AN: That's right, people. Double Cross is back and hopefully better than ever. I've made tons of changes to the plot, but it's filled out quite nicely and I think it's ready to go. Just the prologue for now. And I'm not going to promise anything about updates other than that I'll try (except during November because I'll be going insane over NaNoWriMo). Feedback is much appreciated!
For those people who didn't read the original, this an AU Heroes of Olympus in which Percy doesn't go to Camp Jupiter but is actually captured by Gaea. I cut the original after chapter eight because I didn't quite like how it was turning out at that point, and I got a new idea that improved the plot. It's still up as Double Cross :original: if you want to read it.
Warning: This story will include intense torture.


Double Cross

Prologue: Katherine


Gaea was in a plotting mood. Even a blinded Cyclops could have seen that much.

Of course, Gaea was pretty much always in a plotting mood, at least from what Katherine could tell from the first couple of weeks since she had joined, so this was not exactly unexpected.

"The Grace boy has already been put to sleep, of course. Hera moved more quickly than I thought. That still leaves Jackson, though…" If the goddess's eyes had been open, Katherine was sure that they would be glittering cunningly. Although maybe Gaea was more dignified that that – no, she seemed the devious-glint type. Katherine wouldn't know; Gaea never opened her eyes.

Katherine shivered. Even though they were halfway through the Earth's crust (pressurized by magic, otherwise they would all be pancakes by now), the tunnels were freezing. She was definitely not looking forward to winter down here. But it was worth it, she reminded herself. Who cared about a slight chill when there was a revolution to organize and demigods to recruit and prisoners to keep track of and gods to be overthrown—

"…will need to move quickly," Gaea was saying (Katherine tried not to jump guiltily. Zoning out in the presence of the Mother Goddess was by no means acceptable.), "if we are to find and intercept that son of Poseidon."

Nicole glanced over at her guiltily, but Katherine staunchly ignored her and trained her eyes even harder on Gaea. Clearly Nicole was still upset about that little boy, though Katherine had no idea why. They had no room for pitying prisoners.

"Daughter of Hecate—" Katherine's head jerked up. Gaea was addressing… her? Incredible. She tried not to grin. Or panic. Both reactions seemed appropriate. She cleared her throat and somehow managed to keep a straight face.

"Yes, my lady?" Thank Gaea her voice didn't quiver.

Gaea smiled slightly. Oh. She'd probably heard that last thought. "You will locate him when the time comes. Your magical prowess has increased, am I correct?"

This time she couldn't keep herself composed. "Y-yes, my lady. It has." Kinda. She wasn't good at tracking yet. Mostly curses.

Gaea nodded in approval. The debriefing moved on to another topic, but Katherine was in a daze the whole time. She was going to find Percy Jackson.

And Percy Jackson was not going to enjoy it one bit.