Yay, I finally got another chapter down. Thank you everyone for reviewing, reading, favoriting, and following my story. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, I don't own Artemis Fowl or Disasteress Rage.
Holly paled at the memory.
"Also, he's the only one who can just talk to her and calm her down out of one of those rages of hers. Alright, come with us. We warned you, and now you're goin' into the solitary confinement cell. You should hope that your fiancé' arrives here soon; cause that rooms roughly the size of Opal Koboi's wardrobe."
Clutching the ring, Holly allowed them to lead her out of the cell, into a shuttle, and into the new cell. It was tiny, just looking at it made Holly get claustrophobic. Then, she got pushed in.
Holly looked around anxiously, hoping that Artemis arrived soon. For the next two days, Holly spent an agonizing time in the secluded cell. To the elf, it was horrifying; the cell practically seemed to press in on her. By the end of the two days, she was gibbering to herself.
Then, a guard entered, "Your lawyer is here."
Holly was led into a different room. Artemis was standing in the room. He quickly sat down, as Holly dove into his lap.
"Artemis," she gasped. "You came."
He laughed. "Of course I did, you cowpog. I missed you, cutie."
She blushed furiously, just as he had hoped.
"Did you get enough information to free me?"
"Yes, I did, and more than that."
"Oh, that's good." She snuggled up against him. "When's the trial?"
"In two hours, my little sungun," he said, calling her by his little nickname for her. It was based off of her happy nature, and her trigger happy attitude.
She smiled. One of the guards rolled his eyes, and exited the room.
"I'm glad that I've got a fiancé who has a doctor's degree in law school."
"Well, then I'm glad too."
"You don't need to talk to me about anything that has to do with law, right; if you do, I'll probably fall asleep."
"Of course not, Holly; I was right; you are my dumb little elf."
"Hey," said one of the guards, "if you don't need to talk about anything else, then she's going back into her cell."
He grabbed her arm. She fought against him for a moment, before Artemis stepped in.
"Holly, Holly, it is going to be alright; don't worry, we'll see each other in a couple hours. I know, I'll miss you too."
He kissed her, and gave her a hug. Only then, did Holly reluctantly allow them to pull her out of the room. Well, Artemis had said that he had enough information to prove that she was innocent, and she trusted him.
Once back in the cell, she kissed the ring. For the first time since her arrest, Holly was actually looking forward to her trial. Well, at least it was only two hours away. Maybe after the trial, she could see Biobomb.
Holly knew that she was a lousy mother, but she still wanted to do her best for her daughter, even if she hadn't known about her for the first sixty years of Bio's existence. Ah well, she could make it up to her. At least Bio would be at the wedding.
Holly smiled to herself, awkwardly; most girls who were under 25 human years of age and were getting married for the first time; didn't have a daughter old enough to be a bridesmaid.
She climbed into her cot, curling up, wishing that Artemis' arms were there to embrace and comfort her. She lay there for two hours, kissing her ring, and twisting it between her fingers.
Finally the door opened.
"Miss Short, it is time for your trial," exclaimed a guard.
She was handcuffed, and led from the room. She eagerly followed, and for the first time, the prisoner was urging the guards to go faster, while they were telling her to slow down.
Then they arrived at the court room. Holly was grateful to be in much better health than she had been the first time that she had been brought in here this way. Her entire demeanor lit up like a light bulb when she saw Artemis sitting next to a chair that was obviously meant for her.
She would have much preferred to be sitting in her fiancé's lap, but sitting next to him would have to do. Several people occupying the courtroom snickered as Holly practically began dragging the guards over to her seat.
"I missed you," she said brightly to Artemis, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before sitting down. Holly loved him, and there was nothing that anybody could do about that.
The trial started. Many people, including Conifer, were brought in to testify against her. Also, data was given that actually did a pretty fine job of proving that Holly had indeed been the one to commit all of the murders.
"Now," said Councilman Cahartez. "Before we let the suspect's lawyer do his job, I would like to give Master Fowl a word of warning. While we have agreed to hold a just trial, it has been decided that if you can not prove that this Gunner has not killed all of these humans, the Lower Elements shall issue its first ever death sentence, so choose your words wisely."
"Alright," Artemis replied. "I completely understand."
Holly felt faint. If he couldn't defend her, she would be going down in history as the first fairy who ever was trialed for, deserved, and received a death sentence. Well, she trusted Artemis, knowing that he not only had not only had the appropriate evidence, but could present it in a way that would get her released.
Artemis then stood up. "I do believe, though, that the death sentence shall not be necessary for Miss Short. I have plenty of evidence to convince everyone here of her innocence."
"We'll see about that, Fowl," said a fairy, furiously.
Artemis ignored him, and moved up to a vantage point where everyone could see him.
"First," the human exclaimed. "I found a scrap of black cloth near crime scene number five, that is of the same material as a Gunner cloak. I brought Holly's cloak and the scrap of cloth. Under close inspection, it is obvious that while the scrap is of the same material, it is older than Holly's cloak, and Holly's cloak is whole, showing that this is not part of her cloak. Second," Artemis sat down a set of knives. "These knives are Holly's. There is blood on all of the blades. But, I have tested the blood, and all of it belongs to previously murdered fairies, not humans. Also, the blood is almost a year old. You might say that she would have wiped the blood off, but then wouldn't all of the blood come off?"
"If the blood is a year old, then she could have wiped off the fresh blood, and left the old blood," said an accusing lawyer.
"Yes, well, if she had done that, there would have been traces of both the item used to wipe it off, and there would be water. The blood immediately on top is the toughest layer. I have scraped a bit of blood off of one of the blades, and it is obvious that there is a different color. Holly's blades have not been used to kill anyone recently at all. Anyway, there were traces of silver in the murdered people's bloodstreams. If the blade is covered in blood, the silver would not have washed off and therefore, there would not be a trace of silver."
Grumbling, some people agreed, and the council nodded.
"Third," Artemis continued. "I found a boot print near crime scene four that I molded. While the print is too long and too deep to be Holly's, it is too short and too shallow to belong to an adult human. The print shows signs of steel toes, a type of shoe most definitely not manufactured by humans for children in that size. Also, the shoes sport a design that is definitely not a human manufacturing design, it is too precise. And to conclude my evidence, the piece of hair is indeed Holly's, but I have used a scanner of my own design, and the DNA proves to be that of a well-preserved, twenty years old strand of Holly's hair. Now I shall give you my guess at what is going on." He paused. "Holly is being framed by one of her still alive Gunner kinsmen."
Everyone gasped in horror.
"But they're dead," called GESF captain Hyacinth. "We blew them up months ago. Captain Hemlock died to allow us to kill them."
"I know," Artemis replied. "But it is actually quite probable that not all of the Gunners were in their base at that given point of time."
Muttering quickly under their breaths, the council drew together and discussed the situation. Finally, they pulled apart.
"That is acceptable. But, now you must hunt down this Gunner or Gunners and kill them. If they are not dead in six months, the death sentence shall be carried out. Also, if any more deaths occur around your fiancé, she shall not receive a trial. Case closed."
The council left and Holly leapt into Artemis' arms. "You were right, Arty," she cried. "You did it."
"Of course I did, Holly. I am Artemis Fowl the second, am I not?"
"Of course you are."
Holly then went over to Biobomb. "Hey Bio," giving her a hug. "Do you want to help Arty, Butler, Juliet, Mulch, and I track down whoever framed me?"
Biobomb immediately brightened. "Of course, I've been waiting for this kind of opportunity for a long time."
"That's great." Holly then leaned forward to whisper to her daughter. "Just in case, bring a gun, some silver bullets, and a couple of silver knives."
"Sure Disasteress."
Both Holly and Biobomb had yet to get used to the fact that Holly was Bio's mom, so they had agreed that Bio could be the only one allowed to call Holly by her real name until Holly had gotten used to the fact that she was a mother.
Holly knew that she would be getting used to it a lot quicker, if she was allowed to actually live with Bio. The council, though, still didn't believe that she was sane enough to take care of someone who had the possibility of going down the same path that Holly had. Still, Lili took good care of Bio for Holly.
Nervously, Holly headed back to the surface with Mulch, Doodah, Bio, Artemis, Butler, and Qweffor. First, they headed back to Fowl manor. As soon as they arrived, they were swarmed by Mrs. Fowl, Mr. Fowl, Juliet, and the twins.
"Well," said Mrs. Fowl. "What happened?"
Holly sighed. "I'm off the hook, sorta."
"How so?" asked Mr. Fowl.
"Well, Arty found out that I was framed by a Gunner, but all the Gunners are supposed to be dead. If we don't find this Gunner, get the proper evidence, and bring both back in six months…"
"Holly will receive the Lower Elements' first ever officially given death sentence," finished Artemis.
"That's horrible," exclaimed Juliet.
"I know," replied the boy. "But at least we have six months. If he is not caught in three months, we shall return for the wedding. Unless, or course, we are very, very close to catching him."
"Chasing down the person who framed me for murder," said Holly in a breathy, girly voice. "Oh Arty, it's the honeymoon I've always dreamed of."
Everyone laughed, eager to get rid of the tension.
"Let's get ready to go. Juliet, you're coming with us," exclaimed Butler.
"By the way," said Holly. "Bio will be coming as well. I know that Mr. Fowl has met her, but Myles and Becket, meet my daughter, Biobomb Firestorm Gunner. Bio, these are Artemis' younger twin brothers, Myles and Beckett."
They all appropriately greeted each other, and then Holly turned to her daughter.
"Bio, initiate preparatory packing for number seven travelling."
The girl nodded, and the two elves darted off in different directions. Number seven travelling, to the Gunners at least, meant that you had no idea of what was in store for you. Gunners were trained to be ready for number seven travelling at any time. The two girls, the drill forced into their subconscious, were packed and ready to go in less than two minutes.
They both had a weeks worth of travelling food, along with lots of equipment to be used in various occasions, at least half of which was illegal. Both of them were wearing their cloaks, they had plenty of fresh water, things that they could attach to their hands and shoes with which to climb, wings, assassinating tools, underwater breathing equipment (lightweight and lasting for up to three hours), a set of handcuffs, and a dozen of those gel gags (the things that swelled and gagged you once it was in your mouth.) Holly, or course, also had all of her LEP equipment (borrowed from Foaly). She had opted to use her LEP wings.
"We're ready," she said cheerfully.
Most of their equipment was stored in various pockets of their capes, on their belts, in their shoes, or in various other places on their personal. They didn't even need backpacks.
Everyone else took a bit longer to pack; the Butlers by ten minutes, Mulch by twenty (for trying to pack the fridge), and Artemis by thirty (fifteen of which he spent following everyone else around, ensuring that they had everything that they needed.) They then headed to the latest crime scene, two weeks previous.
"The Gunner will know that Holly's had her trial, but he may not know that Holly has been given six months to find him," exclaimed Artemis. "He most likely will not know that it is not safe."
The skilled fairies and Butlers searched the ground. After a few minutes, Mulch called out, "Hey, I smell something. Wow, it smells a lot like you and Bio, Holly."
Holly nodded. "That's good, follow the smell as far as you can."
"Yes ma'am," the dwarf teased.
Holly rolled her eyes.
"The appropriate way to address her, is either by her first name, or by 'miss' followed by her last name," corrected Artemis.
Holly scowled at him. "Just call me Holly."
There was a pause, then a chorus of "Yes Miss Short," from everybody there.
Holly growled. "Ugh, I should be in a hospice. At this rate, capturing this guy will take a miracle."
Chuckling, Mulch followed the trail. Artemis put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry Holly; I did not intend to upset you."
"Yeah, why should I be upset? Heck, I'm probably living my last few months, I should be at peace with the world right now."
"I am sorry, Holly, and I believe that you are not living your last few months. Holly, you are underestimating us, a comment like that is most insulting to me and my bodyguard."
Holly gave a small smile. "You're right, as usual. Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me?"
"I'm thanking you for reminding me that there is still hope."
"Holly, there is always hope. It may not have seemed like it on Hybras, but there was hope there."
She nodded. "I get what you mean."
"That's good."
They continued searching in a comfortable silence. Then Holly reached over and gently took Artemis' hand. Artemis looked down, smiling. It always felt good to be touching her, but unless it involved picking her up, he always let her make the first move.
"Artemis," said Holly. "What if there is no trail?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we reach it, Holly."
After half an hour, no one had found anything.
"Alright," said Mulch. "What do we do now?"
Artemis sighed. "We have to try a different angle. First, we have to use a process of elimination to determine where this Gunner might be."
Everyone nodded. Once back at Fowl manor, it was given to him. He could tell that a fairy wouldn't be in the Arctic or Antarctica. Also, there were places in the Lower Elements where a fairy couldn't go. He finally concluded that a Gunner would either be in the Lower Elements, or would have stayed somewhere close. They were his targets after all.
They began heading to the nearest shuttle port. They were most of the way there, conveniently in the middle of nowhere, when the car suddenly lurched sideways, skidded, and flipped over. The passengers cried out, and yelled.
After they stopped moving, everyone began trying to climb out. The ones towards the back, (Holly, Bio, Mulch, and Artemis) all scrambled out first. Butler and Juliet, the only two Butler considered capable of sitting in the front seats (most easily targeted by hitmen), were starting to get out, when a tree from the side of the road fell, landing on the car and trapping the Butlers.
The four who were outside the car saw a figure emerging from the woods.
Well, if you liked it, review, favorite (If you haven't already, and follow (If you aren't already doing that.) Anyway, thanks again guys, it means a lot to me. Oh, I'm leaving for vacation next Friday, and I won't get back until the following Sunday, so I'll try to get a chapter updated before then, but I'm very busy.
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