be difficult, he pushed in front of Logan summoning Nervous Energy, ready to destroy the snake. But Deceit just smiled, he almost was excited this ended up happening.

The snake lunged at Virgil, who caught it, causing it to disappear. He turns to Logan, about to tell him to run, when the real snake appears on Logan's shoulders, but before Virgil could get more than the word "Logan" out, the snake bit Logan's neck, causing him to fall to his knees, Deceit's words basically shutting him down, "You just want to be listened to, you want to be loved. You just want to be understood. I can help you. I can love you. Just let his happen."

Logan stands and smiles, his mind clearing back up. Deceit was there for him. He would listen to him.

Virgil was panicked. Everyone was gone, except him, he tried to back away from Logan, only to run into Roman. He had to get away from them. He had to get away, to his room. He tried to run, but the others kept trying to block him.

Deceit waves his hand, "Let him try to run, my snakes will get him. We should check on Thomas. We don't want our boy to be without us for too long."

Virgil turns to run as Deceit's snakes chases after him. He manages to destroy some of them, but ultimately has to escape to his room.

Deceit smiles he doesn't need Virgil. He has the other three, and now he can do what he pleases. The other three sides surround Thomas, reassuring him that everything will be better now. And he believes them.

But why wouldn't he? They'd never lie to him. They only want to help him.

Virgil slams his door shut, leaning up against the wood, trying to catch his breath. He had to stop this. But the only other 'person' he could go to may not even be willing to help...

But he had to try.