A/N: This is the first story I've ever posted!

This one-shot is set a little after the Hidden Oracle, before the Dark Prophecy

"Duck!"

Will dropped to the ground as a wave of scorching flames blazed above him. The Chimera roared, baring its teeth. Its lion's mane was crusted with old blood. Its long serpent tail whipped around, the snake head hissing and spitting out a spray of venom that sizzled on the snow.

Nico swung his Stygian iron sword at the beast, avoiding both its fire-breathing lion head and poisonous snake tail. It was snowing lightly, and flecks of snow were caught in the Chimera's mane.

They hadn't planned for a fight, though of course being demigods they were always on the lookout.

By now they should have been at the Jackson/Blofis apartment, relaxing. They'd planned to spend the weekend in New York with Percy and Annabeth, who were already there waiting for them. Annabeth had just gotten back from her 'family thing' in Boston. Nico had shadow-traveled them here from camp, though they were a bit off course.

The two of them hadn't noticed the Chimera while walking- Will absolutely refused to let Nico try and shadow-travel again. After all, who would've suspected that the little Chihuahua in a rhinestone collar was a monster in disguise?

So it had come as a complete surprise when the Chihuahua had charged them, breathing fire. Its body expanded, transforming from a small yapping dog to a weird mix of lion, snake, and for some reason, goat.

With its claws elongated and teeth bared, the Chimera was terrifying.

Though it still wore the glittery collar, which must have expanded with the monster.

The Chimera turned on Nico, who stepped to the side and with one fluid motion sliced off the snake. Crimson blood splattered on the snow.

The beast growled in pain and pounced for the son of Hades. Nico escaped, and the Chimera chased after him.

Unlike Nico, Will wasn't much of a fighter. He had the basic camp training, but he much preferred healing. Since they were leaving Camp Half-Blood's magical boundaries, he'd brought a weapon just in case.

The son of Apollo came up from behind, pulling out the Celestial bronze knife. He stepped around the monster and stabbed it in the side.

The Chimera roared angrily, turning. As it did, Nico closed in.

Flames erupted from the monster's mouth. Will dodged just in time, instinctively closing his eyes.

When he opened them again, the monster was gone.

In its place was a pile of dust, which continued to disintegrate until only a faint stain and some footprints remained. The severed snake lay to its side.

Beside the Chimera's ashes stood Nico di Angelo, black sword still out in front of him.

"Gross."

Will made his way over, nudging the snake with his shoe.

"What do we do with this?"

Nico lifted it gingerly with his blade and dumped it in a nearby trash can.

"There."

He sheathed his sword.

"Okay, let's go. You have the directions?"

Will took out the map with Percy's address jotted down.

"Yeah… it should be this way."

They crossed to the sidewalk.

"It's not far, maybe fifteen minutes."

The snow was picking up. Adrenaline fading, Will shivered.

"I'm freezing," he complained. "I forgot to bring a coat."

Nico rolled his eyes. "It's fifteen minutes, you'll be fine."

"I'll die of hypothermia."

"It's just a bit of cold. Aren't you supposed to be a doctor? That's not how it works."

They crossed the next street, the son of Apollo shivering and chattering his teeth the entire time.

"Oh, fine," Nico relented, unzipping his coat. "We'll share."

A minute later, they'd managed to make it work. The two demigods half-walked, half-stumbled along the sidewalk, huddled under Nico's jacket. They headed to the Jackson's apartment, bickering.

"Stop hogging the jacket!"

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Oh, whatever."

Nico stepped on Will's foot and he yelped.

"Ow!"

"Ha."

"Hmph."

"Are we almost there?"

"You've asked that six times!"

"It's taking forever and I'm cold."

"Oh, now you're cold?"

"Shut up, Solace."

"Nope."

"If you'd just let me shadow-travel…"

"Absolutely not."

"Next time I'm letting you freeze."

I'm taking requests for one-shots, there are a few rules for things I will or won't write in my bio.

Please review!