Anndddd I'm back, bitches!
...No words can describe how excited I am to say that and be posting this :)
*cue gigantic author's note
Heh… *pokes head out from bomb shelter* Hello! Hi there! Anybody remember me? Heh... I'm so sorry for disappearing. You guys are so awesome, and I've missed you, but my muse got kidnapped by Naruto, and... it became a lengthy abduction... but, if it's any consolation, I've never been able to give up on this story. Credit for the idea goes to one of my best friends in real life; it's been over a year since she gave me this amazing idea and I STILL haven't been able to give up on this as my favorite idea for a fic ever. She was weaving the story of an absolutely fantastic Artler fic that she wanted to write, and this came into my head, and… I fell in love. And, all the messages you guys left me asking if I was coming back here were very well appreciated and fueled my motivation to write :)
Full summary: When Artemis goes back in time with a machine that shouldn't, by all rights, exist, Foaly, Butler, Holly, and No1 only have three days to find out his reasons for doing so before they'll have a crisis on their hands. And, in the past, Artemis has fallen ill with a mysterious sickness, which only exacerbates his Atlantis Complex and makes it harder to for him to complete his mission.
Cover for this fic: That's Uchiha Sasuke from Naruto. If you imagine Sasuke is Artemis, you have the image I'm trying to convey- should make more sense the further we get into this :)
Story note: Takes place between TTP and TAC. Also, I'm American. Never been to Europe. I did what research I could, so travel times/methods between Dublin to Liverpool to London, etc. are hopefully accurate... but since originally I somehow wrote Artemis going from a Dublin that was in Northern Ireland across the English Channel to a London that I thought was in the UK but geographically would've been in Scotland... well, no promises :D Please note any mistakes you see so I can fix them. Also, I screw around with canon a little- like the mechanics of time travel and Atlantis Complex. Should only bother you if you're a real stickler for canon, but, well, thought I should announce it now :)
And now, at LONG LAST- ENJOY!
September 13th, 2006,Fowl Manor
It was hot.
So bloody hot.
Artemis stumbled at his legs gave out on him, but with a flare of warm energy that was not his own, he had steadied himself once again.
Easy, Artemis, easy. Stay calm; do not let them suspect us.
He nodded his head in thanks, the motion minute, and dragged a sleeve across his forehead that was damp with sweat. His stomach shifted nauseatingly and the ordeal that was walking magnified exponentially, but the steady, reassuring beat of foreign strength in time with the pained attempts of his heart kept him grounded and calm.
He took in a near wheeze of breath and wiped at the sticky dampness on his face again, then flinched at the burning heat. He was so tired of being hot- so tired of being ill- so tired of feeling as if he were about to burst into flames when he put on his suit in the morning and as if his arm were about to get frostbite and drop off if he so much as rolled his sleeve up.
I just want to go down to my laboratory... lock myself in the freezer... bury myself in ice... and freeze in there forever.
"How much longer, Artemis? Honestly, there's no reason to bury your lab as far away from the entrance as possible."
Artemis frowned.
No. First, I want to kill Foaly. THEN I'll go and bury myself in ice.
He turned slightly to glare at the centaur, feeling a harsh surge of hatred rise within him that wasn't entirely his own, and had to turn away before the anger surfaced in his eyes. "Not very long now, Foaly," he snapped, continuing on with his brisk walk- as fast a pace as he was able, now. Soon, I will be rid of this- this nonsense, this danger, this DISASTER.
Soon, it will have never happened.
He glanced over his shoulder again, surveying the possible threats behind him and ensuring there was nothing to be overtly suspicious of. The group of four following him was a complicated mishmash of honest innocence and devious, malicious cunning, so mismatched in physicality and intent that it was almost a surprise to see them all congregated here together. There was Foaly, of course, still trotting fast behind him, his person stuffed with numerous flashy (read: deadly) gadgetry and who knows what fairy-in-design catastrophes waiting to happen- countenance all arrogance and contorted with self-importance. Beside him was Holly- that horrible power lurking just under her skin, a virulent poison the color of the sky that sparkled like electricity; she even more dangerous than her companion.
A proud centaur that looked most out place in the modern hallway, more as if he'd walked out of a storybook than a spaceship, and a tiny elf that had the look of a child but the expression of a (somewhat bored) adult? They both looked- well, incongruous, yes- but distinctly nonthreatening. In fact, the thickly muscled, mountainous human and the more demonic than humanoid form on his other side looked far more dangerous than them.
How horribly ironic.
It made Artemis's blood boil, and he had to turn away before his upper lip curled with disgust.
You keep up with your confident strut and your show of innocence, you two. You won't have much reason to be confident soon.
And then- reassurance to soothe the unease, comfort to calm the anger; promises to please the anxious.
Don't look at Foaly, Artemis. He knows what we're planning. Don't let him get even more suspicious. Just go on as planned, and everything will go off without a hitch.
Another flood of warm support took him and held him fast in the moment, refusing to let him dwell in the throes of revenge. With a firm smile, Artemis drew himself up to his full height and continued walking.
Your wish is my command...
The confines of his mind remained silent at the thought, as if feigning innocence- and, in a way, they were- innocent, that was. They weren't responsible for the painful beat of his heart, the raging fever, the aching limbs, the waves of crushing fatigue.
The people who were walked behind him- guilty as sin but with an appearance of the epitome of innocence. And he could not allow that to continue.
The voice was right. They were too far along now for their plan to fall apart.
The only possible outcome was success. Failure was not an option.
Artemis carefully kept his steps in time with the others, trying to reign in the thrumming excitement that pulled him along faster. He walked in time with Butler, his powerful manservant's footsteps barely audible on the soft carpet, the man long ago trained to be silent- but Butler thought there was no danger. He was not trying to be quiet.
Butler... oh, so ignorant. Innocent, yes, but so ignorant.
I am sorry, old friend. I know that what I am about to do is going to hurt you. But there is no choice. I will keep you and my family safe. If that means hurting you in the short run- so be it.
Along with Butler's footsteps was the familiar waddling tread of a demon, accompanied by the distinctive thump of his tail as he hurried along as fast as his short legs could carry him. Oh, if Butler made him feel guilty, then No1 simply drowned him in the stuff. No1 was being manipulated and forced, he was sure of it; the little imp could not even harm a fly- never mind a sentient human being. Besides, No1 lacked the cunning- and intelligence, he suspected- to participate in a scheme such as this. No- the fairies were simply manipulating him. Using him.
...Which I am about to do...
Something cold gripped him, and it took an effort to remind himself of collateral damage.
Not that that made him feel better, but this operation wasn't about making himself feel better.
"If the trek to your lab is much longer, I think Trubz will come up here himself," Foaly complained again, and Artemis's thin patience almost snapped. "You have any idea how much paperwork I had to get signed to keep this little guy up here?"
Oh. Is this an inconvenience to you? I'm ever so sorry. It's not like this is anything like an inconvenience to me... oh, no, of course not...
No1 giggled, and the very sound of that raspy voice started up the twinges of another migraine reverberating through Artemis's skull. "Wow," the little imp said. "I must be very important. Invaluable. Needed. Indispensable. Nec-"
"Thank you, No1, that will be all," Artemis snapped. He glanced nervously at his watch, and once again experienced an unfamiliar rush of endorphins, of an anticipation not quite parallel to his own.
HURRY, now, hurry! Soon, you'll be away from these fairies. You'll be healthy again. You'll be HAPPY, Artemis.
Happiness. A foreign concept to him now, friendless and so ill and alone, but an enticing one.
Whether the voice was lying or not, he had nothing to lose.
Artemis finally reached the locked door that led to his lab. He pressed his palm against the scanner, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and announced to the microphone, "Dea Diana uni in hac fabulā servit."
The computer recognized the phrase and his voice while the fairies all sent him odd looks. "Goddess Diana serves this one in the myth?" Foaly repeated. "What in Frond's name… kid, couldn't you have at least picked something less cryptic?"
"It's a voice identification phrase," he said coldly. "It's not supposed to mean anything." You also translated it incorrectly, which is good, because its meaning is meant for me and me alone- as in not you, you meddlesome centaur.
"So eccentric, Mud Boy," Foaly muttered under his breath, and Artemis shuddered. Four words. Four. Four is death.
There was another surge of contempt for the centaur, feelings and thoughts he didn't quite recognize coursing through his veins and his mind. "So very eccentric, indeed, Foaly," Artemis retorted, and only relaxed slightly when he began the fifth word.
He started to tremble before tapping his finger five times against his leg to calm himself down. It wouldn't be long until this was all over, and the fairies, their cursed plot and cursed fours, were gone for good.
From my life, anyway.
Artemis led the way into his lab's observation room. "Enter if you want, friends," he announced, wincing as his steadily worsening migraine pulsed at the voice's anger and ridicule at his insisted word count. The group followed his gesture and walked forward, not noticing as he self-consciously brushed the sweat off his feverish forehead and his damp locks behind his ears.
It was clear that Foaly, above all else, was suspicious. His eyes narrowed and he looked around the small room as Artemis shut and locked the door behind them. His gaze lingered on the low cot in the corner and the multiple computers, half hidden by the blanket, the diagrams and blueprints and assorted remainders of exhaustion and sickness. Artemis swallowed uncomfortably and walked forward to the plexiglass window, gesturing to the fruit of his labors in his laboratory, partly to simply try and distract Foaly. "If I may direct your attention to my new invention. As discussed, it's capable of storing magic with more efficiency than any device already created- simply requires a magical creature to begin experimentation and troubleshooting." He would have slipped his shaking hands into his pockets but they were already so warm- he literally thought his blood would boil if he trapped them within the sweltering black cloth. So he tapped patterns of five as he looked to Foaly, waiting in a well of anxiety for his approval.
The centaur frowned, looking on at the machine that appeared more like something one would see in a stereotypical sci-fi movie than anything practical. Sleek aluminum and shiny curves, glowing cords of energy strung between the orbs gathered in a circular fashion on the floor- a beautiful show crafted for appearances, and he had to congratulate the voice on its theatrics. Still, Artemis shifted uncomfortably as Foaly examined the device with a calculating suspicion and a critical eye, worry brewing that the centaur would see through the facade.
Fool! Stop standing there and WATCHING everything! Our magic will only sustain the illusion for so long. Get the demon in there now!
Artemis winced at the harsh order. I know what must be done. Don't talk to me as if I need your instruction!
Of course, there was no reply, and he just let out a terse sigh as he walked to unlock the heavy concrete door that separated the two rooms, then gestured No1 forward. "Come. Your assistance is required."
"Hold up, Artemis." Foaly glanced at him, clearly suspicious of some deceit. "That thing doesn't look anything like the specs you sent me."
"I made a few… alterations. Purely aesthetic, I assure you."
Foaly didn't seem very convinced, but he grudgingly moved back and allowed Artemis and No1 to pass, prompting Artemis to wonder. Foaly was very likely the mastermind behind this godforsaken disease. He knew the centaur didn't trust him and was conspiring against him. Why was he trusting him on this? …Perhaps-
Stop letting him get to you, Artemis. I can see it on your face you're second guessing yourself. Remember, the fairies are not stupid. They've had YOU fooled this entire time, right? Of course they're going to act like they're your friends to your face. But they're not- they're only using you. Must I remind you, Artemis? How ill have you been lately? What, you think I'M the reason you're sick? Me, the one who warned you. No, fool. It's them. Foaly, Holly, Trouble- all against you, human. Don't second guess us now!
Artemis resisted the urge to cover his ears and forced himself to nod in agreement. He knew that, had always known that, and there was no remaining ounce of doubt in him as he moved to put his plan into action. Doubt had been shredded into nothing long ago; all that remained was determination.
He shut the door behind him, nodding expectantly when it locked automatically, and pointed forward, directing No1 as to where to stand. "Careful not to touch the machine; it's sensitive."
He watched the little demon maneuver his way forward, stepping over nonexistent wires obediently and taking overly large measure to avoid the device. "No1, I trust that you were informed of this procedure?"
No1 nodded confidently, but that wasn't enough.
Repeat the plan. Repeat it now, because this plan isn't worth sabotage because you're lazy.
Artemis nodded weakly and gave a resigned sigh before announcing, "Well, hearing it again won't bring you any… unnecessary harm. You are to summon magic. Let it hover on your skin, don't attempt to use it; I will take care… of all in its entirety."
The odd phrasing went right over No1's head. Always naive and trusting, the imp nodded easily even as Artemis moved away and clasped his hands behind his back. And then, the demon raised his stubby hands, concentrated for only a moment, before the precious blue sparks Artemis had been waiting for came into existence.
The blue materializing on his fingertips developed fast into a multitudinous storm that covered his entire body in an azure film. Artemis only barely kept himself calm and impassive on the outside; on the inside, a shuddering excitement was beginning to overflow even his stubborn apathy, both his mind and the voice watching their plan unfold with a kind of newfound amazement. It's happening! It's actually happening!
When his machine began to glow, and the demon quickly became indistinguishable in the sapphire cloud, it was almost impossible to keep his anticipation off his face. He watched eagerly, the voice's full support engendering a powerful confidence that soared when everything progressed according to plan. Everything was going along more smoothly than could be believed, and the nervous patterns of five he tapped along his leg was more habit than for luck, for surely events couldn't go along better than they were right now.
Until, at last-!
Now! It's ready! Go now!
He smiled grimly.
Understood.
Artemis walked forward steadily into the cloud of blue, his movements without hesitation, to stare impassively down at No1. The imp was rooted to the spot, paralyzed by just an ounce of the power that he was emitting, eyes wide with a terrible fright and possibly even pain, inhuman features twisted in what Artemis could only assume to be terror. The raw emotion he saw staring up at him sent a pang of guilt piercing through his heart, and when Artemis managed to arrange his features in a smile, it was a bitter and frail one.
I am sorry, No1. I do not want to use you like this.
But... this is necessary.
He held up his smile for a moment longer, trying to convey his own apology in the expression before a cruelty that was not his overruled it, and his smile turned into a smirk.
"Thank you. You've been instrumental. But now, it's my turn." And he slapped his hand on what, to his pseudo friends, appeared to be nothing more than thin air.
And his world was set on fire.
Pain shot through him like a bolt of electricity. A raw scream tore lose from his throat and his hair frizzed in an electric halo as he was jerked upright, the furious levels of energy raging higher than anything he could control. The unrestrained power lit up his nerves and he was given another shock, this one so powerful he was lifted off his feet and thrown back to slam against the wall. Everything was framed in a sharp, electric blue and he saw his arms raise of their own accord, his entire body trembling so violently he feared he was going to fall apart.
His agonized scream echoed off the walls as the power continued to grow; his head was pounding and his chest was about to explode and his entire vision turned blue as the room began to vibrate, and-
Hold still, human! Let me take it! Give it to me! This much power will kill you! You have to relax!
Artemis didn't know how to release the power and give it to someone else, and even if he did, he lacked the strength to do anything but exist and endure. If the voice hadn't taken over for him then, relieving him of responsibility and easing him of the pain, he surely would have died, unable to control such power, and the moment when the voice's influence stronger than ever before was the moment when a surge of relief washed over him. He felt his limbs relax even as he lost the ability to control them and the pain began to fade, a terrible, excruciating torture becoming a simple, encompassing ache that felt like heaven after the electrifying jolts he'd just experienced.
Artemis gasped and jerked as the magic wave climaxed and grew within him, now being curtailed by the strength of the voice, and he shook from the sheer power of it, the enormous swirl of pure energy growing and growing inside him. It hurt again, even with the voice easing some of the agony, though it remained nothing when compared to before- but that was when the power started to take form in front of him. And everyone, both he and the stunned, frantic fairies and human trapped in the observation room, were frozen into gaping statues by the sight.
It formed so quickly, one could easily have missed it if they weren't watching. At first, there was nothing, and then, a revolving purple trapezoid materialized in midair. It was static-like and not fully formed; the edges kept winking in and out of existence, and the worlds he saw in it kept blurring and crumpling in on one another. But it was still there, and the sight thrilled him beyond belief.
It's here- it's here! This is it! I'VE DONE IT!
His hands raised of their own accord and sapphire sparks ignited on his fingertips, ones that rapidly took a solid form and drifted forward to glow in midair. They glittered and shone as brilliantly as a multitude of stars, then suddenly shifted to turn violet. The now violet sparks multiplied and solidified, bonds forming between them and glowing like a brilliant nebula that shone so brightly it almost blinded him.
A thousand different worlds, shifting in the blink of an eye, shone from the depths of the spiraling purple vortex. But they glitched like lines of computer code, sections vanishing in a crackle of static as the edges of the trembling purple framing them fell in and out of existence, shaky gaps appearing in the dimensionless vortex.
Go! I have done what I can! You must go, and go now!
"Artemis! Artemis, what are you doing?!"
Artemis jumped slightly, then shakily raised his head to stare in the direction of the voice. There, behind the glass and staring at him, transfixed by horror, were Holly and Foaly. He could barely see Butler, who, by the looks of it, was trying to break the through the door. The desperation in Holly's frantic eyes gave him pause for one single moment, and then he tore his gaze away from his friend's eyes and jumped shakily to his feet. He couldn't give up now. He couldn't look at her, at them; they were not his friends. Only the voice. He could only trust the voice; only it mattered.
He ripped off his jacket and began to unbutton his shirt as he forced himself to look away from fairies trying frantically to get into the room, hurriedly undressing as fast as possible. He heard the sound of shattering glass and looked over to see that Butler had finally managed to punch through the glass and was in the process of ripping a wider hole.
Human! Move! Move now! I can't hold it much longer!
Artemis was yanked out of his stunned reverie, then looked around in a panic before beginning to loosen his belt. "But I-"
It doesn't matter! We don't have time! GO!
And Artemis ran towards the time tunnel and threw himself forward, vanishing right out of time just as Holly reached out to grab him.