Disclaimer : I don't own.
Chapter 1: Rude Awakening
J. Argon Clinic; Now
Artemis Fowl II was meditating. He had just been instructed by Argon to try and seek his alter-ego, and to talk about Orion's existence. Artemis sighed as he once again saw the office of his subconscious, where Orion would be presently. He clenched his teeth together as he saw the wall of plasma fours guarding the entrance. Sighing in defeat, Artemis started to walk through the hall of the blue fours. He closed his eyes, shaking a little every time a four shocked him. Shivering more than the time he had been in the Arctic, Artemis tried to listen to his intellect, or whatever that was left of it. The symptoms of the Atlantis Complex obviously had not discussed the damages they might have done to his intelligence. Artemis growled, frustrated, before he started to meditate. His mouth twitched upward into a smirk as he realized the irony of the situation.
I am meditating inside my subconscious, while my conscious state meditates outside. He huffed, before bringing his virtual mind to focus on the real problem. Which was plainly the glittering fours. It's all in my mind, he told himself, breathing deeply. It's all in my mind.
He was trying to ignore the hissing fours as he sneaked past the plasma numbers inside his own mind. Soon, he entered the office through the mind screen, where Orion was perching on his desk. Artemis felt a feeling of annoyance at Orion sitting on a desk instead of a chair. He ignored the sudden return of OCD. Orion started the conversation.
"Hello, Artemis!" he said cheerfully, his face innocent and curious. "What is the good doctor having you do today?"
Artemis scowled, then as cordially as he could, spoke to his alter-ego. "I am to exchange views with you on why you have been assembled inside my mind. Dr. Argon's theory is that you are all the emotions I have ever suppressed, and that when I banished the emotions, they combined creating a personality. If it isn't obvious already, I shall simplify it by saying that the personality would be you."
Orion nodded. "The good doctor is very smart," he said, satisfaction with the explanation lighting his features. Artemis almost retched at the simple expression of admiration on his face. He silently hoped that a look would never again appear on his face, or on any versions of himself. "What is the solution?" Orion inquired.
Artemis looked as if he had swallowed a dead frog. It was obvious from his actions that he did not approve of the answer. "His theory for the solution is that I should accept the fact of which you are a part of me. I apparently have to stop swallowing my emotions into you, and embrace them. Also, I should realize that everyone makes mistakes and since I have earned forgiveness for my deception, I should stop feeling so guilty, and all the usual nonsense that normal parents hammer into their children's heads. Which, since they do not believe in those pesky morals themselves, makes a large populace of hypocrites and liars."
Orion looked shocked. "It sounds perfectly reasonable to me, Artemis. When will you stop being such a boorish cynic? Can you point out the flaws? I cannot see them."
Artemis frowned. The fact was that there were no flaws, and that the solution was perfectly sound. Except for the fact that Artemis Fowl did not want to give credence to Orion being a part of him. Inwardly, he shuddered, then he sighed. "All right, Orion, I agree that you might be a part of myself that I have been pushing down for a quite a large section of time."
Orion nodded. "I am. You are not as passionate or emotional as I am. This is because you realized that passion and emotion can cloud sound judgment. However, Artemis, you have changed. It is all due to a lovely maiden that does not deserve your love for her. None the less, you have changed."
Artemis was irritated once more. "I am not in love with Holly!"
How is it that one person, rather one alter-ego, can change me into a state of such vexed feelings?
"Then why am I? As you have said, I am all the things you have denied," Orion said triumphantly. Artemis frowned. He could not see how a side of himself could be so vacuous.
"It is because of an incident that happened in the past, and you must understand it was left in the past, Orion! Holly was confused, and so was I. Now we are back in the present, and while I did feel those emotions eight years ago, now she is what she always have been to me! She is just a very dear friend." Artemis shook his head in exasperation.
Orion nodded. "I do not believe you; if you keep denying those feelings, she will be lost! However, now that you have admitted that I am a part of you, all I need is your permission for us to merge again. You may keep me in the back of your mind like you always have. It is wholly your choice; even so, just know that I am there."
Orion nodded a final farewell, then soon shimmered and disappeared, leaving one Artemis. The fours and fives buzzing with plasma a few moments ago shimmered also, and Artemis found himself on his hospital bed. He was in the outside world again, with six nervous faces and two curious ones looking down at him. For the first time in five months, Artemis did not mind that eight people were in the room, which was a double of four. Numbers were just numbers again. He did not hear Orion at the back of his mind, because Orion was in himself. A smile broke out on his face, relief etched across his features.
"Arty, are you all right?" Angeline Fowl fretted.
"I am more than alright!" Artemis smiled. "I am cured!"
Dr. Argon wiped his brow, and nodded. "Yes, good work Fowl, normally it takes two to three years, or for the more obtuse minds, even more. Nonetheless, given your intellect, I knew we could cure this in less! I was right; this may set the record for the fastest healing in history of the Atlantis Complex. I think the last record was a year and a half, and you finished in six months. I shall record this. You should take the rest of the week off here, otherwise lingering effects may concur." He briskly walked out of the room, failing to look modest and innocent.
Artemis looked around, as he pulled himself up to a sitting position. Holly was next to him, and so were Butler, Juliet, Foaly, and Trouble. Mulch was sitting on the table, eyes glued to the television, his mouth bulging with food. Foaly was clacking on his laptop with a relived smile.
Artemis glanced at the room's occupants. "The reason why he wants me to stay for a week more is because he just wants some more information for his book, correct?"
Everyone nodded. It was the truth, after all.
Angeline spoke. "I really have to go now. I promised the twins I would be back today. I'm so glad I came to see you be cured. See you in a week Arty. Don't you do anything dangerous!" Angeline smiled as she left the room.
Foaly, Butler, and Juliet joined Mulch with the eating, while Holly gave Artemis a cup of water. "You're finally free, and we have a week to just hang out with each other, without a world crisis!"
Artemis nodded appreciatively, and then turned to Trouble. "I didn't expect you to be here, Commander. Did you realize that I actually mean something to you underneath the sarcastic comments and insults?" He grinned his trademark vampire smile.
"In your dreams Fowl. I had a break, and came to see Holly," Trouble snorted.
Artemis smirked. "Your denial is noted. And ignored."
The sound of the television rang out through the room, interrupting the banter. The human International News song, Artemis realized. He had thought they were watching the Fairy News. As he mused, a pretty reporter with a grave expression began to speak.
"There have been many tales and stories about magical fairies in the world. From fairy tales to works of art, magic was the one item humans believed with firm proof that it was a figure of our imagination, a creation of tired and wishful minds. However, recent reports from scientists conclude that there is a new species that is suspected to be fairies have been found…"
The room's contents all simultaneously looked towards the screen, all coming to attention Even Mulch was focused on something other than food. It was a special moment for the dwarf.
"From a reliable source, scientists unearthed the fact that magical beings of fairy tales were living secretly, making communities and living undetected for millions of years. Could this new species be aiming for a battle with the unsuspecting humans?"
Holly snorted. The reporter continued.
"More research into the matter gives the conclusion that humans have been in contact with these fairies secretly, and more shockingly, recently. All fingers point to only two people in the world."
The screen lit up with two pictures. One was a pretty blond girl about 15 years old; the other was Artemis Fowl II himself, wearing his usual self-satisfied and smug smile. Shocked, Artemis looked around the room. Every mouth was hanging in a perfect O.
"Artemis Fowl the Second, age eighteen, is the prime suspect for the first ever contact with fey. He is suspected to be closely followed by Minerva Paradizo, age fifteen, The two have many similarities, such as elevated IQs, and early precociousness. Indeed, Artemis Fowl is known to have the highest IQ in Europe, and Minerva Paradizo's hits very close to his mark. Miss Paradizo has already finished high school and is currently finishing studies at the University of Cambridge."
Foaly whistled, apparently not grasping the gravity of the situation. "The University of Cambridge? That's impressive!"
Everyone glared at him. Everyone except for Mulch, who sniggered and said, "Are you surprised, Foaly? It's Fowl'sgirlfriend after all!"
The two stopped ribbing Artemis. Not because they had enough (no one ever had enough), but because they realized no one was listening. They pouted for a while, and then turned their attention back to the report. It was becoming inordinately more interesting.
"The whereabouts of Artemis Fowl the Second were unknown for three years. In spite of this, after his return he discontinued his schooling at Saint Bartleby's School for Young Gentleman, opting for a homeschooling method. He has been nominated for two Nobel Prizes, and has received one for his studies on science and physics."
Trouble Kelp blinked. "You got a Nobel prize?"
Artemis smirked. "I haven't been lax, Commander."
Trouble opened his mouth to retort back what was probably an insult containing the words, "armpit lice", "mud boy", and "appreciate". Against all odds and expectations, he held himself back. This was not because of his (non-existing) love for Artemis, it was because of the next sentence of the announcement.
"The two genii could be the key to the success of the possible upcoming war with the fairies."
"War? What war? When was there any mention of war?" Trouble asked instead, bewildered.
Every eye was glued to the screen now. Artemis was shaking. His paranoia was starting to creep back up to the surface.
How did they find out about the People?
As if she had heard his silent inquiry, the reporter answered him. Artemis decided that he did not like the answer.
"Following our source, a former employee of the Paradizo Services, the world leaders have united and have researched the two genii extensively. The fact that Fowl Manor was cut off from the world about six years ago for a short amount of time, and of course the sudden reappearance of Artemis Fowl the First after his abduction in the Arctic waters, all point to a bigger picture that none have ever imagined."
"That source will really regret that," Artemis and Holly said simultaneously.
Foaly shook his head in puzzlement. "How did this source remember all this? I mind wiped them personally!"
The reporter again answered the question. It was getting unnatural, Artemis decided, how she knew their questions.
"The source wished to remain unnamed, but has also given the detail that he had strangely not remembered his former employer's meddling in the world of fairies and magic until quite recently, when the Chateau Paradizo had almost been sieged by an old enemy of the family."
"Naturally the siege triggered a partial recalling memory of Foaly's holograms attacking when we attempted to rescue N°1 and Holly," Artemis berated.
Trouble Kelp's eyelid was twitching violently. Foaly had a look on his face that reminded Holly of the look she had seen on Mulch's face when the refrigerator ran out of food. In spite of the drama unfolding thousands of layers below ground, the unknowing reporter kept informing them of the dire situation.
"Following the reappearance of Artemis Fowl the First, was the capture of Jon Spiro, who was taken to jail for attempting a thievery on the rival company with the name of Phonetix. Could it be a coincidence that Spiro was raving about a certain young genius? You guessed it, Artemis Fowl the Second. Spiro was rambling about how the young Fowl did the impossible. Included in the growing list of questionable activities, the former leader of a group called the Extinctionists, named Damon Kronski, is now in jail. He also testified that Artemis Fowl, almost a decade ago, ruined his life. According to Kronski, Fowl ruined it by selling him a lone specimen of the now extinct lemur, the Silky Sifaka. Then, after recapturing it back discreetly, he apparently sold Kronski a supposed fairy, only to help it escape.However, Kronski seemed very confused on how the young genius did so. Could these be more than just the usual ravings of the guilty?"
Artemis fought back a smirk. His plan for Spiro was one of the best he had ever concocted. He sneaked a glance at Holly. She seemed happy at the mention of Kronski in jail, despite the situation.
"Our source also mentions his former employer, Minerva Paradizo. Miss Paradizo was very secretive about her genius until a few years ago. According to the source, she had been apparently interested in the existence of demons at the age of twelve. How curious it is to know that she gave up the project soon after meeting Artemis Fowl, who very soon after their brief meeting, disappeared for three years."
Butler groaned, while Mulch's hand started to creep towards a bowl of fruit. He started chomping down nervously on a pear.
"After his unexpected return, the Fowl family was apparently uncaring of the fact their oldest son had returned after three years, and that he returned with a hazel eye, leaving only one of his former blues. This is not to mention the fact that he did not look like he had aged during those three years."
Everyone waited for the end of the unending horror. Their eyes widened as they all heard the next sentence.
"Government officials have been sent to each genius' home to confirm the existence of the fairies. Minerva Paradizo was confirmed to be at the Chateau Paradizo. The current whereabouts of Artemis Fowl is unknown. He was established by some surveillance to be absent for almost six months. However, this time the Fowls did not call an alert. Could the entire family be in on a secret?"
Artemis closed his eyes. "D'Arvit! Father was already too suspicious."
"Our next report will be on the interviews with the two genii. This reporter, Jennifer Kathleen Ramon will thrive to bring you the newest updates on this intriguing case. Thank you for watching GIN (Global International News)."
Silence. The entire room was silent.
Artemis broke it first. "How did they know?" he all but screamed. He would have screamed, but his intellect lectured at him.
A Fowl does not lose his temper. Keep your aura of calm, even if it is an act.
Artemis hushed his babbling intellect, before repeating the question impatiently. Foaly started rummaging in his pack, "Never mind that, we need to get you up to the Manor." He quickly stuck an iris-cam contact into the blue eye, and then gave him a throat mike. Foaly also shoved an earpiece in his ear. Artemis jumped up, and ran with Holly and Butler beside him. Foaly yelled after them, "Take a shuttle, Holly can fly it! Trouble and I will get the council together!"
Artemis ran as fast as he could (which was not very fast), to keep up with Holly and Butler. His heart sank when Holly strapped herself into the steering spot. It wasn't the priority in the current situation, but he felt slightly scared as she gave him a smirk and said, "Buckle up; I'm not going to waste a flight aboveground." Holly looped around the sky towards Fowl Manor. Artemis, in the seat next to her, felt slightly green, and he regretted the seating choice. He consoled himself with the ever-reliable and reassuring meditation.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw the green island of Ireland. "Set it down there, just in case the government reaches the manor faster that we do. I wouldn't want to explain a fairy shuttle." He dug around until he found a tight-fitting auburn wig. Holly put it on along with a large sweater over her LEP uniform, and completed the outfit with a coat and some scarves. She looked like she was wearing slick, black leggings with some boots.
Artemis nodded. The bulky coat and the sweater gave no clues to her full-grown anatomy. With the wig, she looked like a short, eight year old girl.
"Do I pass?" Holly growled, disliking the Mud People clothes.
"Remember, Julian Coral (Foaly, make a fake identity for her please...), that you are an old friend of the Fowl family," Artemis said.
Okay, again this was my first AF fanfic, and even though Minerva is mentioned, (she is a crucial part of the plot) it will be a subtle A/H story. Oh, and if it isn't obvious, Julian is just Root's first name kind of manipulated for a girl, and Coral is obviously Holly's mom. Also, the reporter's initials are the same as my all-time favorite author. Guess who, it's ridiculously easy! Please review! Make me happy!
