A woman stood on a beach, looking up into the sea green eyes of the man in front of her in worry as she held on to the 3 months old baby in her arms.

   "What if he decides to kill her, Poseidon? You can't let that happen!" Sally Jackson said frantically, holding the baby to her chest.

   "I won't, Sally. If he wants to destroy her, he'll have to go through me first," Poseidon reassured her firmly. But even he couldn't hide the anxiety beneath his calm, the restless sea behind him all but gave away his fear.

   "Promise me, Poseidon."

   "I promise on the river Styx." It was a dangerous promise to make, one that he had little chance of keeping if things went south. He may be powerful, but his brother was in charge. He could only do so much to protect his newborn daughter.

   The sky rumbled as Zeus became increasingly impatient. Sally reluctantly gave the baby to Poseidon who vanished to Olympus with it after giving Sally a reassuring smile.

   He entered the throne room, holding the infant protectively against his chest. He hoped that he could smother the child's power with his own, but it was vain. Her powerful aura caught the attention of every god in the room and there was an unnaturally intelligent gleam in her eyes.

"As you ordered, I bring you my daughter."

   "A daughter you birthed despite our oath?!" Zeus boomed, fury in his electric gaze. The child looked at him, as if annoyed by the lightning crackling around him. Her gaze unnerved him and her aura threatened him.

   "It is not as if I am the only one who broke the oath!" Poseidon retorted with vehemence. Zeus was further enraged, frustrated that his brethren had found out his secret.

   "There is no doubt about it, the child must be destroyed," Hera stated calmly, intervening.

   "No! Over my dead body!" Poseidon snarled. His daughter clasped his shirt in her tiny hands, his rage upsetting her.

   Athena intervened, "I agree, there is no need to destroy the girl. Have you forgotten the other prophecy?"

   Zeus was outraged, "You dare suggest that we give let this child live? That we ignore the reason why the pact was made in the first place?"

   "If your child is allowed to live, I don't see why this child cannot. Shall we settle this by vote?" Zeus grumbled his assent. He wondered if no one else can sense the infant's power.

   "All for destroying the child?" Only Zeus and Hera raised their hand.

   "All for letting it live and see if it serves its purpose?" Everyone raised their hands except Zeus and Hera.

   And so, it was that the daughter of the sea was allowed to live. But some of them wished to give her a little extra protection, if only to increase her chances for a different fate.

   "I, Apollo, give you the ability to heal. Can't have my cousin getting sick, now can we? Not with what's in store for you." Apollo winked at the infant, who seemed fascinated by his golden glow.

   "I, Hephaestus, give you the ability of craftsmanship. May you build great things." The child giggled and reached out to him. He stared at her in surprise but let her catch onto his fingers, playing with a smile for a few moments before remembering where they were and moving away.

   "I, Hermes, give you the art of stealth. I've got a feeling you're going to need that one." Hermes grinned down at her, amused as he found a familiar mischievous twinkle gleaming back at him.

   "I, Dionysus, give you the ability to remain sober. May your senses never be clouded."

   "Looking at you, I hardly think you need my blessing," Athena muttered. "I can tell that you're a smart one. I only hope that you will be wise."

   "I, Artemis, give you the ability to communicate with any creature or beast. May your hunts be safe and fruitful."

   "I, Hecate, give you the power of magic and protection from it. May you never be deceived."

   "I, Hestia, give you the power of fire and warmth. May you never be lost in darkness." She smiled warmly at the baby, making it smile back at her cheerfully.

Everyone thought that would be that, but Hades stepped forward, silencing the entire room. He hadn't been invited, but no one thought about it or cared as he approached the baby. The smile didn't leave her face as she gazed up at the God of the Dead. Indeed, she began gurgling and giggling.

   "Am I allowed to see my niece?" Hades asked in a low voice. Poseidon nodded his assent and Hades stepped forward.

   "I, Hades, give you the power to travel through shadows and also, permission to enter the Underworld to come and go as you please."

   To say that the last part shocked the gods would be an understatement.

   Hades pretended to be ignorant of the effect he had produced on the rest of the gods and started to leave, when Poseidon stopped him.

   "Why?"

   "Because she will need it. And..." Hades broke off, looking uncertain, "And I have a feeling that she might be able to help me in certain matters. Nothing dangerous, I assure you."

   Poseidon looked at him in slight suspicion, but only found sincerity in the God of Death's eyes.

   "Very well."

   And so, Elena Jackson was returned to her mother. Unharmed, but destined for a far worse fate.