Greetings, from Celadon!

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The Lair of the Fates was still, quiet, serene as always. Ananke quietly solved multilingual word-puzzles. Rhapso worked diligently on a new bedspread for Zeus and Hera's bed. Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos quizzed and answered each other expertly on trivia from various humanoid histories. Only Pepromene busied herself with the current goings-on in the mortal world.

Specifically, on Celadon.

"Oh, Heimarmene..." Pepromene's voice called coyly to her sister, as she entered the room, "Heimarmene, I have some wonderful news for you. Savior has made her first use of Tyche's power without the use of the bracelet."

Rhapso stopped knitting, "...What?"

Heimarmene looked up from her eighteen-by-eighteen Rubik's cube, "Ah, she has, has she?"

"Just as Aeon said she would." Pepromene nodded cheerfully, "He predicted it right down to the second."

"Well...that's excellent." came Lachesis' voice suddenly, "Let's hope Zeus will be just as proud of her as we are."

"Ooh..." The others responded collectively. They hadn't been thinking about him.

"Well..." Rhapso looked up from her knitting again, "I'm sure you three can convince him that the whole dilemma's not as bad as it sounds. I'm sure he'll be reasonable."

"And if not, there's always letting him get in trouble with Hera again." Clotho giggled.

"Well, as tempting the entertainment is, girls", Lachesis spoke again, "You two know as well as I. It will be up to the Penultimate and Savior to do the convincing."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Morning came on Celadon, and there seemed to be a new sense of serenity in the air. The hippalectryons crowed just in time as the sun began to rise, and the birds sang sweetly to greet the day. The grass had fresh dew across it, and Eos' beautiful handiwork was painted across the dawn sky. In all honesty, aside from all the carnage left in the wake of Drake's invasion and the fight with Brutus, it was as though nothing had ever happened.

When finally the Penultimate returned from his sleep, breakfast had been prepared, right on time, and while the servants rested, Techne's drones busied themselves with cleanup. The reality bender looked around at all the mess, arms crossed with a smirk.

"Dang, I shoulda known it." The Penultimate chuckled, shaking his head slowly, "Y'all have parties when I'm away, don'tcha?"

The servants managed weak chuckles in response, but the Penultimate could tell that they weren't exactly in a joking mood. Zei stepped forward to speak for his fellow servants.

"Sire..." the old man began, "Last night, the manor came under attack. We tried--"

"Save it, Zei. It's fine." The Penultimate put up a hand, "I know what happened last night."

The servants looked up at him, as they iced their sore muscles and joints, answering simultaneously, "WHAT?"

"Yes. I knew." The Penultimate waved a hand, and the broken furniture began to repair itself of its own accord, "But I had to go away last night, to meet up with the Elementals. They were evaluating my efforts as Penultimate, and I couldn't miss it. And right in the middle of the Storm Sage's spiel about how much better I could have done smiting the enemies of Celadon, I had a vision. Drake was breaking in; he got his hands on Savior's bracelet; Brutus took it from him; tried to have the power for himself, to take my power; failed miserably. I hurried back as soon as I saw."

The servants looked at each other, relieved at the revelation. He wasn't angry at them, and he'd handle Drake and the traitors nicely, now that he was back. All truly was well.

"I suppose you'll want to be seeing how Savior is, then," Dyndron spoke up, rubbing his sore shoulder, "before you go to deal with Drake, Brutus, Linaea, Angel and Naiana?"

"Well, I'm sorry to say, but I believe that Zeus will be dealing with you first, Master Penultimate." there came another voice suddenly; everyone whipped around, still on edge, but were suddenly on edge for another reason; the one who stood (or rather, floated) before them, was Hermes, the messenger of the Greek gods, "His Olympian Highness wants a word with you, and with Savior. Now."

[ParallelanPrincess]

That's when I realized that rollerskates were absolutely amazing. Right away I made Hephaestus forge an absolutely adorable wheel charm for the Bracelet. He's absolutely amazing at what you mortals call...bling?

"I should visit him sometime, then. There are tons of gods I never met when I lived with Aphrodite,"

You lived with THEE Aphrodite?! Oh, she's lovely, isn't she? And she's done me my share of favors in the romance department...

"Were they really cute?"

'Cute' is an understatement. They were to DIE for!

Savior and Dionassa, her most recent predecessor, were having a heart to heart. To Terryffinda, who was tasked with waking Savior from her slumber, it looked as if the girl was talking in her sleep. Savior was no doubt dreaming about some boy.

And apparently, she'd lived with Aphrodite. That explained why the goddess of love had been talking to the Penultimate. In private. Obviously, they had been discussing Savior. Obviously...

"Ya coulda given me a better clue than those weird dreams. You didn't have to bust out some obscure symbolism on me." Savior grumbled rolling on to her stomach in her sleep.

"Savior, wake up! Now." Terryffinda ordered.

"Eros, I don't wanna clean the temple." Savior moaned, pulling the covers over her head, and rolling closer to the edge of the bed.

Terryffinda yanked the covers back.

"SAVIOR NINEOHEIGHT, WAKE UP THIS INSTANT!" The maid shouted into her ear.

"I'm u- OW!"

Savior had rolled onto the floor. The marble tile really hurt on impact.

"The sooner you get off the floor, the sooner we can prepare." Terryffinda said, helping Savior to her feet.

"For what? A lecture?"

"No." Terryffinda brushed off her dress, "Apparently some supernatural business..."

[ParallelanPrincess]

"Savior, how nice of you to join us." Hermes said.

Zeus's personal messenger was floating by the Penultimate looking rather annoyed. Then again Hermes was always upset when his duties as messenger were those of an errand boy.

"Lord Hermes." Savior acknowledged him by curtseying.

When the gods are upset that you completely and utterly screwed up, a little respect can make all the difference.

Hermes nodded in response and withdrew a scroll from his message satchel. Despite the bag's official name Savior saw the satchel was obviously a man purse. Pointing that out would not help her in the least, so Savior filed her observation away for later use.

"Lord Zeus has summoned Savior NineOhEight and the Penultimate to Mount Olympus. You shall attend a mandatory hearing with the Pantheon in regards to the theft of the Bracelet of Tyche. The two of you shall be personally escorted to Mount Olympus by Apollo. Do not keep me waiting. Sincerely, Lord Zeus. God of the Sky. King of the Greek Pantheon. Et ceterea, et cetera," Hermes read.

"Oh..great. I am going to be lectured," Savior said with a nervous laugh.

Zeus was going to strip away her godhood for sure. Could he do that? Of course he could it was Zeus for crying out loud!

Savior hung her head in despair. She was doomed. Doomed. Thanks a lot, Brutus.

[ParallelanPrincess]

To say the chariot ride with Apollo was uncomfortable was an understatement.

Savior was uncomfortable because she knew her life (and possibly afterlife) was over and Apollo might as well have been escorting her to the bottom of the River Styx.

The Penultimate was uncomfortable because the backseat of the chariot was not equipped with enough leg room.

Apollo was uncomfortable because he had no idea why he was playing chaffeur for the Penultimate and Tyche, but knew better to question a direct order from Zeus.

And so the trio made the most awkward ride in the history of Celadon to Mount Olympus in absolute silence.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Though when, at last, the three made it to Zeus' estate, a new silence befell Savior. Mount Olympus was undoubtedly the most beautiful place that she'd ever laid eyes on. If she were going to die anywhere, this was certainly the place to do it.

Olympus sparkled with the pure essence of beauty, harmony and majesty. The clouds curled about the base of the estate like a misty veil. The vegetation was so lush and youthful, touched by the immortal influences of various gods and goddesses. From different sides, seemingly sourceless waterfalls protruded from the rocks, and cascaded into oblivion. Around the main building were several smaller buildings, homes to lesser Olympians, stables for their immortal horses, storage for the gods' weapons and attributes. And Zeus' great palace itself roused still more amazement. So many rooms, so many shining towers with pointed roofs that gleamed like torches, so many gates, so many walls. It was a gleaming city in itself, even without the smaller houses and buildings that surrounded it.

And Savior had never seen anything situated so high up off the ground. She scooched over in her chair, for fear of falling, but the Penultimate nudged her back over to her side. He was already scrunched up.

"Alright, you two." Apollo, finally called back, "We've arrived. Now, all we have to do is--Oh, curse it all! Artemis took my parking spot again! She knows that space gives me the best view of the midday Sun! Ugh...fine, I'll just go park over there."

Apollo made his way over to a small, indistinct building, and set his chariot to make landfall.

"It's not nearly as nice here." He complained, "You can only see into the West...Ah, well, never mind. Come on, you two. We'd best be along. Or Zeus will have both your heads. Hehe, that is, if he doesn't plan to, already..."

The Penultimate and Savior exchanged glances. Hopefully, he was joking.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The three made their way from the lowest ledge of the Mount, and ascended a staircase of the finest marble. At the top lay the path to the mansion itself. Apollo led the way silently to the Gates of OIympus. It was he who would greet the Guardians of the Gate.

"Greetings, ladies and gents." He saluted them pleasantly, "This...is the Penultimate. Ruler of Celadon, as I'm sure you'll remember. His sponsors are the Elementals. And this...is the lady of the hour. Savior NineOhEight. That is, the new Tyche. Penultimate, I'm sure you remember the Guardians of the Gate. But, Savior, I'd like you to meet Heracles, god of heroes and heroic endeavor, and his sons. Aniketos is the god of unconquerable might and defense; Alexiares is the god of war prevention, and together they are gods of fortified town and citadel defense. And these--"

"We are the Horae." Interjected the stately woman with white hair, clad in silver, white and gentle blue, "I am Kheimon, Hora goddess of Winter."

"And I am the Hora goddess of Spring." Piped in a cheerful blonde, clad in pink and green, "My name is Eiar."

"I am called Theros." Said the one with reddish-blonde hair, clad in fiery orange and gold,  "The Hora goddess of Summer."

"And my name is Phthinophoron." the brunette clad in earth-tone colors gestured to herself, "You might have guessed, I'm the Hora goddess of Autumn."

Simultaneously the Guardians of the Gate graciously welcomed Tyche and the Penultimate, and then opened the huge and magnificent Gates. Up the courtyard they went, and finally into the manor of Zeus. Apollo turned around.

"Well, it looks like my job is done." He said, "I suppose I'll be seeing the two of you inside. Goodbye for now." And he strode casually down the hall, presumably to the courtroom.

When the Penultimate and Savior stepped forward, though, they were quickly stopped, by five sister goddesses, with similar gowns and similar blonde-hair, styled five different ways. Next to them, there stood a brunette, her brown hair barely touching her shoulders. The blondes spoke first.

"Hello. You must be Savior and the Penultimate." spoke the middle sister, "Yes, the Hora goddess of the Noon, Mesembria said you'd be here around this time. We are the Spondae, goddesses of treaties and contracts. We'll be handling any and all paperwork that needs doing to make sure that this trial is as quick and fair as possible."

"And I am Boule." spoke the brunette, "Goddess of the council. Which, in this case, would mean your jury. The trial won't last long, but I'll be here just to make sure they don't dawdle. Though, fortunately, Oknos, the god of delay and procrastination didn't make it --probably slept in, I'd guess-- so it looks like things will be handled rather quickly. And Krisis, goddess of judgment and decision, will be out when the verdict is ready to be delivered.  Now hurry along; inside we've got to get to Horkos, god of the oath, so that the two of you can be sworn in as soon as possible."

[ParallelanPrincess]

"Do you, the goddess Tyche, solemnly swear on the River Styx that you will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, with the goddess Aletheia as your witness, lest you be cast into Tartarus for all eternity?" Horkos asked.

Savior blanched. That was a tall order. Telling the truth came naturally to her, but the thing with Tartarus, the worst part of the underworld, seemed a bit harsh. When the gods punished you, they went all out.

"Yes," Savior said, swallowing although her throat was as dry as a desert.

Horkos nodded and moved to the Penultimate and asked him the same question substituting 'the goddess Tyche' with 'the Penultimate of Celadon.'

How the goddess could see while blindfolded was a mystery. Another mystery was why the Celadonian duo were being sworn in by title, rather than name.

Speaking of which...What was the Penultimate's name? There was no way his mom named him 'The Penultimate'. How did he even become the Penultimate anyway?

As Dike, goddess of justice, approached to escorted the two into the courtroom, Savior realized just how little she knew about the man on trial with her.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The aisle down which Savior and the Penultimate walked was lined with giant stands, like fancy gymnasium bleachers, but enough to seat a football or basketball stadium. In them, all manner of god and goddess, deified hero, demigod and nymph. At the very end of the walk, there sat the Olympians on a raised platform. The only one missing was about to make his appearance shortly. The Penultimate and Savior would stand at the defendant's stand until he entered.

"Hey, um..." Savior turned to the Penultimate, "How mad do you think he is?"

The Penultimate met her glance with silence, putting a finger to his lips. Here was the place to stay quiet until spoken to. He had witnessed proceedings like this before, and he knew for a fact that they took the process very serious. And worse still, when the gods said 'anything can and will be used against you in a court of law', they were not kidding.

And sure enough, shortly, the door up in the Olympians' elevated platform opened. Out of the door flew Hermes, to the podium to speak.

"All rise!" Hermes spoke, and those in the stands complied, "For the great and honorable, His Highness, His Majesty, the unquestioned Sovereign of Mount Olympus, father of gods and men, the unchallenged King of the Greek Pantheon, Zeus!"

The gods stood, even the Olympians on the raised platform. And out of the door there issued the sound of thunder, flashes of light and the crackling of electricity. Zeus stepped out, and made his way to the podium, motioning for Hermes to take his seat.

And when Hermes was seated, he motioned to everyone else, "You may all be seated. Now. It has come to my attention, Tyche, Penultimate, that your time on Celadon has been most eventful. And, at first, this seemed to be perfectly fine. Normal, even, for your status as goddess, and your status as Penultimate. However, most recently, events have escalated to a point that I find most troubling. A mortal got his hands on the Bracelet of Tyche."

Everyone in the stands gasped, causing the Penultimate and Savior to exchange worried glances. They didn't like where this seemed to be heading.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

"I'm not finished." Zeus put up a hand, and everyone immediately fell silent from their dismayed murmuring, "And this same human, Brutus Bonaparte, had plans to use the Bracelet of Tyche in order to assume control of Celadon, as Penultimate. In doing so, he would have quite literally triggered events that would lead to the doom of the planet, and all inhabitants within, as per the planet's prophecy. And had it not been for divine intervention, he would have been entirely successful. Have you got anything to say for yourself? Either of you?"

Savior grew more nervous still, and so did the Penultimate, before the thought crossed his mind; he spoke, "Wait. Um, Your Honor, Your Majesty...I actually do have something to say."

The crowd began again to murmur, and the Olympians looked uneasy, but Zeus put up a hand, "Alright. I'll allow it. But choose your words wisely. The goddess Prophasis will know when you make feeble excuses. The goddess Aletheia will know when you lie. And I won't tolerate a liar."

The Penultimate straightened himself, hoping his stature would not betray deception or excuses, "Okay, this is what happened. Savior has had the Bracelet for as long as she can remember. She usually wears it at all times, and doesn't let anyone touch it, or look at it, even for a second. One exception she made, to have it scanned for anomalies, and that was because she didn't know its true nature, since she only recently learned she was Tyche. The second exception she makes is when she sleeps. Again, she thought that the bracelet was safe in the care of myself and my servants."

"And you mean to say that the bracelet is not safe in the care of yourself and your servants?" came a female voice before Zeus could respond; it was Hera, and her remark caught the Penultimate off guard.

The crowd began to murmur again, and the Olympians looked at Hera; not that her brazenness had surprised them (she was never one to hold her tongue), but honestly. It was Zeus' hearing, and the question was a bit harsh. But the Penultimate steeled himself.

He exhaled deeply, and attempted to compose himself again, "It wasn't safe, because I wasn't as careful as I should have been. When I took on servants, I thought it would be enough to read their minds occasionally, occasionally travel into their dreams, to make sure that they were alright, and that they weren't occupied with ulterior motives. They agreed to allow me, as long as I didn't explore their innermost thoughts, or exploit their mental weaknesses for personal gain. But, the true weakness was obviously in me. I trusted my servants too deeply, and did not put them through enough scrutiny, in allowing them to work for me. For that...I take full blame."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The whole crowd seemed somewhat taken aback at the Penultimate's response, even Hera. In all honesty, she hadn't expected him to be honest, or to take responsibility for the problem; especially not for anything so grievous as the accusation that was laid before them. Still, she couldn't say it impressed her much. Nor did it seem to matter. It only mattered what Zeus decided, and that still had yet to be seen. At this point, it could go either way.

"I see." Zeus began, "Well, obviously, I am relieved by your honesty. Surely, you know, Penultimate, that in my line of work, mortals often think they can lie and cheat their way out of their judgments. Sisyphus, Tantalus, Salmoneus, Ixion...but I'm glad you're not one of them. Have you got anything to add, Tyche?"

Savior looked to the Penultimate, who did not return her glace. No chance could be taken in looking like her coaxed her answer. He was straight-faced, and Savior sighed.

"I'm sorry for being irresponsible." She started, "But I really didn't know that I was Tyche for a while. And when I heard the news, I didn't really take it serious, I guess. So I tried to go on with life like normal. And for me, that means taking off my bracelet every night, when I go to sleep, so I don't lose it. But, when I found out, I guess I should have asked the Penultimate if there was somewhere safe I could keep it. He shouldn't get all the blame; I was wrong, too."

The response from the stands was mixed. Some seemed to murmur approval, but others weren't so sure. It sounded like she was simply taking the Penultimate's lead. Surely otherwise, a girl so young would be too fearful of punishment to take responsibility for their actions. Even the Olympians were divided on how to take Savior's words. Fortunately, though, it was up to Zeus, not any of them. And he seemed on the verge of delivering his decision.

The King of the Gods eyed the two seriously for a moment. Not angry, just stern, like a parent about to tell you how disappointed they are in you. And deep down, Savior was hoping that Zeus' stern look would be the worst of the punishment. But he wouldn't let his proud name be besmirched by going easy on them; with Tyche a goddess, and the Penultimate favored by the Elementals, light punishment would be seen as nothing short of special treatment.  Though, on the same note, going too hard on them would be unfair, and would make him look like he was trying to hard to be tough; it was pitiful and unnecessary.

And so Zeus deliberated deeply, and a storm cloud coalesced over his head, rumbling grudgingly with thunder, as though advising him in his decision.

Aphrodite stood, "Oh, Zeus, be reasonable! Can't you tell they're being sincere? Let them--!"

"Be quiet!" Hera snapped, yanking Aphrodite's gown to sit her back down, before turning to her husband, "Please, darling, proceed with your verdict."

Zeus nodded pleasantly to her, "Thank you, my love. I always did like the way you keep order. But, as for my verdict..."

"I am not through." Aphrodite spoke again, still sitting, but now growing emotional, "Zeus...your children are here. Astraia, goddess of innocence, tell your father that Tyche and the Penultimate had no hand in the wrong that transpired last night! Arete, goddess of virtue, tell your father that the Penultimate and Tyche's intentions were good! Soter, Soteria, twin god and goddess of salvation, weigh on your father's heart, to set the defendants free! Calocagatheia, goddess of nobility, tell your father not to betray the dignity of his sovereign name with harsh judgment! And lastly...by the daughter Aphrodite that Zeus bore with Dione in the past, if you are heavy-handed in your dealings, so help me, you will find the rest of your immortal days loveless and barren as all the depths of Erebus!"

The Olympians were shocked, struck silent by Aphrodite's sudden and deep anger; the last anyone else had been seen so angry, Eris hadn't been invited to the wedding party of Thetis and Peleus. And everyone knew what happened after that; Golden Apple; Prince Paris and Helen of Troy; Trojan War; every mortal even remotely related to the gods at that party, dead, by the most violent means. It was never a good idea to scorn a goddess.

That thought freshly in mind, Zeus looked back at Aphrodite, still menacing him. Her Erotes in the crowd menaced him as well; Eros had his arms crossed, and Anteros clacked his fingers on his bow threateningly. And the Charites who sat beside them, seemed to avoid meeting his glance, as though saying that they, too, were willing to strip him of their blessings. And Dike's sisters, Eunomia, goddess of good civil order, and Eirene, goddess of peace, seemed disconcerted with where his judgment seemed to be heading. Would they, too, shun Zeus, in the event of a judgment they saw as unfair? What would that mean for the world?

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Savior's uneasiness seemed to be rubbing off on the Penultimate; he was getting increasingly more fidgety, and it looked like he just might have a good reason. Zeus didn't even seem quite sure of what he was about to decide, what verdict he was about to decree. And when his brain stormed, and his bolt could not easily settle the problem, that made for big problems all around. It almost never ended well for the defendant party.

Savior turned to the Penultimate, "Hey, um...can you read his mind? Can you tell what he's about to say?"

"Well, I've never tried." The Penultimate replied, not taking his eyes off of Zeus as he deliberated, "My guess, it would be like sticking my head into a running microwave, with a tinfoil helmet on."

"Dang..." Savior frowned, "And you think it's the same with everyone else here?"

"All except a few nymphs and demigods", the Penultimate said, "I'm pretty sure that everybody here has some kind of mental defense that I wouldn't be able to bypass, without risk of some mental and/or physical--"

"Fortunately for you", Zeus broke in abruptly, "I will ignore the fact that the two of you contemplate an attempt to penetrate my thoughts. I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and chalk it up to the stress you two are currently under. That being said...attendants, come with me to the back. I've nearly decided."

Deities stood, and made their way toward the back room, following Zeus. Savior couldn't see, but the Penultimate made them out easily. Nemesis, goddess of righteous indignation and divine retribution. Poena, goddess of punishment and retaliation. Eleutherios and Eleutheria, twin god and goddess of freedom. Krisis, Dike, Boule and the Spondae. Moros, god of doom. And Cleros, god the voting lot, to take tally of their votes.

The wait was tense. The crowd began to murmur again; some were worried, some seemed most sure of the defendants' guilt or innocence. Among those petitioning for their freedom, of course, was Aphrodite. From the raised platform, she looked down at Savior and the Penultimate, mouthing the words, 'Don't worry. It will be okay..."

But the two weren't so sure. Zeus had turned folks into stone, turned them into trees, struck them with lightning, even banished folks into the pits of Tartarus for offenses that most mortal judges deemed unworthy even of attention. What exactly did he consider 'going easy'? What, to the King of the Gods, was a slap on the wrists?

Still more time passed, and eventually, they were allowed to go to recess to eat a meal prepared by Demeter and her attendants. But even their sense-stimulating delicacies could only barely take the Penultimate and Savior's minds off of what potentially lay ahead for them. The suspense was torture.

And yet, the thought of finding out didn't seem so appealing when, at last, Hermes burst through the door, announcing that now was the time tor find out the verdict. Entering the courtroom again was tense and anxious for nearly everyone, except Zeus, who finally looked relieved. He loved the fact that his kin were so smart, so he didn't have to be all the time. He called Poena and Astraia to either side of him, and motioned to Krisis to step forward with the verdict. As she unfolded the scroll, the crowd fell silent.

"The acts that were perpetrated on the night previous, were carried out by mortals. Two men, and three women, conspiring to usurp the throne of the rightful ruler of Celadon. They were clever in avoiding the Penultimate's notice, coming at a time when the Penultimate had to be away. They were insidious, turning the Penultimate's own magics against him. And they preyed upon the helplessness of a young girl Savior who, divine though she was, had been raised for most of her life, as mortal. They manipulated, plotted, planned and schemed, and due to their cunning, nearly no one was present to stop them. It was only by the intervention of Tyche herself that the Penultimate's title was spared. As such, it can be said that no crime has conspired, other than on the part of those mortals. And as repayment for the Penultimate's inconvenience, the Court of Olympus relinquished to him full right and jurisdiction to deal out their fair justice."

The court erupted into cheers. Justice had prevailed, after all. The Penultimate sighed in relief, and Savior found herself jumping up and down, ecstatic at the news. Then Krisis finished.

"However..." Krisis waited until everyone settled down, before continuing, "However, measures must not only be taken to punish the offense. Measures must also be taken to prevent such a heinous transgression against the gods and the denizens of Celadon from ever happening again. And that measure is in Zeus' jurisdiction to take. His judgment is as follows: Tyche is hereby placed on divine probation, of the lowest order. She is to take no penalty, no harm is to be inflicted upon her, but her bracelet is not to leave her wrist for any reason whatsoever. Not as she bathes, not as she sleeps. If it comes off for any reason, and stays off for more than a minute's time, the two of you will be held personally responsible. The Penultimate will be shunned from all Olympian contact indefinitely, and Savior will be placed into the personal care of various Olympians, removed from the Mortal Plane until such time as she completes her divine training."

[ParallelanPrincess]

Zeus cast his gaze from Krisis to Savior. Savior stared at the space next to Zeus' head. She couldn't look the King of the Greek Pantheon in the eyes most days let alone after he had turned her bracelet into a pair of handcuffs.

"Do you understand and accept your sentence, Savior?" Zeus asked.

"Yes, Lord Zeus." Savior mumbled.

"Very well. The court is adjourned. Return to your duties, my children."

The Pantheon rose at once and bowed to Zeus before gathering their things to leave.

Savior turned to the Penultimate.

"What now? According to Zeus, we're gonna be together for a long, long time." Savior said quietly.

"Indeed", the Penultimate responded as he watched the various gods and goddesses file out of the courtroom. "And believe me, you're not the only one that's gonna need to get used to the idea. This has been a very LONG --INTERESTING, but LONG-- month. And I think we could both use a little vacation first."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

"En garde, you mangy mutt!"

The skinny blades crossed, once, twice, again and again; the metallic clanging grew almost rhythmic. Wise narrowed his eyes, relishing his canine rival's sudden disadvantage.

"Touché, kitty cat!" Sapient riposted, thrusting his sword hopefully.

Wise was unimpressed, "Not quite, pooch! You'll have to try harder than THAT to snuff out one of MY nine lives!"

"You parry like a girl!" Sapient's tail started wagging, as the fight's momentum began turning in his favor.

Left, right, jab, parry, thrust, riposte, over the couch, around the Penultimate's Venus de Milo, a skilled metallic tug of war. Sapient drew closer and closer, and Wise grew clumsier and clumsier in his nervous frustration. Finally, Sapient thought, finally, I'll beat this fleabag feline after a streak of rather humiliating losses--!

"WISE!" the call split the air like nails on a chalkboard, "SAPIENT!"

Sapient turned from the fight, frustrated, "WHAT?!"

It was Wise's sister, Sage, standing at the doorway"The Penultimate and Savior are back from their meeting! Oh, and Wise, darling, I believe Sapient's left an opening!"

Doink! Sapient looked down, only to see the point of the slender blade poked into his chest fur yet again.

"TOUCHE!" He waved back to his canine rival with a grin, as he hurried out of the room, "It was fun while it lasted, mutt! But the Master's home, and I couldn't afford to carry on the charade any longer! Maybe you'll get me next time!"

[ParallelanPrincess]

"Welcome back, Master." The servants said in unison as the Penultimate and Savior walked through the door.

Noticing Savior's hurt look, they quickly added "Welcome back, Savior."

"How was the trial?" Nikolai whispered  the Penultimate as Savior scampered to Bridgette.

"Fair. Savior's on probation."  the Penultimate responded as he heard Savior complaining about having sore wrists for all eternity.

"Probation? I've never heard of a goddess on probation." said Nikolai.

"True, it is an unusually tame punishment. I suspect a harsher sentence mught have caused an uproar in the Pantheon."

The Penultimate knew Aphrodite was to thank for their success. He would have to find time to properly show his gratitude. Perhaps when he returned from vacation he could visit her temple in Parallela.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

For now, though, preparations had to be made. As Savior greeted everyone and complained to them about the terms of her probation, the Penultimate called Zei and Nikolai to the side, away from the others for a second.

"Yes, master?" Zei anticipated.

The Penultimate sighed deeply and then tented his fingers, "Savior's probation will be just as taxing on me as it will be on her. You understand that, right?"

Nikolai and Zei nodded.

"Good", the Penultimate continued,"Because I have the faintest feeling; I may have involved myself more intimately in the affairs of the divine than I originally intended, or expected. Savior is Tyche, whether I can believe it or not, and whether she wants to accept it or not. She got light treatment this time, but even if she should do something in the future to get worse punishment, she won't be the only one held responsible."

Zei looked down for a second, contemplating, "...I think I know what you're getting at, Master."

"I...I'm not sure I follow, sire." Nikolai blinked, "Are the implications as dire as I think?"

The Penultimate confirmed with a solemn nod.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

"We're going on vacation." The Penultimate announced, returning back to Savior and the servants, "Myself, Nikolai, Zei, Bridgette and Savior. Something of a tour, really. New lands, new worlds, to get Savior started on her studies in diplomacy, culture, literature and mythology."

The servants looked impressed, congratulating Savior on the opportunity, and playfully voicing their own envy. But the Penultimate cocked his head to the side the way he usually did when they had started talking before he was finished, and they fell silent for him again.

"Nikolai, Dyndron, I would like her bags packed by tonight. When we set off tomorrow, I don't want there to be anything we have to postpone or turn back for. Understand."

"Yes, sire." The two bowed, and headed off.

"And Terryffinda, you'll keep everyone on task?"

"I will, my liege." Terryffinda curtsied, "If Techne will show me how, I'll have Computress organize everyone's duties for maximum efficiency."

That left only one matter to attend to.

"And Dyris..." The Penultimate turned to her, "where is Brutus? Where are his accomplices?"

The maid looked down at her shoes, spoke just above a whisper, "We laid them in the observatory. But Brutus hasn't been responsive since we found him. He just stares, wide-eyed, a very vacant expression--"

"Good." The Penultimate turned and headed for the observatory, "Then Tyche's decree already went into effect. That means I'll be away for a little bit. Not long. Likely about ten, fifteen minutes. Twenty, tops. When I get back, though, I'd like Wise, Sapient, Sage, Id, Ego and the Kitty of Doom washed up thoroughly. And my bath should be drawn as well. Take with you what maids and butlers you require to get the job done."

[ParallelanPrincess]

"A vacation is just what the healer ordered," Savior sighed plopping on her bed. Between the Kitty of Doom, Jungle Girl, Brutus, and  Zeus, she needed a good nap.

Bridgette sat on the windowsill pensievely staring at the manor's grounds. Across the grounds, she could see one of Techne's drones repairing the window she and Naiana had crashed through, Bridgette rubbed her shoulder. It was still a little sore and the glass hadn't cut that deep.

"You alright over there?" Savior asked as she watched Bridgette poke her bandaged arm.

"It's only a few bruises from last night. I'll be fine in a day or so. How are you doing? You've been through a lot lately."

Bridgette sat beside Savior on the bed. Bridgette was still having a bit of trouble wrapping herself around the whole child goddess concept. Until it made sense (or was a bit more believable), Savior was still a promising young lady placed under her care.

"I'm good.This vacation/ tour of duty thing seems like a nice change of pace. It'd be awesome if I could take the Bracelet off every once and awhile, but it could be much. much worse. Zeus could have turned me into a four leaf clover. The best part of all this is that I can finally get out of this manor!"

[Celadon's Penultimate]

"I can't believe how close you came to getting out of this manor." The Penultimate's eyes narrowed, and he leaned over Brutus' incapacitated body, "How close you came to being the very destruction of Celadon! You knew my place here, what role I hold. And despite that, you regarded me not with respect or loyalty, but with envy, or jealousy, or hatred, or whatever, that was so overpowering, you couldn't help yourself. And you found your fellow snakes, and conspired against me..."

Brutus simply lay there, unmoving, unresponsive, face emotionless in his fate-imposed sleep. The Penultimate dared not delve into Brutus' mind, though; not now. He was sure that whatever he found there, right at that moment, would surely send him over the edge. And going over the edge might serve just as well as if Brutus and his co-conspirators had succeeded. Still, he couldn't tolerate the silence.

The Penultimate felt himself tensing; he growled through gritted teeth, "...LOOK AT ME WHEN I AM TALKING TO YOU."

The sheer force in the Penultimate's voice sent a wave through Brutus' body, shocking the manservant's senses, and wrenching his body back into animation. Brutus writhed at first, gasped deeply as though taken in possession, and finally coughed out the last of his suspended animation.

Drake watched in silence as Naiana, Angel and Linaea woke from their unconsciousness as well. Neither he nor the Penultimate would speak again until the four servants could.

Linaea was first to speak, though still a bit groggy from that hit over the head, "...Sire? Wha-what's going on?"

The Penultimate blanched at her voice; he very briefly considered sealing her mouth again, "You've all crossed me for the last time."

"My liege--?"

"Don't toy with me, Angel." The Penultimate snapped, "I don't like mind games. Especially not from people in your positions. Brutus my butler, you three my maids."

"Well, yeah, but I'm not--" The Penultimate shot Drake a glance that would turn Medusa to stone, and he was silent.

"That wasn't nearly the point." The Penultimate menaced, "The point is that you all were in on a scheme to overthrow me. And more importantly, a scheme to jeopardize all of Celadon, just to gain a power never intended for any of you. A power with greater connections to the essence of fate than can be enclosed to the history of Celadon alone."

"N-no, wait!" Drake struggled in the rope bindings, his expression growing frantic, "Penultimate, I had no idea their plan was to overthrow you! C'mon, now, you know me! I'm in for big pay, I steal plenty of stuff, artifacts, loot, treasure, but I got no ambitions! Not for power! I don't want to rule Celadon! And, even though you're getting me put in jail all the time, I like you! Really! You're a no-nonsense, stand-up kinda guy! If I had known, I'd never have--"

Angel, Naiana and Linaea menaced him hatefully. Brutus closed his eyes, sighed, and lay back down on the table. This would not be good.

"...You...you're not lying." The Penultimate cocked his head to the side, "That's...kind of shocking. But I guess I should have suspected as much. If he tricked me, he could trick you. But you won't be tricking me anymore, I assure you Brutus Bonaparte. Not you, or any of your cohorts here. I've got just the remedy for my problem with the likes of you."

His eyes and hands aglow, he raised his hands and levitated a foot off the ground. The thief's and the servants' eyes widened in pure terror. A light washed over every inch of the room, and they could suddenly hear whispers.

Their screams resounded down the halls, followed by a deafening silence.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

"Wha--? What was that?" Savior turned around, feeling chills down her spine.

Bridgette took Savior by the hand, "Just...wait her a second. I'll go and see--"

"There's no need." The Penultimate put up a hand, as he entered the room, "I've handled the problem."

Bridgette sat on the arm of Savior's chair, "...Really? Wh-where's Brutus? Where's Drake?"

The Penultimate said, "Drake is right here."

He waved a hand, and Drake appeared, his hands cuffed behind his back. Bridgette crossed her arms, frowning a bit.

"And Brutus...?"

"Brutus and the girls are where they need to be." The Penultimate looked down, "Where they will pose no threat to Celadon, or to Savior, or to me. And after Drake here gets hauled off to Worhammr Island Prison, he'll be where he belongs, too. Marko, send word to Tyr Krakskul that I'll need he and Miryuho for the job. I imagine they'll appreciate a trip to their homeland, anyway. And Savior?"

Savior shrunk a bit in her seat, "Um...yes?"

"I'd suggest you get washed up. If I know Ivan as well as I think I do, dinner should be soon, and afterward, bed. No TV, we'll be getting up sort of early, and I want you bright-eyed when we get where we're going."

Marko called Rion and Willis to help him hold Drake, and The Penultimate departed. Hopefully, Techne and Computress would be up for tea and cake, and maybe a little gaming with them, Wise and Sapient before bed.