Chapter 1: A Very Merry Christmas

Fowl Manor: Dublin, Ireland

Christmastime at Fowl Manor is a horrific event by anyone's standards. Juliet Butler, member of the famous (and infamous) family of bodyguards, and Angeline Fowl would spend weeks preparing for the overly festive holiday, wrapping garlands around the banister of the grand staircase and fixing coniferous wreaths to every doorway in the mansion. As the women did what they did best, the men of the household stood by watching and grimacing with each new tactless addition to the décor. And towards the end of the decorative stage Artemis Fowl Sr. decided to help his wife with placing small glass ornaments on the gargantuan pine tree that had been delivered and placed in the grand foyer, much to Artemis the Second's horror.

But it was as Mrs. Fowl was placing the crystal angel with gold-rimmed mother of pearl wings precariously atop the tree that the newest dilemma in young Artemis Fowl's life presented itself to him.

His mother climbed down from the ladder that allowed her access to the uppermost boughs of the pine. "You know, Arty, it bothers me that you've never really associated with children. Not even when you were little."

This was somewhat unexpected. He said the first thing that came to mind. "Really, Mother. I'm 18," (well, actually he was 15 - courtesy of the time spent on Hybras), "and more than perfectly capable of entertaining myself. I have done so my whole life, without the help of my contemporaries. I do not need the company of fellow teenagers to keep me occupied. And I spend ample time with Myles and Beckett."

"No. I mean that you've never had any close friends. Every growing boy needs friends." His mother looked at him sadly, almost pityingly. Her gaze made Artemis shift uncomfortably.

"I doubt most of my contemporaries would be able to understand my speech, much less my mind. And forgive me, but I think that friends must have some common ground. And besides, I have Butler. He is a very valuable companion." He didn't wish to reveal his other friends, though his mother knew all about the People by now, thanks to the conniving pixie, Opal Koboi, who had possessed his mother for a short time, revealing all the Fairy People's (at least Opal's) secrets to her.

Though as he said this, his mind flickered briefly to the girl he had met on one of his previous escapades with the People. Minerva Paradizo, child genius. Just as he was.

"Artemis, really. You may have underestimated your generation. Their may be some out there who are just as intelligent as you are, my boy, so don't you go around scoffing at others who would like to get to know you." She turned away from him to straighten a chain of small red porcelain bells that were twined around a garland.

This sudden outburst threw Artemis. He walked up to his mother and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Mother, what ever is the matter?"

He actually wasn't sure he wanted to know.

She shook his hand off and began pulling at a red velvet bow. "Well, I met an awfully nice, lovely young woman at the spa a few days ago and she was ever so bright. She and her family, the DeMaria's, are visiting from Florence. They were so freindly and their daughter seemed so sweet that I invited them for dinner after Christmas. Her name, the daughter, is Belinda. She's a year or two younger I think, and she sounded just as sharp. I'm sure you two will get along." Angeline turned to face him, smiling brilliantly, evidently pleased with herself.

But Artemis was paying her delight no attention. His mind was going over the facts his mother had just given him. An exceptionally bright and beautiful Italian girl named Belinda. There were too many coincidences for comfort. Though he was sure he was wrong, there was only one way to be absolutely certain.

His tone monotonous, he said, "I would be happy to meet this Belinda DeMaria. Whenever suits you, Mother," scowling, deep in thought.

His mother rushed to him and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Arty, thank you! I know you'll like her. She was so nice and witty, just your type."

I have a type? thought Artemis, incredulously. When Angeline Fowl let go of her son, he wandered to his office, first of all to be free (temporarily) of his matchmaking mother, and second to think of a plan. For it looked as if might need one for this particular engagement.

Police Plaza, Haven City: The Lower Elements

One minute, Holly thought. Too close. She rushed through the small crowd of protesters that gathered in front of headquarters everyday and tried quietly to make her way to her office before –

"Captain Short, "

It was Trouble Kelp: the new commander of the LEP. In his somewhat calm way, it was obvious he was mad about something. And that something is probably me. Holly thought. She walked into his office, wincing at his expression.

His eyebrows were knitted together, his eyes were bright with frustration, and his teeth were clenched around a cigar, though not of former Commander Root's famed fungal variety. But who could blame him for being a little irritated at times. Certainly not Captain Holly Short.

For one, the LEP force he had inherited from previous commander Ark Sool was good for traffic duty at best. He had spent the past couple of years trying to bring it up to its full potential, as it was under Commander Root. Then, if that didn't cause enough stress, his brother, Grub, was still missing after disappearing from his post almost two months ago. And, what caused all LEP officers to be on edge, Opal Koboi, public enemy number one, was at large once again. And she'd been sprung from prison by herself no less. Though her rescuer was an Opal Koboi from five years previously who'd come into the future and possessed Artemis Fowl's mother in order to achieve her latest scheme. So now there were two Opals roaming around under the ground, and possibly on top of it as well. Terrific.

Holly's mind fluttered back to the present; to her scolding from Commander Kelp.

"Captain Short. Holly. How many times do I have to tell you? You have to be the perfect Captain. No mess-ups, no impulsive trips to the surface, and no being late. It's very important that you not give the Council any reason to boot you off the force." He pressed his finger to his nose in a sign of annoyance. He was so calm while reprimanding her, his voice completely flat, that sometimes Holly wished he would just scream at her and have done with it, as Julius would have done, and did on more than one occasion.

"You're one of the best captains I have, and the best shuttle pilot in the force, and I don't want to lose you because your pride can't stand to lay low for a while! Your little jaunt through time did nothing to help you, and the Council is on the verge of bringing you down to Private status. You can't afford that. I can't afford that. So please, don't be late tomorrow if unless you want me to have an aneurism!" He looked at her with fiery eyes. Then he looked back to the papers on his cluttered desk. "You may leave."

Holly felt she should say something. "Trouble –

He looked up at her and sighed. "Just go, Holly."

So she went, all the while thinking, All this? Over a one minute tardy? But she knew that wasn't it. She knew that wasn't it at all.

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Note: This is, in effect, a trial run. I want to see if it is successful and see if people like it before i continue. SO REVIEW!! PLEASE!

The next chapter (if there's going to be one) will explain some things that were brought up in this chapter. Like Grub disappearing, Opal breaking herself out of jail and a few things Holly's done in the meantime to annoy the Council even further.

REVIEW!!

P.S. I have changed a few things and would like to thank my few reviewers for their help and support:

The Shang Kudarung

Holly Marie Fowl

SpaceCadet101