[Yo all! I don't own MR, AF or Ireland, (boo-hoo!) Alley is my oc. I'm writing Artemis's p.o.v in the third person, because that's how it is in the books... oh yeah, and this takes place after MAX because Fang is my buddy and I loves his soul! R&R please!]

Max's P.O.V

"Come on Max!" Nudge cried as she tugged off her jacket. "Lets swim!"

I scanned our surroundings. There was nothing but peaceful Irish countryside as far as I could see in every direction. Gently slopping grassy fields, a wide, blue, deep-looking river and a single old stone wall.

"Just for a little okay? We have to meet the guys at two." I said.

"So we have at least an hour," Angel was already waist deep in the water. "Since it's only eleven thirty."

"And we don't want anyone to see us?" Alley asked. She looked up at me, a half-smile on her little face.

"Right, so just a little." I said and ruffled her hair. Alley is five, a bird-kid like us and the newest member of the flock. It's a long story.

Why are we in Ireland? Well, I'm not sure why, actually. Fang wanted to come here for some reason, and we didn't have anything better to do, so top o' the morning! We're in Ireland.

Alley ran and jumped out into the water. She squealed. "It's cold!"

"Do you want to play Marco-polo, Alley?" Angel asked.

I'd been kind of worried that Angel would hate Alley, because Angel had been the youngest for a long time. But she seemed to like having someone closer to her age around.

"Sure, how do you play?" Alley asked.

"I close my eyes and count to five, then I say 'Marco' and every time I do you say 'polo' then I try to find you without looking." Angel explained.

"Okay, sounds weird, Max, Nudge, do you want to play?"

"I think I'll pass." I said.

"I'll play," Nudge said. "I'll be it first." She started the game.

I watched them for a while, but the sun was so nice and warm, and the grass I was sitting in was so soft. Before I knew it, I was asleep. That never ever, ever happens, I think it might have been the time change or the air or maybe it was Irish magic, who knows?

"MAX!" Nudge screamed. "HELP!"

I opened my eyes and jumped to my feet. Two and a half dozen guys in black were surrounding Alley, Angel and Nudge on the other side of the river. They all had guns.

One turned to face me. "Don't move," He said. "Or we'll shoot your little friends."

I froze.

Two of the men grabbed Alley and Nudge. They fought like tigers, but more of the men were helping now.

This was my chance. I flew across the river and sunk my fists into one of the men. He threw me off faster than I thought he would, way faster.

Then they shot Alley. I heard the gun go off. Alley didn't make a sound.

"No!" Nudge shrieked. "Alley! Are you okay?"

"Yeah- I'm fine." Alley gasped.

Gosh, that kid was tough.

I was on another guy now, wailing on him. He tossed me in the river like I was a kitten.

"You two stay here!" one of the men said, and Angel splashed into the water next to me, and then something else landed between us.

"Max! Move!" Angel cried. "They threw a-"

BOOM! The river exploded.

I was forced underwater. For a half-second, I freaked out because I thought I was going to drown.

Oh, yeah, I can breathe underwater. I tried to get back above water anyway; I needed to help Nudge and Alley.

Finally my head broke the surface. They were gone.

Everything was gone. The men, their guns, and Alley and Nudge were just gone.


Artemis's P.O.V

Artemis Fowl was relaxing. He was seated in a large armchair in the Fowl Family library. A book about recombinant DNA life forms was the object of his interest at the moment.

He was unsure about the idea of recombinant DNA, and was doing farther research on the subject.

He was so engrossed in his reading that he did not notice that Butler had entered the room until the manservant spoke.

"Artemis, your mother wants a word with you."

Artemis started. "Oh, what was that Butler?" Artemis marked his place in the book and set it down.

"Your mother wants to speak to you." Butler repeated the message.

"Very well, where is she?" Artemis stood.

"In the lounge." Butler said.

"Thank you, old friend." Artemis headed to the lounge.

"Arty," Angeline said as Artemis entered. "Do you know what today is?"

Artemis thought about it. "Wednesday, the tenth of July, Mother."

Angeline laughed. "Yes, and it's also the day that we are going to go for a hike."

"A hike, Mother?" Artemis raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, a hike, the fresh air would do us all some good. Would you mind helping Miles and Beckett get ready?" Angeline smiled.

"Yes, mother." Artemis didn't bother arguing with his mother, she had that look in her eyes, a look that plainly said that her mind was made up and could not be changed.

He, Artemis Fowl, was going on a hike.