Disclaimer: Don't own PJO or Avengers.

AN: I got this chapter done a lot quicker than I thought I was going to. Didn't change as much as I original planned on but here it is let me know what you guys think.

Chapter 3: The Giants' Bane

Argo II

The gods and the Seven looked out over the edge of the Argo II in horror at the scene below them. None of them had expected the last of the Giant army to be what it was. In numbers the army was rather small. In fact it wasn't even as large as the army Kronos used to attack Camp Half-Blood during the Battle of the Labyrinth. There were only thirty fighters. However none of these fighters were monsters, though the goddess of ice Khione was there among Gaea's forces. The other twenty-nine soldiers were all giants. Seven of what must have been the more powerful of the giants stood in front of the others.

Up until then average height of the giants was roughly twenty-five feet with Porphyrion being far larger than any his kinsmen. That was no longer the case. In fact he almost seemed average when compared with some of the others. The largest giant had deep sapphire blue skin, wore bronze armor and stood seventy-five feet tall. Poseidon looked over at Percy noticing where he was looking. "Eurymeon. After we defeated Porphyrion last time he took up leadership and called himself king. He didn't do a great job of it though. We defeated them all pretty easily once he took command."

"Who are the others?" Piper asked.

"The peacock colored one is Phoitos, my bane," whispered Hera. Phoitos had short grey hair. His armor was a coppery brown and was carved with the faces of cows. He was around thirty-five feet tall.

"The pink one is Damysos, he is my bane," Aphrodite said, "He is the fastest and ugliest." Damysos was the smallest at only twenty feet tall with glistening black armor and eyes that burned with such hate they could almost feel it up on the ship.

"That blood colored one with drool all over his face, that punk in Echidandes, he is mine," said Ares. This giant was about forty feet tall.

"The aqua one is Hippolytus," said Hermes. Hippolytus was forty-five feet tall with wings coming out of his back. His eyes seemed to flicker with blue fire.

"That big silver one is Mimas my bane," Hephaestus said. The giant seemed to reflect all the light that hit his skin. He had no hair. Instead Flames made up his beard and covered his head. He had the ears of a donkey and the horns of a ram. He was fifty feet tall.

"There is also Agrios and Thoon the bane of the fates, Periboia the daughter of Porphyrion, Mimon the other bane of Ares, Gration and Tytus the other banes for Artemis and Apollo," Athena said as she analyzed the field. "Aristaios one of the two giants that live through the first war," she said pointing to a thirty-five foot tall giant that looked slightly like a dung beetle, "As well as Sykeus the giant Gaea turned into a fig tree," Athena added this time pointing to a thirty foot tall giant with fig branches for hair.

"And Peloreus the many armed giant," Hades added as he pointed to another seventy-five foot giant.

Percy looked at Annabeth she didn't look optimistic and looking at Athena Percy knew that their chances of winning were slim to none. The Athena Parthenos stood proudly on the deck of the ship.

"We'll win," Percy's voice sounded more confident than he felt. "We face impossible odds before. But I didn't get kidnapped, lose my memories, and travel through Tartarus to be beaten. None of us came here to lose. Together we can win, we can beat them. Western Civilization isn't going to fall without putting up one hell of a fight."

"Amen," Jason said as he walked up to Percy. He held out his hand for a shake and said, "Together."

Percy took it without hesitation.

"Together." He turned to Athena, "Can your statue transport people?"

"Yes."

"Send it to Camp. I imagine the Romans have arrived there by now. Use it to bring all the demigods here, to Olympus. If they are faced with a common enemy…"

"A good plan except the Greeks and Romans have already united. The rest of the giants are already at Half-blood Hill. They are fighting their own battle."

"The statue is supposed to be the key so how can it be the bane of the giants? What powers does it have?"

"It is a symbol of my power it makes those around it wiser and better at battle strategy but that is really all it does. It might be able to give some sort of protection but it has never been used as a weapon."

"Yes, but the prophecy said 'Giants' bane stands gold and pale' so it must have some other power."

"Maybe we should just drop it like a bomb, see what happens," Leo said. Athena looked murderous at the suggestion. "Okay, okay sorry."

"Actually it's not a bad idea," said Percy. Athena turned her scornful gaze to him. "What's the worst that can happen, it breaks. If we lose this battle it won't matter anyway. I say we give it a shot."

Percy looked over at Annabeth. She was looking at him curiously. It was the first time since she woke up that she wasn't in his arms. They looked into each other's eyes. Percy stared into those pools of grey that were so similar to her mother's. He began to memorize her pale face, leached of color by their time in Tartarus. Her golden curls. Percy froze. Pale and golden. His jaw dropped. "It's you," he whispered.

"It's me what," Annabeth said looking confuse and irritated.

"The giants' bane."

Poseidon seemed to catch on to Percy's line of thought. He too was looking at Annabeth now. "Could it be possible?" Poseidon asked turning to Athena.

She looked as irritated as Annabeth. "It is," she said tentatively, "But it is unlikely. She is dangerous and cunning to be sure but that doesn't mean that she hast the power to stand against all the giants. Dropping my stature was a better idea."

But the Giants seemed to have finally taken notice of them. Eurymeon reached into the earth and ripped up a massive chunk that he hurled at the Argo II will all his might. As it hit the ship was torn in half and they began to fall from the sky.

Camp Half-Blood

Octavian had led the Roman in the attack on the Greeks. He realized now how much they had underestimated them. First there was the issue of entering the camp. They had assumed that because they were demigods they would be allowed in. But as it turned out since they had come as enemies they could not pass through the barrier. Before the Romans could try to figure out a way through however the Greeks attacked.

Their strategy the Greeks employed was executed quickly and efficiently. They plan worked flawlessly. It took less than half an hour for the Romans to be pushed back into a trap. Some of the Greeks must have had remote triggers on them because one the Romans were pushed back into a single group chains had launched themselves from the ground and brought every roman to their knees. There were many wounded but the Greeks seemed to have avoided causing any of them permanent harm.

A big burly girl with string hair walked up to Octavian with a look of absolute disgust on her face. "You must be that punk Octavian that Jason mentioned."

"So he did betray us," Octavian had growled triumphantly in response.

The girl glared at him and for a second Octavian was scared of what this girl might do to him. He was after all completely at her mercy. She raised a spear that seemed to crackle with electricity to eye level and spoke, "I can see why he didn't like you. But Chiron said not to hurt any of you." The girl then turned to Reyna and barked, "Release her."

Two boys with mischievous glints in their eyes that Octavian associated with children of Mercury walked up to Reyna and opened her chains. The Praetor stood and glowered down at Octavian.

"Stolls," the big girl commanded, "keep an eye on this one if tries anything then…use your imagination. Just don't kill him."

"Traitor!" Octavian had screamed at Reyna. Didn't seem to care what Octavian had to say though.

"Ignorant child." The voice had come from the woods and out from them strode Lupa. The silver wolf looked down at the legacy of Apollo with hate and Octavian began to quiver. "I would expect better of a Roman," those words alone nearly destroyed Octavian. Lupa turned her back to him in a gesture of complete revulsion. It was an action that seemed to bellow at him that he was unworthy, had no value.

Lupa began to address the rest of the Romans, "You have been tricked and betrayed by one of your own. The son of Hephaestus did not fire willingly upon New Rome. Octavian witnessed the boy's possession by an eidolon. He the event to turn you against your fellow demigods in an attempt to destroy what he felt was an abortion. His actions nearly brought the gods to their knees and their two aspects warred within each of them. He crippled the gods a nearly assured Gaea's victory. Reyna suspected this and came to me for guidance as a true Roman. But this, creature must be dealt with."

"Lupa please," Octavian tried to explain.

"Save your apologies boy. Leave the family you have betray, you are unworthy of them. You will never step foot in Roman or Greek territory again unless you wish to die."

Octavian was released from his chains with the other Romans. He former family ran him out of their midst by sword and spear point.

Reyna and Clarisse had united the camps for the coming battle. It was true that there was tension between the two groups but for the time being they were unites allies.

It was a couple of hours before the Giants showed up. There were only five of them, but they also brought along an army of at least three hundred monsters.

"You ready," Clarisse asked her knew friend.

"What's a matter? Scare?" Reyna taunted half-heartedly.

Clarisse look at their enemy, "A little yeah."

Reyna sighed then whispered so low that only Clarisse could hear, "Me too."

The two girls drew their weapons and charged at their enemy as both the Greek and Roman armies charged behind them. The final stage of the war was just beginning.

Olympus

The two halves of the Argo II slammed into the ground sending dirt, demigod, and chunks of celestial bronze flying everywhere. As soon as the chunk of earth struck the ship the gods had all teleported to the ground.

"TAKE JACKSON AND CHASE ALIVE. MOTHER REQUIRES THEIR BLOOD. KILL THE REST!" Porphyrion bellowed and the giants attacked. Jason was confused as to why they would want Percy and Annabeth alive. Then he remembered Gaea's plant to use their blood to wake.

"ATTACK!" Zeus bellowed. But the dust was so thick no one could tell what direction to move in. The earth was shaking as if the mountain was in the grasp of an earthquake. Zeus released a huge blast of wind that cleared away the dust and they could all see again. In a moment of unspoken decision the Seven began pairing up with their godly parent. And a giants slowly fell it dust and returned to Tartarus.

Percy and Poseidon fought in twin hurricanes but most their attacks were countered by the various Giants they were battling.

Leo and Hephaestus were a wave of fire and struggled to gain ground against Mimas.

Annabeth and Athena where doing the best having already killed three giants and were now taking on three more.

Hazel was zipping around on Aeron as she and Hades battled Eurymeon. Though the massive giant was evenly matched with them.

Piper, Aphrodite and Hera fought Damysos and Phoitos but they were having trouble keeping up with the.

Frank was once again in his dragon form as he and Ares blasted away at any giants that came within range of their attacks.

Jason and Zeus were once again battling Porphyrion.

The battle carried on for what felt like hours with neither side gaining any real ground. When the heroes first attacked there veracity caught the giants off guard but soon the two forces seemed to be lock in a stalemate.

Suddenly the braying of donkeys echoed around the mountain. The sending the giants into a panic.

"Still scared of an ass I see," bellowed Hephaestus in triumph. Giants began to crumble left and right until the only enemies that remained where Porphyrion, Eurymeon, Phoitos, Mimas, Damysos and Khione herself. But it had come at a steep cost.

Many of the gods were now so wounded they were unable to continue fighting. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hephaestus, and surprisingly Hestia were the only gods still capable of battle. Piper had been knocked unconscious and Hazel was gripped solidly in Eurymeon's fist. Everyone was panting in exhaustion.

After a few moments Porphyrion spoke. "Eurymeon, dispose of your toy."

An evil looked passed over Eurymeon's face. Before he could act however Hazel clamped down as hard as she could with her teeth and tore away a chunk of flesh from the giant's hand. Eurymeon screamed in pain and instinctively dropped the Daughter of Pluto.

As she fell she quickly withdrew a small piece of lumber and threw it with everything she had at Frank. Before anyone could try and save her however Eurymeon let out a bellow of pure fury and slapped his open palm down on Hazel. The breaking of her body could be heard throughout the battlefield. Eurymeon raise one massive reptilian foot and stomped down on Hazel.

"HAZEL!" Frank screamed as his voice broke. But even he knew that she was already gone. Rage propelled him forward and he was met in battle by Khione.

The battle resumed only now Percy, Hades, and Poseidon fought Eurymeon and Phoitos.

Jason and Zeus resumed their fight with Porphyrion.

Annabeth and Hestia now took on Damysos.

Leo and Hephaestus also resumed their battle with Mimas.

Frank was clashing sword to icicle with the Goddess of Snow. He slashed and jabbed, countered and parried. As he fought he shifted his form. First he was a bear, then a lion, then a dragon. He was pushing the goddess back slowly but he was manage it. He had even manage to make a few cuts that were currently leaking ichor onto the ground. He couldn't keep this up forever though and he knew it. Then his foot bumped into something on the ground and he saw the chunk of wood that was tied to his life. With tears running down his cheeks he swooped down and scooped it up.

Frank looked around the battle. Percy, Hades, and Poseidon had managed to kill Phoitos but where still struggling against Eurymeon. Jason and Zeus were making headway against Porphyrion and were driving the Giant back. Hephaestus had been knocked aside by Mimas and Leo was now struggling to hold his own against the giant. And Hestia and Annabeth. Franks heart stopped. Hestia was out cold against the side of the mountain. And Damysos had Annabeth gripped tightly in his hand.

The Bane of Aphrodite was marching up the mountain toward an old set of ruin that might have once been part of the gods' home.

Ancient Stones, Frank thought. And suddenly it all made sense to him. His father's words rang in his ears, "…Someday soon, he's going to face a sacrifice he can't make. Without you, Frank, without your sense of duty, he's going to fail. The whole war will go sideways, and Gaea will destroy our world." Annabeth was indeed the Giant's Bane. If she died Percy would fully unleash his rage.

Frank hated himself for what he was about to do. His only solice was that as he looked into Annabeth's eye, even at this distance, he knew that she understood. They would both die today and unleash a power that no giant or god could stand against. Frank had to distract Percy so that Annabeth could die. Khione also had to be taken out of the picture.

Had Hazel figured this out when she through me this, he thought. Hazel, he would see her soon that he knew. He only hoped that she would be able to forgive him for what he was going to do. For what he had to do.

Please forgive us, Percy.

"Now Zhang don't do anything stupid," the goddess said as she seemed to connect the dots like he had.

"How about this?" Frank responded as he drove his lifeline into the goddesses chest and willed it to burn. His remaining strength began to drained away and with a bright flash of light and an explosion that sent everyone flying Khione was destroyed. Most of the gods were out of commission now. In the distraction created by Frank Zeus and Jason managed to defeat Porphyrion, frank felt a little good about that. One less for Percy to take on at least.

Some of the wood was still in his hand as it burned away. Then Percy was there but there was enough of the wood left to save Frank now.

"Why?" Percy asked, "There had to be another way."

Frank was gasping for air but he managed to get a few words out. "Please…forgive…me." With the last ounce of his strength he pointed up the mountain. Frank life burned up in Percy's embrace before the Son Poseidon turn and looked up the mountain.

He looked panicked as his gaze landed on Damysos. Damysos was standing next to a the ancient ruins with the daughter of Athena in one hand and a spear in the other. At that moment Percy knew he wouldn't make it in time.

"Stop fooling around and kill her Damysos," bellowed Eurymeon.

Damysos nodded and through Annabeth on the ground. "You will wake mother today child, you should be honored." He chuckled.

"NO! ANNABETH!" Percy screamed with such force he thought he might have torn his vocal cords. They did not go through Tartarus just to have it end like this. There was no way he was giving up that easily. He didn't even notice as his body turned to water that rush up the mountain at blinding speed.

Damysos was faster and all Percy managed to do was arrive just as the giant's spear went through Annabeth's stomach and sank into the stone below.

Triskelion

Agent Maria Hill burst into the office of Director Fury. "By all means come in," Fury said coldly.

"Forgive me sir but the readings we were picking up in Greece just tripled," Hill said urgently.

Fury sat up urgently. "Get me satellite footage now. And bring me Agent Coulson.