Work Title: Nina's Destiny

Author: MeggieBlack

Summary: Growing up in Manhattan, Antonina Jackson was used to strange things. It hardly bothered her at all when she became friends with two, slightly odd twelve year olds. Almost nothing could catch her off guard, except maybe finding out she was a muggleborn witch, or that her dad's a Greek god. But what about when her two best friends turn out to be not so normal either? Born into three separate worlds Antonina needs to learn how to harness her magic while dealing with two different prophecies.

Main Pairing: Apollo/Antonina

Side Pairings: Lavender Brown/Perseus Jackson; Parvati Patil/Leo Valdez; Jason Grace/Piper McLean; Sirius Black/OC; Remus Lupin/Nymphadora Tonks; Frank Zhang/Hazel Levesque; Nico di Angelo/Will Solace (As more come up, I will add them)

Chapter Word Count: 2,308

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, or Harry Potter. They belong to their amazing authors. I do own Nina and everything else you do NOT recognize.

Revision Date: July 29, 2015

Chapter Eighteen: Echidna and the Chimera

Nina's POV

That night, we camped out in a clearing close to the road. There were beer and soda cans littered all over the ground. Teenagers had used this spot to party. Grover had looked sadly at the ground before climbing up into a tree and lying down. I guess being a satyr made him really connected to the earth. Percy leant back against the tree Grover was sitting in, and they started talking. I wanted to give them some privacy, so I walked away and curled up on the ground near Annabeth.

"Hey," Annabeth mumbled. I looked up to see her in the tree above me.

"How's it going," I said, craning my neck to be able to see her.

"Good, I guess," she sighed. "This isn't how I expected my first quest to go. I thought it would be easier."

"Yeah," I said. "This isn't how I expected my summer back from school to go."

Annabeth giggled a little. "I guess you just got sucked up from one crazy world to the next," she laughed. I nodded. "Well, I'm going to sleep," she said. "Night."

"Night," I mumbled back. I closed my eyes and instantly fell asleep.

The next morning, I was awoken by the sun. The rays of light were just peeking through the trees. It was beautiful. I had always thought the sun was beautiful. I looked around. There was no one else awake.

"Nina?" Annabeth mumbled from above me. I looked up. "Can you move a bit, so I don't land on you?"

"Sure," I said. I moved to the side to make room for the other girl. She smiled at me as she landed next to me.

"Anyone else awake?" she asked. I was about to shake my head when I saw Grover moving.

"Hey, guys," he said, standing up and stretching. "There any food?"

"I'll go find some," Annabeth volunteered. "I'm sure there's more food in Medusa's lair."

"I'll come too," I said. "I highly doubt wandering around alone is a good idea."

"Probably," Annabeth agreed.

Annabeth and I started off in the direction we had come from last night. It was a short, silent walk. We quickly made our way through the supply of food Medusa had and brought it back to where we had been camping. Percy was still sleeping, and Grover was sitting on the ground with a pink ball of fluff in his lap. A poodle?

"Hey, guys," Grover said to us, grinning. "This is Gladiola. Say hello."

"Hello, Gladiola," Annabeth said. She rolled her eyes fondly at Grover. I wondered how long they had known each other.

"Hello," I said.

I sat down next to Percy and poked his cheek. He groaned and opened one eye.

"What?" he asked.

"Food," I replied, holding up my bag of chips. There hadn't been much in the way of breakfast in Medusa's lair.

The food seemed to get Percy's attention. He immediately sat down and grabbed one of the bags Annabeth and I had brought back. He was halfway through his bag of chips before he even noticed the poodle in Grover's lap.

"Who's the poodle?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow at Grover.

"Percy, meet Gladiola. Gladiola, Percy." Gladiola yipped at Percy.

"I'm not saying hello to a pink poodle. Forget it," Percy said.

"Percy, I said hello to the poodle. You say hello to the poodle," Annabeth said.

"C'mon, Perce, I said hello to the Gladiola," I encouraged Percy.

Gladiola growled at my brother. Percy said hello to Gladiola.

"So what's Gladiola doing all the way out here?" I asked Grover.

Grover explained to us how he'd found Gladiola in the woods and how he'd struck up conversation with the poodle. Apparently satyrs can talk to animals. Gladiola's owners had posted a $200 reward for their lost pet. Gladiola was willing to be brought back to them if it would help Grover. That reward would buy us train tickets west.

The money we received from Gladiola's owners was enough to buy us all tickets west on the Amtrak train. Two days passed, and things were running smoothly. The only real problem was the picture the tourist had taken of Percy and me getting off the bus after we were attacked by furies. Now both Percy and I were wanted by the police.

Eleven-year-olds Perseus and Antonina Jackson, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of their mother two weeks ago, are shown here fleeing from the bus where they accosted several elderly female passengers. The bus exploded shortly on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after the Jacksons fled the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the twins may be traveling with two teenage accomplices. Their stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a cash reward for information leading to their capture.

Annabeth told us not to worry. Something about mortal police not being able to find us, but she didn't sound so sure. Percy and I spent the majority of our time either pacing the length of the train because of our ADHD or looking out the window. Once, I saw a family of centaurs grazing (the youngest one waved to me), and another time, I saw a large, golden lion roaming the plains. The money got us as far as Denver. That would have been fine with me, if we had seats in the sleeping car, but nope, we had to sleep in the seats. Great.

It was hard to fall asleep, and when I did I was getting weird dreams.

The room was black. The only light came from two torches, both glowing with green fire. In between the two torches was a throne made from what looked like human bone. A man with curly, black, shoulder-length hair was sat on the throne. He looked as if he was sleeping. In the shadows, I could just barely make out the the guards; skeletons with only shredded remains of army uniforms for clothing. I knew where I was.

"Lord Hades?" I asked nervously. This man, no, god, ordered my mother's death. What would he do to me?

"My niece," the god said. He opened his eyes. They were a harsh, deadened black, as dark as his hair. "The brave Antonina Jackson. Apollo and Artemis speak very fondly of you."

I blushed. I couldn't help it. Why was Hades being so nice to me? I wasn't sure how to reply to what Hades had said. He didn't seem to mind my silence.

"I am misunderstood, dear niece," he continued. He clasped his hands in his lap. "I do not need to start a war, child. I have more than enough subjects as it is. The real god you need to worry about is out for blood.

"Who?" I asked. "If you didn't have the bolt stolen, then who did?"

"That I cannot tell you, niece," Hades sighed. "You must learn that for yourself."

"If you won't tell me that, will you tell me why you killed my mother?"

"How else to get the two children of my brother to the Underworld?" Hades asked. "Your mother is not dead, Antonina. She is alive, and upon your appearance in my palace, I shall return her to you."

"Thank you, Uncle," I said. I couldn't help the large grin that lit up my face. My mother wasn't dead! I would be able to see her again.

"You must wake now, niece," Hades warned. He stood from his throne. "Good luck on your quest."

The train was pulling into the terminal in St. Louis when I woke up. Annabeth dragged us all out to see the Gateway Arch. I kind of wanted to see it too, so I wasn't really complaining. Annabeth led us through the underground museum, and I found myself fascinated as she talked on and on about all the different little facts about the monument. Annabeth was like a warehouse of random facts. Of course, the blue jellybeans Percy kept passing me only added to my enjoyment of the whole thing.

Grover, Percy, Annabeth, and I were all stuffed into an elevator with a huge lady. I hated to be rude, well, no, I didn't really care, but this lady was like twice the size of Gabe. She had this little chihuahua with her too. The size difference and Percy and me snickering into our hands and covering it up with pretend coughing fits. I remained silent as Annabeth, Percy, and Grover talked to the woman about what we were doing there and where are parents were. As the lady kept talking, I started to get more and more suspicious. Normal people didn't ask that many questions.

I was relieved to be finally out of the elevator when the doors dinged open. Annabeth and I instantly moved to the glass observation deck. The view was incredible. Percy stuck by me with a few feet in between us. He kept fidgeting nervously as he looked around. I mentally snapped myself as I realized my brother's discomfort. How could I forget about his claustrophobia?

"Hey, Annabeth," I called over to the blond girl. She turned her head to face me. "I think maybe we should leave. It's about closing time."

I thanked all the gods I could think of that it really was only ten minutes to closing time. Percy was getting more and more uncomfortable as time went on.

"Okay," Annabeth agreed, but she didn't really look happy about it. She got into the elevator along with Grover and an older couple. Percy and I were about to get in when a park ranger stopped us.

"Next car, please," the man said.

Percy and I had to stand back as the doors closed on Annabeth and Grover. Now, it was just Percy and me, a small family of three, the park ranger, and the fat lady and her chihuahua. Great. The lady was grinning creepily at me, and I took a step back into Percy's side. My twin wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Was that my imagination, or was — no. The lady was definitely growing fangs and scales. Next to her, the chihuahua grew larger and larger until its head touched the ceiling.

Its head was that of a lion with a blood-caked mane. It had the body and hooves of a goat, and a great snake for its tail. On its collar, I could just make out CHIMERA-RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS-IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS-EXT. 954. Oh gods, Percy and I were screwed.

I whipped my wand out. I needed to think straight. I needed to protect the mortals. I only knew one shield charm, though. Oh well, Protego would have to do. I quickly cast the charm, protecting the four mortals in the room. The little boy was crying into his mother's legs.

I put my wand back away. I didn't know enough defensive spells to be able to help. Quirrell hadn't been the best professor after all. Percy had already pulled out his sword, Riptide. Instinctively, my fingers flew to the charm bracelet Apollo had gifted me for Christmas. In the back of my mind, I vaguely wondered if gods even celebrated Christmas. My mind focused on what I wanted, and, sure enough, the bow Artemis had given me for Christmas appeared in my hands, a full quiver of arrows across my back. I had never been more glad I had practiced shooting on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest.

I began to circle the Chimera. I just needed to find an opening. The Chimera opened its mouth and seemed to belch fire at where Percy and I had just crossed paths. We both leaped out of the way, letting the flames hit the metal flooring, leaving a large, gaping hole in the floor. I went back to circling. Percy swung his sword at the Chimera's neck, but it bounced harmlessly off the dog collar it wore. While Percy was distracted, the snake tail came around and bit my twin's bicep.

"No!"

I knew the sound had to have come from me, but I didn't register it. I was already lifting my bow and firing the arrow I had notched. It sailed true, right through the skull of the snake tail. The tail hung limp behind the Chimera.

I may have killed the snake, but I now had the undivided attention of Echidna. She pulled twin knives from their sheath on her belt and started slashing at me. I ducked back, dropping my bow. How in the name of Hades was I supposed to defend myself from this? She swung one of the knives at me, and I lifted an empty hand in defense. The celestial bronze cut easily through the palm of my hand. I hissed in pain, and looked at my palm. I could see the whiteness of my own bone sticking through the bloody mess.

In my left hand, the non-injured one, I took an arrow. I had no other way to fight, not with knowing as little magic as I did. I swung the arrow at Echidna as she came closer and closer to me. She swung her sword and broke through the shaft. Now, all I had was the arrowhead itself. Echidna kept drawing closer and closer. When she was within reaching distance, I lunged forward and jabbed the arrowhead into her neck. With a screech, the monster began to dissolve before my very eyes.

"Nina!"

That was Percy. I turned just in time to see my brother fall through the hole in the floor.

"Percy!" I screeched, running to the edge of the hole. I could feel the tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn't even register the Chimera coming up behind me and knocking me down through the hole as well.

AN: Okay, so I honestly thought I posted this a week ago, but apparently not. Really sorry about that. Anyway, I would've gotten it up sooner had I not been on vacation and away from my laptop. So sorry.

Reviews:

yolox132: Sorry about the wait. Annabeth and most other characters will not be bashed, but since this is from Nina's POV, there will obviously be points in time when she is thinking things not very complimentary of other people.

MarigoldMonarch: Thank you so much for all of your support. I wish I could re!post them for you, but I actually deleted them off my computer after I originally discontinued this story, and I didn't think anyone would want to keep reading them with the new version up. I'm really sorry.

random person: Your review on chapter two - Sorry?

EVTheWizard: Your review on chapter two - Thanks, and isn't that a coincidence. I don't live there, so I hope I don't mess up too many of the small facts.

CharitinaX: Your review on chapter one - I fixed the problem. Thanks for pointing it out. I totally didn't even notice it, and I've reread that chapter a billion times.

TheSlytherinPrincess041301: Sorry about the long wait.