C4: A Not so Pleasent Meeting:

xxx Mount Olympus xxx

Saturday, ugh how Artemis hated Saturdays at the first of the month. The first Saturday of the month was a council meeting of all 12 of the leading Olympians. This would normally boil down to long drawn out and, to her, pointless bickering between the male gods. Big surprise there. But since the theft of the Master Bolt from Zeus, this meeting would be even more painful to witness. The man maybe her father, but she couldn't bare to sit there and watch him throw a tantrum like a spoiled 9 year old child. Normally she would miss the meeting and just stay with her hunt. But not this time. No, this time her and Athena would be presenting evidence of a crime against nature. Mortals were stepping outside of their bounds and trying to create life on their own terms. The main evidence for this was currently in her private woods behind her temple.

Her woods were special due a special spell over the entire area. The spell caused the entire area to be bathed in a highly calming aura. Any animal within that forest would not attack or act agressively unless provoked. The last time it had really been used was during the discovery of the North and South Americas. Thousands of new species for herself and Athena to learn about. Now it served as a home for a variety of Nymph types that want nothing to due with satrys or men. They served as the caretakers. As well as The Hunt when she had to come to Olympus of business. But for now The Hunt would be staying in her temple as her woods currently had a guest. The unknown species of manmade dinosaur was currently housed with its confines. Made evident by its large yawning roar. Signaling that it had indeed woken up.

Artemis left instructions to The Hunt to not antagonize the animal and observe from a distance if they wished to brave the woods. For the nymphs she asked that they make sure that there was a large collection of fresh meat for the animal. If it was kept fed it wouldn't hunt anybody and the calming aura of the place would keep it from lashing out in anything but self defense. They agreed and even said they would try and talk to it just like Artemis could if she didn't have this meeting.

After issueing her orders she quickly freshened herself up. Making sure all her wounds had healed up from the tree being dropped on her last night. She had to hand it to that animal. It knew how to get rough. She still hoped that it could be trained to live with The Hunt. Not as a weapon that the mortals intended it to be. But as a loyal friend.

Exiting her temple she spotted Athena waiting for her. A large file in hand, Athena, always prepared. "Morning a good rest after last night? I assume everything is prepared for toady's meeting?"

The ravenette goddess nodded as she turned in step with Artemis on the way to the council hall. "Yes I slept quite well after making a recording of last night and all the evidence we have so far. Hopefully everyone will see the severity of this and a full investigation will be allowed so we can use others' domains. With that we can bring in all guilty parties for a trail in front of the council. How is our guest?"

"It woke up a little bit ago. Thankfully even though it was not naturally born or even created by nature, the calming spell is working at keeping the animal placid. I will have no problems talking to it later to see what it can remember."

Athena nodded with a slight smile at hearing everything was ready for after this meeting. Saying nothing more they approached the council chambers. The smile quickly faded as the sound of yelling could be hear. Great, they were fighting already. Opening the large golden doors the found the source of the shouting. Two men, one in a business the other in a tropical shirt. Both had black hair and full beards. Business suit having one of Santa Clause approved length. He was also the one doing the most yelling.

"Poseidon! I demand you return the master bolt you stole from me! I know you took it!" Suit man said. His eyes humming with electric blue bolts.

"I've told you Zeus! I didn't take your damn bolt! I have enough to worry about in this modern era to want all your problems as well!"

Athena shook her head while Artemis rubbed the bridge of her nose. Great, the meeting was already a mess with those two already argueing. The chances of being heard seriously was in serious doubt now. Zeus lead the counc as the King of the Gods and usually takes matters like this seriously. But ever since the winter solstice his symbol of power had been missing. Since then he had been raging at anybody who he thought could have stolen it. It seemed that it was The Sea God's turn of being accused of the theft.

Artemis sighed as her and Athena went to head to their thrones. 12 seats on the Olympus Council decided the major course of the world. Granted mortals were still allowed free will. But the general direction was set here. As they near their seats they were approached by another woman. Her brown eyes locked onto Artemis' silver ones. She gave a gently smile which seemed to illuminate with her golden blond hair. She was wearing a bright floral green dress as she neared. "Morning Artemis, may I have a word?"

Artemis nodded, "Of course Demeter."

The Goddess of Agriculture, Fertility and Sacred Law smiled again, "I simply wish to ask if everything is okay behind your temple. I went to go walk through your woods with Persephone before the meeting. Only to find your hunters had the area guarded off. Then I heard the most unusual animal sound. So I figured I would come see you."

Artemis sighed, "Unfortunately the animal you heard doesn't even have a name for its species. It's also the reason Athena is carring the large folder she is to this meeting. We are going to petition to the Council for a full investigation to not only bring three specific mortals, two souls and one still living, to justice. But to also gather pyshical evidence besides that animal to tip off the mortal justice system against the entire company." Artemis then turned her head to the still argueing brothers in the middle of the room. "Though it seems we may not be heard before a fight breaks out."

The smile on Demeter's face quickly vanished as she listened to the younger Goddess' explanation. Her gazed turned with Artemis, seeing her two younger brothers argueing like spoiled children. She instantly turned about and walked towards a very specific throne. On that throne was another woman. Her younger sister and Queen of the Gods. Hera the Goddess of Marriage, Home, Women, and Childbirth. She sat there wearing a golden crown and robes. With black hair and brown eyes and a beauty that was naturally perfect without any makeup.

Demeter quickly approached the seated Goddess, "Hera a word."

Hera's gaze quickly went from watching her 'loving husband' to her elder sister. Seeing Demeter without her gentle smile was rare, so Hera knew something was serious. "Of course Demeter, what is it?"

"Athena and Artemis have something important to bring to the council this month. But it seems our two brothers would rather argue again then sit and discuss anything. Prehaps you can help get the last two people seated?"

Hera only nodded once before standing. She walked up behind the two argueing men. Who were completely ignorant of her being there. She calmly stood there as she spoke, "Husband, brother." Both men froze at the overly kind tone of the voice behind them. Both being unfaithful husbands in their marriages knew that the tone was only used when they were in trouble with their respective wives. Slowly, both turned to see Hera standing there looking to happy. Her small smile made them even more nervous. Before they could say anything she spoke once more. "Prehaps we should take our seats? It seems Athena and Artemis have something serious to discuss with the council for a change. Rather then our usual banter. We should at least hear them out properly."

Zeus went to protest against his wife for being told what to do even though his his the King of Olympus. Not to mention he felt he was getting close to having his brother confess to the theft of his master bolt, "But, Hera he.."

He was quickly cut off as a dark aura surrounded Hera, "Yes Zeus? Something you wish to say? Might I remind you that you are on thin ice still from that last child of yours?"

Both brothers quickly vanished from the floor center in a burst of speed. Turning with a small smirk on her face, Hera spotted that both men were now seated in their thrones, as well as everyone else of course. She returned to her chair, receiving a nod of thanks from her older sister. As well as a giggle from another Goddess on the other side of the room. With Zeus frozen in fright of his wife, she decided to get the meeting started. "Welcome everyone to another monthly meeting. Now instead of our usual reports, I've been told that Artemis and Athena have something to bring to our attention. So we shall begin with that."

With that Athena rose from her throne and proceeded to the center of the room. Conjuring a small podium for herself she quickly arranged the file she had been carrying. "Thank you Lady Hera. Fellow Gods and Goddesses of the council, I come before you with evidence that a group of mortals has dared to tread into our domain. They have created life and voilated death. A mortal company has created a theme park of extinct dinosaurs. I have a list of 29 different species that this company has recreated. And its not just land based animals. They have also bred pterosaurs and even an ancient sea dweller, Mosasaur. And now we have learned something worse. They have decided that natural animals are not enough. Just last night, Artemis and myself captured the worst offense of all. They created an animal to be used as a weapon of war. Artemis and myself request to head a full investigation to bring the company down. As well as bring the remaining mortal in front of the council to face a trail for breaking the natural law."

The room was silent at Athena's statement. They all had different thoughts and opinions of course. Any with a connection to nature were instantly offended that mortals had done this. To think they would try to play 'god'. Amongst all the quiet mental murmers one voice spoke out with a cold stoic tone. "You mentioned a remaining lead offending mortal. Am I correct in assuming there are other souls involved that are already dead?"

Athena turned to the voice. Seated in this throne was an extremely tall man. He also dressed like a greek gothic crossover. Black hair, eyes, and robes with a pale complexion. His facal expression matched his stoic voice. Athena nodded to Hades, The God of the Dead, Wealth and Lord of the Underworld. "That is correct Lord Hades, three mortals started this venture to revive these animals. Two have already passed on and now reside within your domain."

Hades remained silent as black eyes studied grey ones. After a few moments The Rich One spoke once more, "After this meeting I will need their names and the date of their respective deaths to help shorten the search for their souls if you wish to question them."

Zeus interupted their conversation by standing and shouting at his oldest brother, "Hades! You can't just..."

"Husband," The eerily calm and gentle voice of his wife Hera behind froze him mid-word, "You are being rude. I suggest you sit down and wait for now."

On her own throne Artemis was watching with mild interest and amusement. It seemed Hera was still furious with Zeus after his last act of infidelity. Where he not only was faithless to their marriage. He also broke an Oath on the River Styx. Then to make matters worse, when the girl was found out, Zeus decided to change her into a tree to cover it up rather then take responsibilty for his actions. Of course, none of this changed the fact that Hera was still punishing him heavily for it. After a few silent moments Zeus sat back down next to his wife with a cold sweat running down his face.

Now, with her 'husband' safely shut up, Hera spoke to Athena, "The animal the Artemis and youself captured, you used the word 'created'. Am I correct in assuming that this animal was not bred?"

Athena nodded, "Yes Lady Hera. Judging by everything I know so far. It is very easy to say that it was designed and made, like one would a war chariot or any other weapon."

This drew a scoff from the biker dressed God of War and Voilence, Ares. "Oh, please. How dangerous can a manmade weapon be? I bet it's nothing more then a waste of flesh. Like anything else mortal related beside good looking women."

Athena narrowed her eyes at the fellow war deity. Her lips curled into a frown, "It killed The Minotaur with one bite. Followed by a short battle with Artemis and myself. Where it succeeded in dropping a tree on Artemis to try and take her out."

Ares barked out in laughter, "And you think that makes it tough? Weak women.."

This time Artemis stood and shouted, "What you say? You overgrown hot airbag?!"

Ares snorted while adjusting with black sunglasses and leaning back to lazy lay on his throne, "Did I stutter Tinkerbell? Women are weak, only good for opening your legs and popping out children of the strongest men."

Artemis was across the room in a flash, her bow drawn and pointed right between Ares' flame colored eyes before he could even blink. The War God smirked at the idea of fighting the Goddess of the Hunt and prepared to draw his sword when Hera spoke up once more "You will both calm down this instant! Arguing and fighting like children will solve nothing! Artemis return to your chair. Ares, I will be discussing this choice of conduct with you later." Her son nervously nodded his head in response. No matter how old they get. A son will always fear their mother's wrath.

Demeter broke the next few moments of silence, "Prehaps instead of making this a long drawn meeting and a bunch of needless questioning. We should allow Artemis and Athena to simply carry out this investigation. Its obvious to everyone here that these mortals have over stepped their bounds and dare to tread into a variety of our domains. Violation of the Dead, Denial of both Motherhood, and prehaps Denial of Childhood, Violation of Birth, and lastly a Violation of Life by Forced Evolution. These are all very noticable simply by the animal they captured. I motion that Artemis and Athena be allowed full rights to bring the last living mortal before us for trial. As well as gathering evidence against the company or companies involved."

There were quiet murmers amongst everyone in the room. Everyone discussing or thinking what should be done. The two half-sisters watched on quietly. Hoping their peers would see reason and allow them to hunt down these offenders. Both by Olympian standards. As well as mortal law so that all attempts at cloning or bio-weapon manufacturing were outlawed.

After a few more minutes of talking amongst themselves Zeus raised his hand to silence the room and draw attention to himself. "Time to vote. First everyone against doing anything to punish these mortals?"

No hands rose, except for one. Ares held his hand up proudly with a smirk. Typical jackass, was Athena's thought at seeing her war counterpart obviously wanting more weapons of war to be made regardless of what they were. She also noticed that Ares' smirk lessoned when he saw his 'love interest' Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, Beauty, Lust, and Sexuality, not agree with him on this. She was frowning and seemed very upset, even glaring at the war nut.

Zeus spoke once more "All in favor?" Everyone minus Ares raised their hands. "Very well, Artemis and Athena shall bring the guilty before us and find evidence for The Mortal Law to deal with everything else. This meeting is over for the month." Before anyone could anything he quickly vanished. Most likely to get away from the still angry with him Hera. Most Gods and Goddesses also started to leave to return to their varies duties.

"Well, that's over." Artemis stated as she rejoined Athena, "Now we can work on finding out everything we can to hunt these criminals down."

Athena nodded with a small smile, "Yes we can bring justice to those who have greatly wronged the natural order. For now though, we should return to your Sacred Forest and study the animal they created."