The characters do not belong to me except for all the ryeas. They are the property of the author. No copyright infringment intended.

The fairy communicator buzzed. Artemis Fowl ll sighed. He had been enjoying the peace. Ah, well. Down to business. He flipped open the communicator, noting the somewhat worried look on the elf before him's face. He sighed. No one ever called him simply to say hello. Of course, that could only be expected, he supposed. He was a genius, after all.

"Holly. I don't suppose you called me just to say hello?"

Holly Short smiled, but it was a slightly forced smile. "No, Artemis. Not this time."

Artemis sighed. "I expected as much. What is it then?"

He noticed that Holly was more agitated than normal. This must be bad. "Holly. What is it? It can't be that bad, can it? We've been on dangerous missions together."

Holly attempted another smile, and failed miserably. "I don't know, Artemis. This is pretty bad."

"What is so bad about it?" Artemis pressed.

Holly took a deep breath. "In Haven, there's a People side, and another side. The People side is where you've been every time you've previously visited. The other side is where ryeas live. Ryeas are like cat-human hybrids, except they also have fairy blood. They have many cat characteristics, like cat claws instead of fingernails, slit pupils and slanted eyes, and some of them can talk to cats. Instead of having magical rules like the People, ryeas can do whatever they want and go wherever they want. They have homeless people and slums in the streets, and robberies and murders are frequent. There's a person called the Cat. She's plotting something, and we don't know what. Whatever it is, it's bound to be bad. All she does is bad. We need your help in finding out what it is."

Artemis nodded slowly. "I see. I take it you aren't fond of them?"

Holly shook her head. "They're a disgrace to the People. The Cat is the worst. She's a murderer, a thief, a kidnapper, a poisoner, an assassin, and anything else you can name. She should have been killed years ago."

"Do you have a name to go off of?" Artemis asked. "Surely Foaly's found something on her."

"That's the thing," Holly answered. "Foaly's got nothing on her. A hacker erased her past altogether. We think the hacker's called Whiz, and that he and the Cat are closely connected. Anyway, the reason I'm calling you is that Foaly wants you to come down, and help him look for information on her. I think you should come because if anyone can devise a plan to catch her, it's you."

He nodded. "What strengths does she have? Does she have any weaknesses?"

Holly snorted. "Weaknesses? I wish. She's got the speed and strength of a cat, she can see in the dark, and she's got as much magic as Qwan and No1 do. She's an awesome knife thrower, she rivals Butler in martial arts, and she can control fire. It's also said she can talk to cats and turn into them. That good enough for you?" Artemis smiled slightly. "I suppose two heads are better than one. But there is a small complication."

Holly frowned. "Which is?"

"My parents are away on a trip, and the twins are with me. I can't get a babysitter for them, as they've scared away all the ones in town. Butler is coming with me to Haven, and Juliet's off on a wrestling trip. So…"

Holly nodded. "Bring them with you," she said. "They're too young to understand what's going on, and the ryeas won't feel threatened if you've got children with you."

Artemis smiled. "That'll work, I suppose. Since you're calling me, am I to believe that a shuttle's ready?"

Holly grinned. "You know us too well. It's ready at Tara; you know where the entrance is. I'm in it right now."

"I'll be there," Artemis said, grinning. In his mind, he was already plotting. This was the start of something huge; he could feel it.

Chapter End Notes:

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