Pegasus Manor

Athena had reached the manor and began emptying her vehicle. She carefully held onto the pile of Philosophy books as she shut the car door, pressing a red button on her set of keys to turn the car alarm on. Her right ear ached. According to mortal superstition..that means someone is talking about me.. she mentally noted then balanced the books steadily as she opened Pegasus Manor's door. She breathed out a relieved sigh. It was good to be home after a long morning at college. She closed her eyes as she resumed God-like form.

Her eyes glistened hazel and long strands of curled brunette hair grew, soft as silk to the touch. She swished her head back so her hair flung up to the air then back down again in an orderly fashion. "That is much better.." she said to herself, still carrying her textbooks. She walked down the hallway for her labelled room, looking up at the nameplate. It read Athena and had her symbols of the aegis, distaff and a spear surrounding it. She pushed the door open as it revealed her sanctuary. Completely organised and spotless. Just the way she liked it. She strode over to her bookshelf and placed her Philosophy books upon the highest shelf which would have been a very difficult task in mortal form since she can't have reached it. She laid down on her bed, closing her eyes. Afterwards she had to head to work but a minute or two couldn't hurt right?

Anette spotted Ares' 2009 black jeep in a instant and gave him a half smile when he drove up next to her car, "I called Athena and she told me that she is already at the manor. I tried calling Artemis but her phone went straight to answer machine", she explained to him when he asked that she called some of the others.

She smoothed her hair back and glided her sunglasses onto her head so it could act as a headband, pushing her silken strands out of her face, "I'll follow you back to the manor in my car. I don't trust my car being unattended here", she told Ares as she hopped into her car. She immediately revved up her diesel,"I just hope that our dad isn't too furious", she said as she began to move down the street with Ares in front of her.

She was totally wrong when she hoped that her father wasn't that angry because she knew that he took anger to another level beyond what a mortal could comprehend. Anette followed her brother back to the manor swiftly, not letting his jeep get out of her sight. They finally made it back, 30 minutes, in front of the house. There was a dark cloud hovering over the house making light rain fall down in drizzles.

"He must be here", Anette shouted to Ares as she got out of the car and slammed her door. She walked up to the door and instantly heard voices within inside the house, "Some of the others must be here too", she observed as she turned the door knob and walked in calmly. She left the door open for Ares so he could come in right behind, "Hey, guys. Our father must be here, isn't he?", she asked the others, remaining in her human form.

"Athena! Are you there? I must speak with you now please."
Athena heard Hera yell, her voice echoing through the Manor. Athena opened her eyes at the sudden outburst and hopped off her bed. There was a tone of urgency in that Goddess' voice..that was certain.
Hera wasn't particulary fond of her from what she had noticed.. perhaps as she was the daughter of another woman?
Due to that observation from over the years, this need to speak with her was alarming.
Athena gracefully walked downstairs and stopped a few steps before Hera. They were both in Goddess form.
"Greetings Hera.. may I be of assistance?" Athena asked politely, trying to soothe the Goddess' nerves or at least comfort her somehow.

Hera crossed her arms and looked towards all the other Gods that were inside of the manor."Dining Hall, now I suppose." She turned towards Athena and waved a hand as if telling her that what she was going to say to her before was no longer important."Come, we have much to discuss." She turned on her left foot and walked slowly towards the dining room downstairs. She had barely noticed while she was walking that her favorite peacock had started following her as she walked. She smiled softly down at it and then gave a curt nod of her head as she moved to sit in one of the golden chairs that were around the large dining table.

Her chair was right next to Zeus's with Poseidon's on the other side of her husbands. She lifted her her dress slightly, as to not step on it while she moved to sit down."No where are Dionysus, and Artemis." She tapped a small finger on her chin and narrowed her eyes as she began to stare out of one of the Manor's large white windows.

"I wonder if this shall be the last time I see this place in tact. For surely Cronus will not be pleased one of his own has been killed." She shuddered at the thought of seeing her Titan father again, remembering the sick feeling of being devoured by -.She shook her head and then waved a hand around as if trying to bat away the awful memories.

"All of this was started by a very jealous man with a pretty wife. Typical"

Everything was just going down hill; from the incident that just happened to the outcome that was ready to start. After Ares transformed and went into the dining area, Anette's step-mother came down the steps, in goddess form, serious as can be. About everyone in the whole house was feeling the cloud's, over head, gloom of doom. Thunder shouted over the house making everyone feel even more depressed. Anette shook her head in shame and walked into the dining room were everyone else was loitering around.

She saw Hera motion over Athena so they could start making plans for the war. Anette remembered that she had to talk to Athena urgently but decided to wait until at least the gods had their discussion about Hades' ill-fated actions and consequences that were about to come because of it. Anette sat down in a seat near the dining room table and took off her shades that were on her head.

Contemplation took over her mind as she began to think of a good way to spark a calm conversation between her and her sister. The last thing she wanted Athena to do was freak out and warn her to stay away from Mason immediately. Everybody talked amongst themselves while Anette remained quiet, thinking clearly and precisely.

"Come, we have much to discuss." Hera said to her, turning on her heel walking slowly towards the dining room. Athena, slightly confused followed. It was apparent that something important or at stake had arisen as she entered the room finding herself at the company of other fellow Gods and Goddesses.
Among them were Artemis, Aphrodite...Ares. Athena shot a glare at Ares with strong hatred as he approached her.

She hated her half brother for many reasons.. among them was their differences.
Ares was a violent God, interested in the chaotic side of war: bloodshed, mayhem, panic and strife. Athena was a Goddess who was more reserved and an intellectual whom specialised in the art of war: tactics and strategy. For justice, not for the fun of countless deaths like her half brother.
As they both have focuses on war, there was also a hint of competitiveness between them. Maybe even more so than a 'hint' existed...

"I take it you both know why we're here" he said. Athena raised an eyebrow. "No I have no clue what you are referring to but I wouldn't be surprised if you started a war for the hell of it" she snapped at him before taking a seat at the table. She breathed in and out slowly trying to maintain composure. She despised his presence.

Setting her white box-framed sunglasses down onto the table gently, Anette watched Athena give Ares looks of great disdain. Mostly everyone in the house was giving each other a hard way to go and Anette could since the hostility grow. How were the gods going to function with trying to maintain peace for mankind when instead they were quarreling amongst each other over the pettiest things that were long gone dead in the past.

Anette hated to say the phrase in her mind, because how cheesy it sounded, but "Can we all just get along?". Morphed in their god forms, the gods should be more peaceful-minded and should know how to work together in a time of crisis with little to no complaint. Anette sat back in her chair and smoothed her honey blond hair back calmly. Anette made the decision with Mason, not too long ago, that she was going to remain on neutral terms so to exercise that cause, she remained in her human guise until otherwise.

"I know you two don't get along and heaven forbid I don't get along all the time with everyone, but I think this is a rare time that we all need to set aside our petty differences and do our best to try and....help each other out of this", Hera irritatedly said to Athena and Ares with much contempt for the whole "panic" situation as a majority.

Anette folded her arms and crossed her legs indignantly, "Hera's right; we should all work together, as a main goal, to bring peace and order back to planet earth. Let's set aside our differences and try to quell all things hatred against one another, even if it's for once", she added with much enthusiasm. Anette was tired of her family fighting with each other endlessly and she tried to express that with much discomfort as possible.

"Because if we continue to argue and fight, the Titans are going to feed off that negative energy and use it against us. They will gain more power by it and will become even stronger, overthrowing us with much ease. Then the whole world will immensely perish along with us, defeated gods....Do any of you want that? I certainly do not", Anette finished off seriously, remaining quiet yet again. She set her light lavender eyes onto the window outside and watched with much sorrow as the rain thrashed against the window wildly.

Dionysus let out a small and short laugh as he watched the lovely goddess fly out of her car."Well, when the going gets tough the tough use sneakier methods!" He grinned as he also stepped out from the car, ignoring the flabbergasted look of the driver probably wondering how Dionysus got inside of the vehicle.

He wandered into the Manor, nearly falling back in his human form when a very fast Demeter launched herself towards Persephone."Persephone, what happened?". "Are you alright? Has that devil hurt you?"
. Dionysus turned towards his Aunt and shrugged."You know this would have never had happened if she had just married me. Buuuuuuuuuuut no! She had to go and get taken by the Lord of the Dead. How cruel the world is sometimes. Like I said you could always reconsider and plead to Hera about getting a divorce from the man." Dionysus shot a small smirk towards Persephone and then gave a small wave at his Aunt before going downstairs to follow the others.

"Oh marvelous! Looks like were preparing for war!"He said sarcastically as he walked casually over towards his throne near Aphrodite's."It is rather sad that the only time everyone in this little "Family" gathers together is when someone dies or there's a war!" He said exclaiming in his usual loud and sarcastic way.

Truthfully he disliked most wars. The only time he ever chose to fight was during Prohibition act, but that was more of a man VS THE MAN sort of thing.

Hera raised an eyebrow as she watched her son practically yell until she was sure his voice would run out."Are you done my angry little preteen? Or perhaps would you like us to wait a bit longer while all that frustration? "Hera tilted her head and gave her son a brittle smile before standing up."Do you think I feel calm at the moment? No I don't. I feel like killing everyone single Titan and my Brother for starting this. I however find that keeping your temper during situations like this is the best thing to do. Not act like a child throwing a tantrum and blaming other for things. So do not think to raise your voice towards me...Ares..."

Hera eye's lit up once more and she glanced around the table at her fellow Gods and Goddess's.She watched as Dionysus scurried in and she rolled her eyes."I'm assuming Persephone and Demeter will be with us shortly then." Hera turned her head and glanced at the window, watching as several clouds swirled around in a more fast paced manner then usual.

"We cannot argue during this War. My easily angered son was right about one thing however. The war was never truly over. It won't be unless either side is completely destroyed.."

As she spoke she saw one of her peacocks come out from wherever it was hiding and move towards Hera, flashing it's tropical colored feathers in a excited manner. Hera bent down and stroked the creatures head, a small smile now spreading across her elegant face.

"We need someone to speak with the Fates...."

She turned towards them and then let out a sigh."We need some sort of help and the Fates have always been there for us...well..most of the time.."

Ares then spoke again, putting on the biggest emotional "hissy-fit" he could ever display. Was Ares that highly emotional with how he went about things? Because if so, it wasn't going to help get things done by getting all "upset" over it. The thought made Anette rub her forehead with much annoyance. Anette knew that the war was going on; it just turned for the fucking worse. How long was everyone going to put up with it without driving insane? Ares already flew off his rocker...or he already have and he just unleashed it more with high theatrics. "No use crying over spilled milk", that old saying played in Anette's mind like a broken record.

Anette then saw Demeter embrace Persephone with much tenderness. The lovely little display made Anette's heart feel a little warm inside. Anette couldn't remember the last time she was nurtured and highly cared for by her mother. All vague recollections of her were tossed in the wind when she was immediately enthroned on Mt. Olympus. How sad it was for Anette to leave all thoughts of her mother behind just so she could have a clearer mind on how to be a "successful" god.

While the two continued to embrace, Dionysus came into the dining room and took a seat next to Anette, talking with much stupidity loudness. Anette couldn't help but grimace at Dionysus when he commented on Persephone to Demeter on how he could be a better husband than Hades. Anette shook her head involuntarily and tried not to let everyone else's petty situations faze her. All she wanted to do was listen to her father and go about her "merry" way to help end the war.

Hera then suggested that they should ask the Fates for help. Ares was right about that little factor; how were the Fates going to help when they already held the strings of all of the god's and the Titan's destinies in the palms of their hands. Ares then was highly annoyed of Dionysus' presence and immediately told him to leave. How true the story was for Dionysus. He never really helped with trying to stop the war; all he thought about was plotting to have Persephone for himself. How petty and ignoramus of him.

Anette slouched in her chair involuntarily and waited patiently for Zeus to make his appearance so they could get the conference into motion without further delay. The last place Anette wanted to be was around bitchy attitudes who were worrying and hollering about their own pitiful problems. There were much larger dilemmas in the world to worry about besides themselves! After grueling and antagonizing centuries waned, all of them still have yet to learn that, unfortunately.....

Zeus – Brandon Stone

Pegasus Manor

SILENCE!

On a crack of thunder and a flash of lightning, the Father of the gods appeared in the dining hall dressed in an open, flamboyant orange and red tropical shirt, with a white tank, and brown khakis. Yeah, he was dressed pretty colorful for such a serious time, but perhaps, his fashion would calm everyone down. With a hard frown on his face, he strode to his seat at the head of the table, not sitting, but standing before his chair. His throne wasn’t a dinner seat. He removed his matching, orange-tinted shades and folded the legs before stuffing them within his inner-shirt pocket.

“I can hear your bickering for miles, and it only represents what I tried to prevent. Not only a war amongst the Titans but amongst my own children and siblings,” Brandon explained on a voice that rumbled like an eager storm. He rested his fingers upon the banquet table and closed his eyes briefly as he mused on how he was going to sort this mess. “As most of you know by now, the war has officially begun. The Titan, Coeus, was slain by my brother Hades. I am unaware what might have compelled him to lash out, but knowing my brother and his temper…similar and less annoying than my son’s…” He shot a glance to Ares. “Hades doesn’t get angry so easily, but we will hear his case when he gets here.”

Brandon raised his head as he gazed about the hall at his brethren. “There is no need to argue about this. While I tried to maintain the peace barriers to no avail, the war still happened as The Fates said it would and thus our destiny to fight is inevitable. We have made the first move; all that’s left is for the Titans to make theirs. I don’t want any of you leaving the manor without escort. If you can’t find an escort, then you are not permitted to leave. I don’t care what kind of mortal schedule you had planned: photo shoots, school, sports, dating…it doesn’t matter anymore. Your lives are what matters now and you must live to ensure that the Olympians are triumphant in this war.

I will suggest that my non-combative children also stay in the manor and open your ears for emergencies. If any of the gods are harmed or in need of assistance, you are to seek them out and bring them back safely. I’m not asking you to fight but to rescue your family.”

“Now, I want accountability of all those who shall be taking up arms to fight in this war.” He knew his brother Poseidon would, Ares of course, Athena…but he wasn’t going to personally call out who he thought should have been active participants.

Hades – Dmitri Ruslan

Pegasus Manor

The mafia boss strode into the manor, his polished shoes clapping rhythmically, their sound resonating throughout the foyer as he turned into the archway to his left. He entered the banquet hall, having heard the ending quarrel of his nieces, nephews, and possibly, brothers and sisters. Zeus was laying out a plan of action, and he saw Demeter holding Persephone so protectively. On the inside, it made him grimace greatly, but outwardly, Dmitri wore no scowl. He loathed Demeter almost as much as he loathed everyone else who despised him.

There was no seat for Hades at the table. The manor had been their home, and he hardly cared for their indulgences when he had to run the Realm of the Dead. As he stepped up to the end of the table and gazed down its length at his frustrated brother at the far end, he spread his arms and would have done a fluid twirl on his heels, but thought that his facetiousness might have angered the god more.

“I’m here,” he announced, and he couldn’t resist the masochistic smile that curled upon his lips. Masochistic, amused, and curious to what his brother would have to say. There wasn’t much he could do to him that he wouldn’t enjoy or feel indifferent to. His role bestowed upon him enough suffering and neglect.

Anette couldn't help but have much sympathy for Persephone when she expressed her feelings and emotions about the war. Anette was proud of her for standing up and exercising her rights against the war, "I'm with Persephone; she speaks the truth!", enthusiasm tumbling from Anette's cupid's bow pink lips.

Thunder overhead outside started to rumble even louder and Anette then knew that her father was near. Everyone in the house remained silent as Zeus finally made his presence known. Anette rose an eyebrow when she saw her father dressed in colorful clothes that looked highly comical contrasted to his grave seriousness. She couldn't help but slip a small smile at his apparel, "Oh father...", she thought with little embarrassment, shaking her head slightly.

He began to converse with the gods and goddesses with much vigor and firmness that everyone else didn't have any room to put their own "two cents" into it. Anette was highly moved with what Zeus had to say and nodded with all his citations about the war and what they had to do to keep safe.

When Zeus' main speech came to a close, he demanded that everyone stay in the manor at all times unless they had an escort or bodyguard with them. They had to put all of their mortal works aside and put their immortal lives into action. And lastly, gods and goddesses, who were anti-war, were to protect their family at all costs regardless if they were fighting or not.

Anette was least frustrated by this and knew that she had a duty to fulfill, "Yes father.", she briefly said, obeying his orders and demands wisely. She then noticed uncle Hades come strolling in calmly like nothing fazed him to the least. Anette gave him a small look of distaste and anger before she turned her attention back to Zeus. "Here comes the troublemaker; I wonder what he's going to mess up next?....", Anette thought, loathing his presence because of that true fact.

"I will remain silent in all matters pertaining to the war but I will help out my family when assistance is needed."

Adrik just sat by and absentmindedly looked around while the others quarreled, he listened to them sometimes, but like usual his mind was somewhere else. He felt oddly small in the chair made for a god, his feet didn't even reach the floor. He felt like he should return to his godly state, but he just enjoyed being human, or at least appearing human, unlike the others.
When Zeus came into the room, brightly dressed, Adrik restrained a smile. He understood there was a time to be serious and a time for joking, and this wasn't a time to joke. While Zeus spoke of his plan Adrik twiddled his thumbs, looking in his lap.
"I don’t care what kind of mortal schedule you had planned: photo shoots, school, sports, dating…it doesn’t matter anymore. " Adrik's godly father said, and Adrik's eyes finally met his father's. He opened his mouth as if he was going to talk, but no words could come out. He didn't think about how much the war would take from him, he didn't think that he would have to take human interaction to a stop, but he understood if he didn't help then he wouldn't have any humans to know. Adrik just shut his mouth and went back to looking at the table.
When Hades walked in Persephone found her place at his side. That's how it always was, they were together as long as Hades wasn't off killing someone. They spoke for a moment and Adrik just sat there, awkwardly.
"I'll help, with the fighting" he said, Adrik wasn't very confrontational, but Adrik knew that Apollo was, at least marginally more than Adrik. "I mean, I can shoot some arrows, that would count for something" he said, and gave a smile. the thought of winning didn't even cross his mind.

Dionysus rolled his eyes at Ares and then chuckled when he looked at him and said."Except you, your still just an ass."."I can handle that I suppose. Been called much worse." He flashed a grin and then chuckled when Persephone stuck her tongue out at him."Don't go wagging that little thing my dear little flower, not unless you intend to use it of course!" It was of course a innuendo and he figured either Hades, Demeter, or Persephone herself would yell at him but at the moment he didn't care quite so much.

"Oh! Is this where Uncle Sam comes out and says "WE WANT YOU!". He stood up in his chair and then pointed towards Persephone wagging his eyebrows."Oh well...I might as well jump on the band wagon. I however refuse to wear a UNIFORM! " He flashed another grin towards his fellow Immortals and then sat back down in his chair.

He waved his hand once and on the table appeared a goblet filled with wine. He quickly grabbed it and took a large gulp."I think as a plan...we take Persephone, dress her in rather revealing clothing, give her kegs of wine, and then have her get the Titans drunk. It's a perfect plan! Foolproof of course. What do you say about that little flower hmmm?"

He did enjoy teasing the woman, and he even more so liked teasing the rest of the Gods. Except Hera. She scared the shit out of him.

Zeus & Hades – Brandon Stone & Dmitri Ruslan

Pegasus Manor

As a few of his children announced their roles in the war, the dark figure of a certain god appeared before the table, causing Zeus’s upper lip to twist upward in abhorrence. “Hades,” he hissed. If Persephone hadn’t happily rushed over to wrap her arms about the god, he might have launched across the room to tear him to pieces!

Dmitri smiled softly turning toward his wife as the delicate flower prodded at him in a light scolding. She tried to glower at him, but her soft and pleasant features came off as a pout that sent the mafia boss’s lips, cocking to the side in amusement. Willow didn’t have the face for anger. She was a rose, beautiful yet if not careful, could prick and make one bleed. When she flung her arms around him, Dmitri embraced her about the small of her back, holding her warmly. He whispered back, “And I you.”

Willow then thrust her tongue like a spear toward Dionysus, and Dmitri’s eyes sailed across the room to the party god who was leaping to his feet in his seat and clamoring as loud as a drunk. After taking in his words, he had better been in an intoxicated stupor.

Brandon’s fist came down like a hammer upon the banquet table as he snapped, “Enough!” His feral eyes darted to Dionysus. “If you can’t take this meeting seriously, then GET OUT!” They then flicked to Willow as he demanded, “Persephone; not now. Hades and I have much to discuss as I am sure everyone is wondering why we were pulled into a war.”

The ceiling lamps flickered and Brandon’s face was red with growing aggravation. Dmitri glanced down to Willow and kissed the corner of her lips before ushering her aside to give them space as he needed to converse with The Father of the Gods. He slipped his right hand into his pants pocket as his left lolled at his side. Tilting his head to the side, he asked, “What does my little brother desire?”

There was a flash as the lamps throughout the banquet room lit so brightly the entire room had become white. Dmitri, even with his sunglasses on, squint his eyes from the glare until his head snapped to the side. Brandon’s fist had collided with his jaw, the force making the mafia boss’s sunglasses nearly fly off his face as its legs still stubbornly clung to his ears. The god’s fist met his face with a clap of thunder that sent Dmitri flying across the room. His back slammed into the far wall as it cracked upon his impact and his teeth clinched into a grin as a dribble of mortal blood spilled free from the corner of his lip.

Brandon’s strength had not weakened over the years as he marched across the room toward Dmitri and grasped him by the lapels of his suit, easily lifting the mafia boss until he was two feet above him. His knuckles were beneath his chin, forcing Dmitri to raise it slightly upwards as his hazel eyes stared down at the god with eyes gleaming with excitement.

“You wonder what started the war,” Dmitri began with a chuckle. “Your temper is hardly unlike my own and Ares.”

Brandon’s eyelids suddenly softened as his muscles grew weak and almost numb. His strength was leaving him as he lowered Dmitri and slowly lowered to his knees. Dmitri now stood before the kneeling god, running his hands over his suit and frowning at the wrinkles left by his brother’s herculean grip. His eyes lowered to the businessman as he wiped the blood from his chin with the back of his hand.

“The Titan interrupted the lunch between I and my wife. The war started when the enemy strode into the restaurant and not only attempted to lull her away from me with words. He mesmerized one of the mortals, forcing me to kill him.”

Brandon clinched his eyes tightly as he continued to feel the drain on his body. It felt as though every pain receptor in his flesh were screaming. “You killed a mortal?”

Dmitri sneered. “I had to do what had to be done. I have killed many mortals and so has Ares, all of which you wished for us rid you of. The mortal was mesmerized to kill every single being within the restaurant if I was to lay a hand on the Titan. It was either Coeus or my wife.” His dark brows then furrowed with malice. “And Persephone is mine!”

Dmitri swung his right leg and the bridge of his foot smashed against Brandon’s face, knocking the god backwards as he slid across the floor upon his back and stopped half way before reaching the table. The mafia boss strode toward his downed form as Brandon was rising to his knees, narrowing his eyes as he felt his energy rushing back to him now that he was no longer near Hades.

Dmitri looped his arm about Brandon’s neck and locked it. Brandon felt his jugular being squeezed within the crook of Hades’s arm. As his arm curled, the muscles of his bicep and forearm slowly crushed Brandon’s throat like steel nutcrackers. The brothers were locked in a wrestling match. To the other gods, seeing their father and uncle rough house might have seemed like a serious brawl, but none had the intention to take the life of the other as they relished more the other submitting or losing over all.

Brandon’s eyes watered and his left hand grasped Dmitri’s elbow as he tried to pry his arm free but his full strength had yet to return. He made a motion to elbow Dmitri in the stomach with his right elbow, but Dmitri had caught the elbow in his palm and spoke sympathetically, “Looks like your mortal skin lacks the abilities to defend himself. How about you let me take my wife and continue your little meeting, My Dear Brother.”

The god was growing tired of the few gods within the room not taking the conference seriously. His brown eyes faded into white as lightning began to leap from them, popping at the air. His left hand moved from Dmitri’s elbow to slide back the mafia boss’s sleeve as flesh made contact with flesh. At that moment, Dmitri’s brows lifted in dread as he felt his spirit sink within his chest. Brandon flashed a triumphant grin over his shoulder as lightning then flooded Dmitri’s body. The mafia boss lit up like a Christmas tree, and a tortured scream rang throughout the banquet hall.

When he felt his brother had had enough, Brandon removed his hand from Dmitri’s wrist as his arm slid free of Brandon’s neck. His body fumed with burnt smoke. His sunglasses had melted off his face, his suit singed, and hair gave off a roasted odor. The mafia boss staggered backwards and collapsed upon his side as he gazed across the floor, his body still trembling from the remaining volts that passed through it. He refused to admit that he had lost for if he had been provoked any further, he might have actually attempted to kill Zeus.

Brandon lowered his hand as strings of lightning raced along his fingers and up his arms before they were absorbed back into his being. He turned his back to Dmitri and pointed a finger to Persephone as he ordered—just in case she made a motion to—“Don’t touch him!” He strode toward the table and rested his hands upon it as he declared, “I don’t know what to say to you, Hades. You killed a mortal and destroyed a Titan out of fear that he might have taken or harmed Persephone? Did the Titan make any motion to harm my daughter? Did you demand that he leave or else?”

Dmitri laughed, “Are you serious? Ask a Titan to leave? This is a war!”

Brandon angrily whirled around, “It just became a war!”

“It was always a war, you fool! I won’t risk the life of my wife for you or for anyone. She is MINE!” Dmitri bore his teeth as he painfully rose to his knees and roared at all the gods, especially Demeter, “All of you get that through your fucking heads. She is MY wife! No one will lay a hand on her, speak ill of her, threaten to touch or harm her in any way around me. NO ONE!”

“Then for the safety of my children and my siblings, you will not partake in this war.”

“WHAT?”

“You will be bound to your throne in The Underworld until the war is over, and Persephone shall stay in the manor in the care and protection of her mother and the other gods.”

“And when will this war end? Months? Years? I have two months left. Based on our agreement she is to remain with me!”

“I do not know when this war will end. It may not end for several years, but until it does, Persephone shall remain here.”

“How dare you go against our agreement…she is safer with me. Didn’t I kill the Titan? No other mortals were harmed though they could have been if Coeus didn’t die…”

“We don’t know that for certain. The Titan may have only provoked you to do what he had intended for you to do.”

“The war has begun. You need me and my minions. You need my strength as you did in the first Titanomachy. You cannot win this without Hades. Not without the God of the Underworld!”

Brandon then frowned, speaking no more on his decision. He gazed over his shoulder at the other gods and queried, “You have heard my conviction for my brother. If any object, speak now; but if there are not enough objections, then Hades shall be sentenced to remain in The Underworld for the duration of the war, and Persephone shall remain in our care.”

Everything happened so fast; from blinding light protruding insanely everywhere to the trial and fight between Zeus and Hades. Anette looked in total shock as she witness the whole scene from start to finish. Hades was in the lead but Zeus instantly knocked him back to the ground, obliterating all hopes for Hades to overcome his younger brother in the massive brawl.

As the whole ordeal came to a close, Hades laid sprawled on the floor in much supernatural agonizing pain, feeling much defeated or so it looked. When Zeus announced that Hades was suspended to the Underworld and not to fight along side with the other gods, Hades' heart immediately sunk. His heart sunk even lower when Zeus forbade Hades to go any where near Persephone until the war was sometime finished or passed over.

Anette started to feel a little remorseful for Hades even though she was still highly furious at him. It was fallacious enough that he had to be on punishment throughout the rest of the war but did her father, Zeus, had to prehend Persephone away from him just like that? Anette shook her head in shame as she watched Hades beg and plead to have Persephone for himself but Zeus embedded his mighty foot down and wouldn't have any of it. Zeus remained with his decision and it was either his way or no way at all.

Anette knew that Demeter was going to be highly jovial about Zeus' choice and would mostly thank him to death later on but Persephone would be mostly upset about it and probably wouldn't even speak with Zeus for a while. The meeting was beginning to adjourn and Anette still didn't have any complaints or regards about the whole procedure that everyone was set out to do pertaining to the fated animosity engagement with the Titans.

"Father, I'm with you on the punishment upon uncle Hades but why must you go to extremes and break the married couple apart? Please don't do it over personal issues just because of your unruly anger and impertinent impatience got the best of you. Have mercy!", Anette pleaded loudly while everybody else continued to be either vexatiously mortified or have pleads for or against Zeus' decision.

Will everybody appeal to Zeus' arbitration or will some of them object to his hearing?

Persephone could only watch in horror as her husband, her strong and dark husband's screams echoed through the Manor.She had moved away from Hades when he had told her to but she instantly regretted it when she saw what her father was doing to him. Her heart seemed to stop completely when her father spoke those dreaded words.The awful conversation she was forced to listen to between her husband and her father."“You will be bound to your throne in The Underworld until the war is over, and Persephone shall stay in the manor in the care and protection of her mother and the other gods.”

“And when will this war end? Months? Years? I have two months left. Based on our agreement she is to remain with me!”

“I do not know when this war will end. It may not end for several years, but until it does, Persephone shall remain here.”

“How dare you go against our agreement…she is safer with me. Didn’t I kill the Titan? No other mortals were harmed though they could have been if Coeus didn’t die…”

“We don’t know that for certain. The Titan may have only provoked you to do what he had intended for you to do.”

“The war has begun. You need me and my minions. You need my strength as you did in the first Titanomachy. You cannot win this without Hades. Not without the God of the Underworld!”

Persephone sank to the ground, having barely any words to speak but only small sobs. Her father would tear her away from the man she loved as a punishment?

She placed her pale hands on the floor, palms facing down and looked up at her father with tears once again falling down her angelic face."This....is your punishment for him? Did you ever think....how much this would wound me? How much sorrow I would endure while being away from the man I have loved for centuries?!"

She stood up wobbly and then turned to address all the Gods, her emerald eyes so filled with tears it became more difficult to see. " Mother, Aphrodite, Ares, and all of you. I love this man to my very core. There is no one else I can imagine spending..an..an Immortal life with!" She crossed her arms and clutched herself as the tears still continued to pour.

She turned towards Zeus and wiped the tears from her eyes and face."You who I have called Father, you who have given me life. I am the most disappointed with you. Hades is not a perfect man NOR GOD BUT NEITHER ARE YOU!."

Persephone's eyes momentarily lost their angelic gleam as anger took over her."I am done here. You can tell Hermes or one of the others to come get me when you have made your decision "Father"." She spat out the word and then her eye softened when she turned to look at her husband."No matter what our family decides, my thoughts and my heart will always revolve around you." She nodded her head towards him and then turned to give a small smile towards the rest of the Gods and her mother."I will see you all later..."

Persephone's body seemed to shake slightly and the scent of spring flowers began to swirl around the room, and within seconds she had disappeared.

Minutes Later

Persephone had managed to successfully transport herself to beach and was now laying down on the sand in her rather expensive Marc Jacobs dress, not caring at the moment about anything other then what had just happened at the manor. She sighed and sat up wrapping her arms around her knees and hiding her face."I wonder what everyone's choice will be...."

Dionysus watched the whole Pay Per View show with his arms crossed and his eyes wide.He was about to grab some popcorn when he saw that Persephone was now weeping on the floor and his heart sank. Sure he was a complete asshole a lot of the time but he was pretty sure only a person with a heart of stone wasn't going to be affected by the Goddess's crying like that. He had never actually knew she loved him that much, especially since he technically kidnapped her all those years ago.

He watched as Persephone shimmered out of the Manor and then stood up deciding that now was the time to become slightly more serious."To start off, Hades I fucking hate your existence. HOWEVER! You do protect your wife, and seem to...love her as much as that thought sickens me, I don't like..to...see her sad." He turned away so no one could see the almost sad expression on his usually bright and cheerful face.

"So I vote to overrule Dad's little punishment, and allow the two lovebirds to stay together. Whether it's the Underworld or Earth, I mean come on Dad think about it. You, Poseidon, and Hades are pretty much the main people we need to kill the Titans right? What the hell are Hera, Persephone, Hestia, and I going to do? Want me to throw grapes at them? Want Hera to make them get some marital issues? Or perhaps have our dear Persephone throw some flowers? No, we need the more po...powerful Gods involved."

This was probably the first more serious discussion Dionysus had been in since being awake from their slumber."So you got my vote Mr. Lighting Bolt Man." He turned to the other Gods and Goddesses' and held up his hands."What are your votes then? By the way any volunteers for going to find our little Goddess? Since y'know I'm pretty sure she's on the verge of a panic attack.."

Ares was enjoying the bout of his Uncle and Dad.espescially when Hades got the upper hand, but then Zues decided to pull a dick move and fry him. The scowl that appeared when Zeus came in, reappeared tenfold when he announce his desicion to suspend Hades. Persephone was horrified by this and implored Zeus to reconsider, and at last saw the truth of their "Father's" nature. Even Dionysus the family duche sidded with her and against Zeus.

If one thought Ares was angry before, it compared little to the infuration he felt now. "You want my vote? Here it is." The God of War strode over to "Brandon" and the next thing he was about to do was without a doubt, the most incomprehensible, audatious, and probably thick headed thing he had ever done. He with little mercy, promptly bashed his sheild against his skull with enough force to send him across the room, of course the only reason he could do so was because it was completely unexpected, other wise the results would be far less dramatic.

His voice became the most venomous, hatful tone he had ever spoken in,"You...single minded, petty, undeserving, weak minded waste if existence! I have my complaints about the others but you...its things like this that make me hate you the most. Its just like with Prometheus! You claim to be the wisest and a true leader to us, yet you still continue to prove other wise. I not only vote against your ruling, but I also call into question your right to lead us.

How can a god who can't even control his loins lead us? To pretend otherwise is an insult! If Hades is to be banished then I will not fight, not for you, I believe the wrong god was assigned to Olympus. I do not fear you, or your wrath, if you wish to test your feebleness against more of your kin then go right ahead. I now understand why Cronos loathes you!"

Audatious.

Life changing.

Shear gall.

Zeus – Brandon Stone

Pegasus Manor

Brandon didn’t even regard his son Ares, when the god chimed to have a say on the situation. When he came around to stand by his side, his son attacked him and his shield rang upon impact with the god’s cranium. Brandon was dropped to his knees and he slapped his left hand upon the floor as his right brushed over the spot where he had been struck. Ares was hardly unpredictable when it came to any sort of violence, but he hadn’t expected his son to dare attack him. He wasn’t going to provoke him, knowing Ares was a special case, and unlike Hades, would not be able to stop once someone excited him to fight.

Brandon slowly rose, and as he did, his mortal flesh was shed as the towering form of the father stood to his sandaled feet with hair as white as clouds and skin gently aglow with his divine radiance. Zeus faced Ares with a deep frown on his face, his eyes comprised of electricity, flickering within his sockets. “You, Ares, are one of my most foolish and ignorant of sons. You would claim to know the meaning of the cosmos without having been created during that time. I am ruler of the gods because The Fates had made it so. I, too, am not perfect, but I take care of all my children. If there is one thing that I have seen while living as a mortal is that there are mortal men who sprout children all over and raise none.”

Zeus held his hand out to the other gods. “Have I not taken care of all of you? My children are the reason why there is still a world today. So hold your tongue when you dare curse my loins or my reasons for it is all determined by The Fates!”

“I am a judge, and I will not allow a crime to go unpunished. There are three objections and two for. I await the decisions of all of you, and as for Ares…if you so believe that my father Cronus is a better ruler than I, then go join him. If you plan to betray me or your family at the end of this war for your words are treacherous, then be a traitor now and not later. I would rather see my son’s true skin here and now! Cronus devoured my brothers and sisters when they were just babes out of fear that one of us would be king. Your uncles and aunts would not dare prefer Cronus over me. He is a monster, and if you’d rather him, then so be it! I will not allow this war to continue amongst my kin anymore!”

"At least for once you admit your faults!" The audacity had yet to ceace, after all this time the straws on his back had officially broken it. He called his spear to him which flew into his hand booming as he struck it to the ground,"I side not with Cronos, I only understand his hatred for you, he is a monster and I will slay him by myself if I have to. But I will not do so under your banner with this desicion you're making. You taught me to fight and that is all, you left us all to ourselves and popped in every once in a while when it was conveinent."

Ares had one more statement to make, "If there is one thing that I have learned from the mortals its that Fate is in our own hands, and I shall forge my own destiny, instead of blindly following a petty god and the words of shrivled old women. I was ignorant once, but now my eyes are open and so are Persephone's and Hades, Aphrodite, and even Dionysus! So damn you, damn Cronos and damn the Fates. The mortals are better then you are or I. Should this decision go through look not to me to save you from Cronos' mouth."

And with those last blasphemous words Ares dissapeared from the manor, leaving behind either a crowd of awe or anger.

Anette watched her father, Zeus, be struck to the ground momentarily by Ares' heavy shield. She jumped up from her seat and was about to walk at her father's side to help assist him but stopped when he got up and tarried tiresomely back over to the head of the table. Anette couldn't say anything but listened to the conversation Ares and Zeus were arguing about.

After Ares said his last, meaningful and regretful words, he flashed out of existence and left the others to contemplate about their own decisions and well beings. Anette turned her heavy exhausted head back to Zeus, "I really have nothing more to say....But one person who taught me very well on how to forgive and love with all of my heart was my....sweet beautiful most dear mother.....I remember that now....".

Anette tried not to let tears convey themselves to anyone as she wanted to remain strong-minded in any situations that held tearjerking moments. Anette had enough and needed time by herself in her room so she straightened herself out and scanned her now disturbed dark lavender eyes at the remaining gods and goddesses, "May hope beautifully come our way and peace, which is the brilliant light, will magnificently stay....", she added as she faded out of existence with shimmers of pink and platinum sweet smelling sparkles of radiant luster.

Zeus & Hades – Brandon Stone & Dmitri Ruslan

Pegasus Manor

Dmitri coughed raggedly as the smoke from his clothes pungently filled his nostrils. He had watched the dispute between his brother and his ungrateful son. Patting his hands across his knees, the mafia boss straightened as he gazed sympathetically at Zeus. He might have been King of the Gods, but he was still his little brother. Dmitri could tell how upset he was even through his hard, masking exterior. He didn’t think that he was on trial anymore.

“Your children have turned their backs on you,” Dmitri obviously noted. “They know nothing of your prowess. You might be terribly annoying at times, but you are still Zeus. That is what the Fates said you would be.”

Dmitri turned his back to Zeus and reached his hand inside his suit, pulling free a new pair of sunglasses that he slid onto his face. “Do not try to win back their faith. Wars are not won that way. As you said before, everything is going as planned. Protect your children and win the war. I’ll do my part as usual.”

Zeus watched Dmitri in silence. Had he over-reacted? He had desired for his siblings not to fight and war, but they were still torn apart. There was nothing he could do to stop it. Zeus closed his eyes before he announced quietly, “This meeting’s adjourned.” Everyone was worried and perhaps afraid of what the future held. He shrank back to Brandon Stone and left the banquet hall to seek solitude in his room.

Fully rested in her room, Anette, or should we now call her, Aphrodite rose up gracefully from her luxurious silk pink heart-shaped four-poster bed, feeling relaxed and rejuvenated from her recent ordeal pertaining to the "brutally harsh" conference between the gods and Zeus. She sat up in all her ethereal beautiful glory and leaned her delicate back against the headboard as her sliver glittery lavender irises took in her modern-styled bedroom wholeheartedly.

Aphrodite needed some nap time, or her infamous "beauty rest", after dealing arduously with her temperamental family. The meeting took a lot out of her and she needed to get away from the tensions that were sparking around the dining room table. She still had to converse with Athena one-on-one and made a memo of it, making sure that she was going to catch up with her later on when she had more "convenient" time. Aphrodite sidled out of bed and got up with much poise and finesse.

Everything she did had much grace and agility that she integrated in her daily life; never in a day did she let that strong character of confidence lapse on her. In her victorian-styled bathroom, after taking off her silk pale pink short length robe and letting her long platinum blond hair down from being tied up in a white ribbon that it was confined in, Aphrodite slipped into the platinum-crowned porcelain hot tub, breathing shallow heavy tranquil breaths, "Now this is more like it....", she murmured as she let the steam of water open up her soft pores skin.

Before she could hum a silent tune to herself, a dull flash of light shot down from the ceiling with a sheen of white luster. Aphrodite rose a delicate arched eyebrow as she now looked in her long time devoted follower Eros' face. He smiled at her warmly and couldn't help but chuckle momentarily, "Well if it isn't my most humble bubbly servant. How are you, my dear Eros?", she languidly mentioned him as her slender french manicured hands smoothed warm soapy fragrant water over her white creamy skinned arms.

"Most fair and gorgeous goddess, I am completely fine and goes for the same with the temple goers in Cythera. I heard everything that is going on between the gods and the Titans; it's very ashame that it has happened without full warning....", Eros affirmed to Aphrodite as he sat gently next to her hot tub. Aphrodite half smiled, "That is very good that you and everyone in Cyprus are doing well. But alas, your prediction is all too true; the war has increasingly waged on and it's now turned for the worse. I'm at my wit's end about this", she replied, frustrated that she still didn't have a definite plan that might help end the bloody engagement between the brutal rivals.

Eros shook his head in shame and tried to make light of the situation, "Don't worry your pretty little head so much, my most dear goddess, just worry about what you can do to help your family keep safe". Eros was painfully right and Aphrodite couldn't blame him for it but she still wanted to help out as best as she could with all her might instead of siting in the background, not taking immediate action. But what could she do to help stop the war all together?

Aphrodite nodded an agreement with Eros' advice, "Your right.....I just hope this war will finally cease soon....", she trailed off slipping her wavy platinum blond head beneath the lukewarm water. Eros giggled again as he waved his pearly white hands over Aphrodite's bathtub, creating white rose petals to rain softly all over it.