We were making our way up the mountain when we started noticing black granite blocks laying around. "The ruins of Mount Othrys" Thalia muttered

"Yes" Zoë said, "though it's not a good sign they weren't here last time"

"Why is it not good" Thalia asked

"Because this is..." Zoë stated only to gasp in pain grabbing to hold her side where Ladon got her

"Zee you're hurt we need to take care of it" I said

"No we don't have the time. I'll heal later" she said stubbornly while still holding her side and still hiking up the mountain. "It's bad because this...this is Atlas's mountain, where he holds the sky as, where he used to hold the sky as punishment" she said but stopped as we crested the hill to see mom holding the sky with the nemean lion pelt covering most of her front side

"Milady" Zoë shouted beginning to run towards Artemis, whom was sweating and clearly in pain.

"Zoë. No it's a trap. Take Annabeth and get out of here" Artemis said, but we weren't able to get to them as Atlas and Luke walked out and started slow clapping.

"Awww how touching"

I was looking at mom and her eyes were telling us to run. She should know Zoë and I are to stubborn to do that.

"Luke. Let Annabeth go. Let her come with us" Thalia said

"Here's the thing Thalia. I don't know where she is now. We came back and we haven't been able to see her. Who knows maybe Ladon ate her when she tried to escape" Luke said. "Anyways even if she were here her release would be up to the general to decide"

Thalia was about to rush at Luke but I held her back and whispered to her that he's lying. And that Annabeth is with mom.

Atlas however chuckled at the sight, "so much for old friends. And you Zoë, how's my little traitor? I'll enjoy killing you"

"Don't response. Do not challenge him" mom ordered. I knew she was telling both Zoë and I not to but...

I couldn't hold my tongue, "you're not going to hurt Zoë. I won't let you"

"You have no right to interfere hero" atlas sneered at me, "this is a family matter"

"Well considering Zoë is my sister. I guess I'm in the right place then" I sassed

"JUST LET ARTEMIS GO FATHER" Zoë yelled at him

Atlas moved closer to mom, "perhaps you would take the sky for her then"

"No Zoë. I forbid you" mom said

Apollo if I survive this you may want to go into hiding I prayed to him. I knew now I'll be the one to take the sky from mom to free her. I really hate his prophecies.

Atlas them knelt down near mom, "you see daughter. Artemis seems to like her new job. Maybe when we take over again I'll have all the olympians take turns carrying my burden. Teach them some humility"

Zoë, chuckled at her father, "daughter. As I recall you disowned me"

"Not the matter" Atlas waved her off, then studied Thalia and me, "so these are the two best heroes of the age. Don't look like much of a challenge"

"Face us and find out" I challenged

"Have the gods taught you nothing? Fighting a mere mortal directly is below us. I'll have Luke crush you instead"

"Hey Thalia do you hear that" I asked dramatically, and she seemed to pick up on what I was getting at instantly. However mom looked like she was praying, that the sass would die in me.

"Why yes I do. It sounds like *insert Thalia making chicken noises* a chicken"

"Good because I thought it was just me"

Atlas looked like he had a slight mix of ares now as he was fuming in rage, "It appears Luke was wrong about you daughter of Zeus"

"Im not wrong" Luke stated, "Thalia you can still join us. All you need do is summon the ophiotaurus"

Thalia looked pain, "Luke...what happened to you"

"Don't you remember Thalia. How are fathers never helped us when we needed help, how we would curse them. They've done nothing for us. If you join me it can be just like old times"

"No Luke it won't be. Annabeth...Annabeth won't join you, and neither will I"

"Please Thalia this is my last chance before...Luke stated looking afraid

"Do not Thalia" Zoë said, "we must fight them"

"Look Thalia. We are rebuilding Mount othrys right here. It will be stronger and greater than Olympus ever was" he then waved out to the sea, "look Thalia we are not weak" and out there was his ship unloaded and the monster army beginning to March on the mountain.

"Sooner we will storm camp half-blood and after that Olympus itself. This is only a taste of what's to come" Luke exclaimed trying to convince Thalia

Thalia however didn't look convinced but looked upset. "Annabeth was right. You aren't the Luke I remember" she said and then took her weapons out and charged at him when he wasn't suspecting it.

I however pulled out my shield and spear and went after Atlas, much to Zoë's and mom's annoyance probably.

Atlas was only momentarily phased by my shield, but it was long enough for me to get a strike cutting him.

He bellowed in rage and swatted me aside with his hand. Most of the damage that would have happened was mitigated by his hand striking my shield instead of my body.

I skidded to a stop right by mom and Annabeth. "Hi mom. Hi Annabeth" I said weakly as the impact with ground wasn't as friendly either. I was able to get back on my feet but I was only barely able to stand up straight.

"Die little hero" Atlas said as he heft his spear up to throw it at me.

"NO" Zoë shouted and shot her father with an arrow to the side of the head. It's a shame that atlas was wearing a helmet.

Atlas turned to Zoë and began fighting with her instead. The good news Zoë's second volley of arrows hit the chink in his armor near the armpit.

"Mom give me the sky. Go help Zoë" I stated

"No. It will crush you"

"Mom it's the only way blame Apollo and his prophecies" I said cutting her restraints with riptide and pushing her out of the way. 'Thanks for signing my death warrant nephew' Apollo said into my head.

Though that was my last clear thought as the pain of the weight of the sky took over. I noticed mom and Annabeth were out from under the sky but Annabeth moved to hug me and covered my front side with the nemean lion pelt as she did for mom.

I could feel her body up against me, and all I knew is that I wanted to kill Atlas and Luke for doing this to her.

I looked up to see how the fight was going, though everything past 15 feet was fuzzy. All I could see was a blur of silver fighting a blur of a dark brown, which I'm guessing the latter was Atlas, and the former mom.

However Thalia's battle with Luke was going much better, as Thalia pushed Luke to the edge of the mountain, and had him at spear point. "Yield Luke. Come to Olympus where you'll be charged and tried for your crimes" she stated angrily.

"I don't think so" Luke said and appeared to fall of the mountain.

Thalia let out a frustrated scream and then turned to see me with nemean lion pelt covered Annabeth.

I was hoping she would help mom and Zoë but she rushed over to Annabeth and myself. "Thalia if you're going to help get behind me" I stated

"Why"

" just a gut feeling" I answered. And as soon as she started helping with the weight of the sky I could see more clearly.

"Where's Annabeth" Thalia asked

"I'm right here Thalia" Annabeth mumbled weakly from in front of me, "I'm just to exhausted, hungry, and dehydrated to help. Carrying the sky even a third of it could kill me at the moment" she mumbled

I don't know if it's good or bad but I could feel the extreme murder vibes coming from Thalia. It probably didn't comfort Annabeth anymore that I wanted to kill Atlas just as much as Thalia does now.

The battle however, wasn't going seemingly as well as Atlas was pressuring mom. Though to the trained knowledgeable fighter, she was leading him into a trap. One where he would end up carrying the weight of the sky again. "Be ready children" mom said, into all three of our heads probably

Though Atlas seemed to gain the upper hand as he feinted left with his spear,which mom dodge, but she was swept off her feet by Atlas.

"I must say you fight well for a girl" Atlas said raising his spear up to put a final blow in on mom.

Zoë though leaped in between mom and Atlas releasing an arrow as she did so. The arrow flew and imbedded itself in Atlas's head, no helmet, making him look like a unicorn nonetheless.

"Aaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh" Atlas bellowed and swiped with his spear.

It made contact with Zoë and sent her flying across the battle field where she slammed into one of the black granite stones before going limp at the base of it. I knew I couldn't do anything at the moment. I was to far away, and I wasn't going to leave the sky for Thalia alone to bear.

Atlas however seemed to be taking in the moment, while mom appeared to be injured. She hadn't gotten up, "the first blood in anew war" he gloated, with a look of triumph on his face.

He then stabbed downward, and quicker than I thought mom could move she grabbed the spear and moved it to the side where it was lodged into the ground.

She then used the conveniently located spear to gain leverage and extra power sending a kick at Atlas, which sent him flying in the air.

I realized what was happening as did Thalia, "Annabeth brace for impact" Thalia whispered. I loosened my grip on the sky and presume she did as well while Annabeth grab a tighter hold of me.

It didn't take much time before Atlas's body slammed into the nemean lion pelt, which slammed into Annabeth who slammed into me who slammed into Thalia.

The weight of the sky fell back onto Atlas's shoulders, " NOOOOO" he bellowed, so hard he shook the mountain, "NOT AGAIN"

I stood up despite the pain, and helped Thalia stand before picking up Annabeth and rushing over to Mom and Zoë.

"The wound is poisoned" mom explained.

"Atlas" Thalia questioned

"No not Atlas" mom said looking at Zoë side where Ladon but her

"The stars milady. I can't see them" Zoë mumbled

"Nectar and Ambrosia" I suggested

"That won't work son, the poison spread too far"

"Apollo" I said, "but we need to get out of here before the mountain is over ran. You need to call your chariot mom" I said hurriedly knowing time was a factor. Even though there's only so much Apollo can do and it's not much more than what mom can do anyways.

Mom took out her hunting horn and blew it.

Thalia, seemed to have recovered enough so I could take Zoe as she took Annabeth from me. I studied Zoë and noticed her eyes were beginning to flutter. "Oh no you don't" I said to Zoë, "I forbid you from going to sleep"

Just then the moon brightened and moms moon chariot landed, "get in" she commanded

Thalia laid Annabeth down in the chariot and I proceeded to do the same with Zoë before both of us hopped in as well.

Mom then started driving the chariot and just in time too as the monster army broke up to the top of the mountain but it was too late for them as we were already out of reach by the time they processed everything.