Chapter 1
(Nico's P.O.V)
Warning: none
I was trying to shadow travel to Manhattan when I felt an odd pulling sensation and instead
ended up in the underworld with my father glaring down at me.
"What do you want?" I asked Hades, putting an edge in my voice.
"I'm sending you on another quest." Hades said.
"What is it this time?" I started to ask, then stopped and answered myself,
"You've lost your sword again, haven't you?"
"I didn't lose it, someone stole it." Hades growled, shadows starting to swirl around him.
I decided not to push my luck. Even though Hades was my father, I knew the god wouldn't
hesitate to vaporize me.
"Very well, do you have any idea where it might be?"
It was becoming increasingly hard to keep my voice from cracking under my father's penetrating
gaze. I wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"The shadows will take you there. One last thing, if you fail me, your new home will be in the
Fields of Punishment."
"Yes father." I said, hoping with all my might that fear hadn't crept into my voice. I did not
wish to appear weak and give Hades the satisfaction of scaring his son. One second, I was
standing in the underworld, the next, I was engulfed by shadows.
I'd never been this far in shadow travel. It took so long that I had started to wonder if I'd
ever get out again when I was suddenly standing in front of a huge castle. The grounds around
me were grassy and behind me loomed a forest that reminded me much of the one at Camp
Half-Blood. Exhaustion crept through my muscles and I knew that it'd be some time before I
could manage to try something like that again.
Guess I'm staying here a while, then. I thought as I walked up to the doors and pushed
them open.
"Hello?" I called. No answer, so I took a tentative step inside. I was now in a huge room
with a changing ceiling that mimicked the clear sky outside. As I closed the doors, I heard a
threatening voice behind me. I stiffened.
"Who are you?" The voice demanded.
I turned to see that it belonged to a silvery blonde kid in odd-looking robes that was pointing
some sort of stick at me. On either side of the speaker were a couple other kids, two of which
were so big that, to a normal human, would be quite intimidating. I wasn't scared, I have
handled much worse, after all.
"I'm the Ghost King," I said casually, "and you are?"
"Draco Malfoy, and I'm a perfect so you better listen to me." Draco tapped a badge on his chest,
"Why are you here?" he said snottily. He was starting to get on my nerves, but I pushed my
Annoyance - and the shadows crouding around me - away.
"Well, Draco, this is a rather nice place, but that only causes a problem for me. I'm looking for
something, and I've got to hurry to bring it back to my father before he gets impatient and
vaporizes me."
"I'm afraid your father won't have that honor. Avada Kervada!" a green light flashed from
Draco's stick and I had just enough time to duck before the spell hit the door right behind where
I'd been. As I got to my feet again, I used much of the enegry I had left to stop myself from
attacking this kid.
"What are you?" I asked.
Draco looked taken aback for a moment, but regained his posture quickly.
"I'm a wizard, this is a wizarding school, though I don't have any idea as to how you've found it
seeing as you're a stupid muggle." behind Draco, the two other boys snickered.
"What's a muggle?" I asked, curious at this boy's strange choice of words.
"You are. A regular human." Draco said, with "this guy's an idiot" written all over his face.
I couldn't help but laugh at this. I laughed so hard, my ribs began to ache
"Why are you laughing?" Draco demanded.
I think it's safer if I don't give them the details I thought, regaining control of myself
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you. However, I guess my name won't hurt. I'm Nico Di Angelo"
"Well, Nico, what makes you think that you can take me?" Draco said in a mocking voice.
"You'd be surprised. Anyway, you're wasting my time. Who watches over you sorry little
slugs?"
Draco's face redend and he opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a much deeper voice.
"I do." said an old man in dark blue robes of which had golden stars on them. "And I don't
appreciate you insulting my students"
"Who are you?" I asked, becoming slightly wary at my increasing number of enemies.
"You may call me Professor Dumbledor" The man said.
"Ok then, Professor, may I have a word? Alone." I said with fake modesty, adding the last
part when I saw Draco take a step forward. I wasn't in the mood for politeness, so my words
came out harsher than intended. Dumbledore regarded me coldly for a second, then sighed.
"Very well, follow me" He said, striding off into a deeper part of the castle. I followed.