A/N: So sorry for the delay. I was focusing on NaNoWriMo and the college hits me in the gut. Now I'm in the middle of Finals Week. I'm posting this as an apology for the delay. I'm not leaving this hanging. No way.

Side note, I posted a new fic called Seven Seconds of Chaos that takes place in this series but in the future and is a crossover with Criminal Minds. It can stand alone but yeah... The inspiration hit so I figured why not?

Chapter summary: In which the Justice League arrives in Tartarus and the alliance of pantheons faces off against the Greeks.

Confrontations

"Ares!" Artemis called, frustration lacing her voice. "Why by Hades aren't you at Council?" she demanded, stalking up to the infamous god of war. "He called it to order a half hour ago."

"And yet you're absent as well, half-sister," Ares said with a smirk, returning to his drills. "If that bastard thinks he can command my every move then he is sorely mistaken."

Artemis fingered the knife at her hip, wanting badly to draw it. The subtle movement was not lost on Ares who chortled and turned to the huntress fully. "Haven't had a decent challenge in a while, half-sister mine?" he teased, hefting his own sword. "Care to trade a few blows?"

The huntress fumed, wanting very badly to accept Ares' offer if only to relieve some of her pent up fury and stress. Unfortunately, Zeus was expecting her back with her wayward sibling. She stood tall in a visible withdrawal to which Ares clucked and shook his head.

"You've certainly changed these past few centuries," he commented wistfully. "You never used to hesitate when challenged. You took it as a personal affront and were particularly vicious in battle." He shrugged and sheathed his sword, narrowing his eyes as he did so. "That aside, do you notice anything different Artemis?"

The huntress studied Ares, watching for any sign if deception. Finding none, she shifted her feet to a more comfortable stance. "I did," she said, glancing at their surroundings distrustfully. "Olympus feels wrong."

"Perhaps our sacred mountain has finally rejected our useless drunkard of a father," Ares said.

"Watch your mouth!" Artemis snapped. "You may have your personal feelings about Zeus but for Hera's sake, keep them to yourself."

"Is that concern I hear, dear Artemis?" Ares asked in mock surprise. He placed a hand over the center of his breastplate theatrically. "For me? Why you warm my heart."

Artemis hissed and turned sharply. "Come or don't," she said. "But don't expect me to cover for you when Zeus demands to know why you didn't come on his orders."

Ares waited a good few seconds before heaving a heavy sigh and hurrying after the huntress. "Coming, coming," he called, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wouldn't want to upset the all-mighty Zeus, now would we?" he needled as he raced past Artemis.

The huntress flinched and bared her teeth in barely restrained fury. She cursed colorfully and followed after Ares. She would be damned if she arrived to council last.

Hidden by the Shadows, Bakura snickered. "And to think I got to see a performance like that for free," he said smirking. "That was almost on par with The Young and the Restless."

Jounouchi glanced at Bakura in mild disbelief. "You watch that crap?" he asked.

Bakura shrugged. "Not particularly," he said casually. "But from the parts I've while channel flipping, that right there," he nodded to the now vacant area where Cloned Ares and Artemis had spoken just moments before, "would not have been a jarring addition."

Marik snickered. "Yes, I can see it now." He held up his hands as if presenting something. "Next time on the The Young and the Restless Olympians," he said in an overly dramatic announcer voice, "Ares makes Artemis mad. Could this be the end of an already defunct and inbred relationship?"

Even Kaiba smirked at that.

Whatever Green Lantern had been expecting, he tossed it out with the garbage. Tartarus was not a cage or altogether frightening place. It was not dark or enclosed or anything remotely associated with the word "prison." It was actually wide open and endless.

Beneath his feet was a sea of sand rising and falling in wind sculpted dunes that heaved and flowed like the endless waves on the ocean. It brought a new consideration to the idea of the ocean being a desert. Thank goodness everyone present could fly with the sole exception of Mokuba. He quickly created a sphere of emerald green energy around the tumbling boy catching him and easing his fall.

"Mokuba!" he called, flying down to be level with the orb.

"Are you well?" J'onn asked.

Mokuba pushed himself up slowly shaking his head as if to clear it. He blinked slate gray eyes at his companions for a moment before smiling. "I'm fine," he said waving. "Don't worry. I'm almost used to falling by name," he joked.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that," Wonder Woman said, her hand held palm up so the Tsukuyomi's shikigami could flutter up into the air around them.

"Neither do I," Hawkgirl said, lowering her mace and watching the butterfly made of pure moonlight fly around their little group, orienting itself with their location. "Do you think she meant to drop us in space like that?" she asked Diana.

The Amazoness shook her head. "I highly doubt it." She looked back to their surroundings. "From the looks of it, I'd say everything is open space here eventually."

"Yeah," Lantern said, voice grim. "Not exactly what I expected."

"You're not alone there, Lantern," Shayera said.

They hovered in the air watching the waves of sand sink revealing the toppled remains of a stone city, the crumbling columns chipping away as the sand brushed against it. Wind blew in their faces, howling hauntingly as it passed.

"Creepy," Mokuba mumbled.

"I can agree with that," Lantern said.

"So where is everyone?" Shayera asked.

"Tartarus is an entire dimension," Diana said with some reluctance. "Not much is known about it."

Mokuba stood in the glowing sphere and crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Why would you send someone to a place you don't know much about?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. "That's kinda stupid. I mean, how do you know the place is bad at all?"

"Oh we do," Diana replied, her eyes narrowing. "It was created for the sole purpose of being a prison for gods."

"Specifically the Titans," Shayera said, glancing at her friend. Diana nodded just as the glowing butterfly fluttered back to her. "Let me guess," Hawkgirl said propping her free fist on her hip, "Zeus made it."

"Actually no," Diana said. "It predates him. It predates even Cronus, former king of the Titans." She turned to her friends and sighed. "It's a deity unlike any we've ever encountered."

"Deity?" J'onn asked. He hummed softly. "That explains why I sense those…" he hesitated, "thoughts."

The Amazon nodded. "This place, Tartarus, is sentient. That's why it's such an efficient prison."

"It makes sure its inhabitants stay here at any and all costs," Lantern said. "Not a fan."

"Neither am I," Wonder Woman said. "Let's get this over with as quickly as possible."

The Tsukuyomi's butterfly took flight once more and made its delicate way forward guiding the group to where they hoped Helios would be. Mokuba bit his lip and braced himself against the front of the glowing energy orb as Green Lantern and the other Justice League members followed the butterfly over the heaving sea of sand. The crumbling ruins revealed by the sand vanished under another wave of sandy dunes and he could not help but hope that was not an omen.

This place gave him the creeps. Other than the sky, a featureless expanse above them that emanated light from an unseen source, and the constantly moving ground beneath them, there were no features to guide them or orient them. Everything changed, nothing stayed the same, and yet everything was unchanging and the same. The place made him feel disoriented and disturbed.

There was a wrongness that permeated through Tartarus shaking Mokuba to his soul. He could feel his Shadows rebelling against this place. He and the Justice League had no business being here and Mokuba had the strangest feeling that Tartarus knew it too. The Keeper of the Shadow Court gulped, sincerely hoping they could find Helios and get out of here before Tartarus kicked them out personally.

"You're late," Zeus said, his voice carrying well despite the lack of volume.

That may have been what made Artemis pale even though she had managed to pass Ares and reach the Council first. As it was, she bit her tongue and bow as respectfully as she could. When she straightened she noticed Ares standing proudly beside her, arms crossed over his chest and glaring at Zeus.

"What do you want, old man?" he demanded. "Another lecture?" He spit on the ground at Zeus's feet, stunning the goddess of the hunt. "Tell it to someone who cares."

"I suggest you hold your tongue Ares," Hades said, his long ebony locks dripping over his shoulders. "This is neither the time nor the place."

"Yeah?" Ares said, turning his gaze to the god of the underworld with disdain. "Then when will the right time be, hm? When will we finally be at the right place to have this talk?"

"That's enough," Zeus said, his golden eyes flashing.

"No, it's not," Ares countered sharply. "I've had it. I chased after Helios because you told me to. I brought him back here like you wanted and what did I get for my troubles? Nothing but ridicule and a lecture and dismissal like some errant child. I am not a child and I'll be damned if I let you keep treating me like I am you goddamn asshole."

"Ares!" Apollo gasped, standing from his seat in shock.

Artemis stared at Ares as if only just seeing him. Hades's eyes were wide with disturbed awe. Athena lifted both of her eyebrows impressed by the display. Hera sat back, stunned by the young god of war's words and actions. However, it was Dionysus who broke the tension by laughing.

He laughed so hard he fell back on the blanket and pillows spread out beneath him. His arms clutched his belly as he rolled on his side and cackled madly. "Th…that was…." He burst into hysterical giggles. "That was amazing!" he finally managed to gasp between cackles. "You…" he tried to point at Ares but his hand could barely stay still. "You were all red and puffed like…. A-ha aha-a puffer fish." He collapsed back onto his back and kicked his feet, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. "I am so glad I got up today," he gasped when he got the chance to snag a breath.

"You find this…funny?" Ares huffed in disbelief.

"No," Dionysus panted breathlessly. "I find it hilarious. Ah, my side hurts. Hehe." He quickly lost himself in another fit of giggles.

"Dionysus control yourself!" Hera snapped furiously.

"Yes, yes, of course dearest mother," the god of ritual madness said, pushing himself up to his feet. He staggered towards Ares and slapped a hand on his half sibling's shoulder, surprising the god of war thoroughly. "That was the best laugh I've had in a while," he said. "Ah, I needed that."

"Enough!"

Dionysus flinched at Zeus's roaring voice accompanied by a crash of thunder, stumbling back from Ares. His eyes fixed on Zeus in mixed amusement and terror.

"You will all of you behave," the king of the Olympians declared, leveling a vicious glare at Ares and Dionysus.

Artemis stood her ground but glanced surreptitiously at Athena who met her gaze uneasily.

"I am the lord of Olympus," Zeus said, his voice filling the Council.

"And I am apparently a god of chaos who is notoriously short on patience," Kaiba said appearing in the middle of the madness in a while of Shadows.

"You!" Ares hissed, grabbed his sword. He froze when Zeus waved a hand, silently commanding him to stand aside. The god of war seethed in fury.

"You are trespassing, Set," Zeus said, staring down at Kaiba with detached fury. "I could detain you for interfering in my pantheon."

"Hardly," Kaiba countered smoothly. "Seeing as it was your pantheon who interfered first, consider this a declaration of war."

"War?" Hades repeated doubtfully. "On us? You are a young pantheon, unestablished, and currently you are alone."

"It's not just him, fat ass," another voice said just as none other than the lord of the Unseelie Fae stepped forward. The Pine King gave a mocking bow before making a show of holding his nose. "Honestly," he sighed, "could you not hold that fart until we were gone? It smells as bad as your judgement."

Dionysus snorted with the effort to hold in his cackles, a fay smile breaking through his defenses. Zeus's eyes blazed wrathfully.

"You dare speak to me that way nymph?" the king of Olympians growled.

"We are neither of us nymphs," Pwyll said, stepping up to stand even with Arawn and Kaiba. "We are gods as you are and deserve your respect."

"Hardly," Zeus snapped. "I am older than the both of you combined. I am the one you should bow to."

"I bow to no one," Kaiba said, voice as cold as his eyes. "You will hear me out or I will simply take what I came for and leave this place in shambles."

"And by what right do you come in here and make such demands?" Hera said before Zeus could respond.

"I demand Helios be returned to my protection where he belongs," Kaiba said firmly. "And I was Ares to answer for his crimes against both my pantheon and another."

Hera nodded. "I assume the Welsh beside you are the other wronged pantheon?" she asked, eyes studying the Pine King and Oak King astutely. "It is rare for both Courts to unite in such a way."

Arawn snorted. "While I admit, that is true, it is not true that we are the other offended party. At least, not in that respect. That honor lies with the Japanese pantheon, represented by the noble Tsukuyomi no Mikoto and the Susanoo no Mikoto."

The two Japanese gods stepped wordlessly out of the Shadows to join Kaiba and the Welsh in the Council.

"What is the offense you," Zeus paused, "claim to have suffered?"

"Your god of war has attacked one under our protection," the Susanoo no Mikoto stated simply, fingering his slender blade strapped to his side. "By doing so, he directly interfered in our pantheon's jurisdiction. We demand he face our punishment."

"He also interfered in my pantheon by taking Helios from my protection and thus by extension the entire Egyptian pantheon," Kaiba added.

Zeus sneered, turning his hateful gaze on the Fae. "And I suppose you two want in on the action as well. Is there another guest coming I should be aware of?" he jeered.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Arawn said with a grin. "Well," he corrected, "she does," he said pointing to the silvery woman who suddenly stood next to him to the surprise of many. "And so does he," he added, pointing to a green hooded archer who stepped out of the Shadows by Kaiba's side. "I'm just here to watch the chaos," the Unseelie King added playfully. "I must say, this is turning out to be a hell of a lot more amusing than I originally anticipated. Please do keep it up."

"Selene," Athena whispered. The goddess of wisdom nodded to the Titaness respectfully earning a nod in reply.

"I too have grievances with which to charge you," Selene said simply. "You will face them all. But first I want my brother back."

"And I'm here on behalf of the Justice League," Green Arrow said. "Ares attacked the humans who are under the protection of the League. We demand he faces justice for the harm he caused."

Zeus laughed. "And you think you can just walk onto Olympus, into my Council and make these ridiculous demands?" he said snidely.

The Tsukuyomi tilted his head and met Zeus's gaze evenly. "You are declaring war on all three of our pantheons then?" he asked mildly. His voice was soft like an evening breeze but the words fell heavy on those present. "I am certain my sister would be… less than pleased by this outcome. Although I think the Unseelie and Seelie Courts would enjoy the distraction," he blinked slowly, almost lazily, "I doubt you and your fellow gods present will be able to get past the entire Egyptian pantheon."

"Entire…" Artemis whispered.

Suddenly the darkness around the Council columns writhed revealing eleven figures standing in a circle around the Council chambers. Their features were hidden by the darkness that clung to them like inky skin but their eyes gleamed.

"Yes," the living shadow to Zeus's right said. Its voice was deep and rich, dripping with power and authority and its eyes gleamed dark red in the dim light. "The entire Egyptian pantheon."

"We're willing to discuss a trade," Kaiba said, drawing Zeus's attention back to himself. "In exchange for returning Helios alive and well to my protection and swearing never to touch him so long as he remains such, both my pantheon and the Japanese pantheon are willing to withdraw our claim from Ares. These are our terms."

"Father I-"

"Be silent," Zeus said, cutting off Ares plea sharply. The king of the Olympians studied the alliance of pantheons as well as the shadowy figures of the rest of the Egyptian pantheon in disgust. "I have business to tend to regarding Helios," he said. "Therefore I cannot meet your terms. Take Ares."

"What?!" the young god of war gasped.

"Zeus!" Apollo breathed.

"You bastard," Artemis hissed hatefully.

"You can't do this!" Athena cried, standing from her chair.

Dionysus reached for a goblet of wine. He needed the drink. Hera's face paled as did Hades's. Both elder Olympians met each other's eyes. It was Hades who looked away first.

Kaiba grinned victoriously and his shoulders began to shake as laughter spilled forth from his lips. Zeus watched the Egyptian god of chaos with unease.

"Did you hear that Ares?" Kaiba cried loudly. "Did you hear? Your own father cares more about a criminal than you."

Ares flinched, his hand tightening its grip on the sword at his belt as he listened to Set's words.

"So you see?" Kaiba said. "He never loved you. He only used you as tool. You've outlived your usefulness, Ares. What happens to a tool when it's no longer useful?" Glacial blue eyes sparked. "It's thrown away, tossed aside like trash. Is that what you are Ares? Are you trash?"

"No."

The reply came from Ares whose lips formed the word defiantly, but it also seemed to come from behind Kaiba. How could that be?

"No? Not trash?" Kaiba said. "Then tell me, who is your enemy? Say his name."

"Zeus."

Again, Ares's lips formed the word but the sound seemed to emanate from both his mouth as well as a place somewhere in the darkness behind Kaiba.

"And what do you do with an enemy?" Kaiba asked.

"Kill them."

"What is this nonsense?" Zeus demanded.

Kaiba smirked. "You are a fool," he said simply.

"You dare!"

"At least I'm not the one who can't even tell his own son from a fake," Kaiba said sternly.