Hi again!
Sorry if it took long. Lately, my teachers bombarded us with assignments.
Thank you Holly25Trouble and sesshoumaruluva
Q: My summary?
A: I am still in introduction; the real story will take place in the 3rd day (aka. When the "huge house" ruined and the "boy" fell from the tall structure)
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Chapter 4 – Aftermath and Evil
The following happened when Prince Artemis talked to Mage Holly up to when the travelers entered the interdimensional portal.
Police Plaza
The lights returned.
The telecommunication turned to normal.
At last, Foaly's wireless "computer" was back to normal.
Foaly checked again the file. And it said:
"Alert. New force detected in Dublin, Ireland. International power failure. Immeasurable. The strongest technical disturbance so far. Very destructive. Unknown cause. Devastating results. Both Mud men technology and fairy technology malfunctioned."
In the screen, the red platform was mostly in Dublin.
Dublin, Ireland…What is it? Where did it come from? Foaly desperately thought.
He tapped the keyboards to find out.
Nothing.
How come this force could even beat our technology? Our technology is power-failure proof, but how come my computer can't even calculate the power? This is impossible!
Then, he realized that this force prove to be destructive. It could destroy anything not only technology.
But both mankind and fairy race as well.
Then, there was knocking.
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It was Ark Sool.
"What happened, Foaly?" he asked in his harsh voice.
"There was a strong force that disrupted both mud men and our technology. I'll replay it again." Foaly said.
"Go ahead."
"Alert. New force detected in Dublin, Ireland. International power failure. Immeasurable. The strongest technology disturbance so far. Very destructive. Unknown cause. Devastating results. Both Mud men technology and fairy technology malfunctioned."
"Is that it?"
"Apparently yes, sir."
Suddenly, a LEP officer arrived.
"Sir, we've got a problem."
"What?"
"Koboi escaped during the blackout."
"D'Arvit!" he swore.
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Somewhere above ground.
The girl got out from her own chute. As soon as the electric returned, she immediately left Haven. It's too late for the LEP to realize she escaped.
All because their security and the cameras were out during the blackout.
She waited for this moment to come. She spent months in the terrible Howler's Peak. However, she couldn't escape the security.
She only hoped that there would be 'blackout'.
Then, the unexpected occurred, the whole city turned dark. At last, she could escape.
It wasn't easy at first. However, she used her brain to trick those "dumb" sleepy guards.
She immediately went into her lab to use her chute in going out. She entered without difficulty. The guards were surprised when the energy returned. But it's too late for them to react.
Her chute was gone.
She used stealth mode to go out. Free at last.
She knew that Foaly was watching every move she made.
She needs to be careful.
The infamous Opal Koboi is on the move.
Before Holly went back to bed, somebody knocked at her door.
"Not again." she sighed. She hadn't slept since the "lockdown"
She opened the door and found two people outside: Major Trouble Kelp and Grub Kelp. They were rather more serious than Holly remembered.
"Trouble!" Holly didn't expect them to come.
"We have something to tell you." Major Trouble Kelp said.
"Come in." she said.
They went in Holly's living room.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Lately, we experienced technical difficulties. The 'blackout' a while ago wasn't a lockdown." He said
"But Foaly said we are safe from technical difficulties." Grub said.
"I thought so but he said that this strange force is immeasurable and destructive even his computer didn't register how powerful it is. He said the force came from somewhere in Dublin, Ireland. However, Opal Koboi escaped." He said
Holly's face paled.
"She escaped and took advantage of power failure. And when the power returned, she wasn't in her cell. She must be behind the power failure. We need your help, Holly." Grub said.
"And I'm going to work with Sool. NO way!" she said. Ark Sool once suspected her for murdering Julius Root, the late commander. And the way he "treated" her made her furious. She even quitted. However, this time the People needed her help.
"No, not him but with me, my team. Your skills impressed not only me but also the LEP. You also helped in destroying Opal's plans. Holly, Opal is dangerous. She killed Julius and she almost exposed us to Mud Men. Now, she escaped and who knows what will happen next. And she would likely to win. Do you want that?" Trouble said. The tone of his voice proved that he was begging.
Holly thought for a moment.
Julius told me that my job is to serve the People and that I should do that any way I could. Now, Opal escaped and there's a chance that this time, she will win and the People will suffer.
"Fine." Holly said.
I'm doing this for Julius and for the People.
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Fowl Manor
"Butler? Why?" Artemis said when he saw Butler draw his gun towards him. He just woke up from his strange "dream" and when he woke up, he saw Butler draw his gun towards him!
Either he's insane or… He's an impostor. This thought brought chills in Artemis' spine. Think! Think!
But Butler was taken aback. Artemis noticed that he dropped his gun. His eyes were wide not because of rage but because of unexpected surprise.
He's Butler after all – not impostor.
Then, the power returned to normal. The night lights turned on.
Both shifted their attention to the lights.
So there was a power failure. Artemis thought.
"Artemis?" Butler spoke for the first time. Artemis was relieved that he talked but he wasn't pleased when Butler pulled out his gun towards him.
"Why did you pull out your gun?" Artemis asked.
"I guess you won't believe me if I tell you." Butler said.
Butler wasn't like this before, Artemis thought. Butler, as Artemis noticed, looked scared.
"Tell me anyway."
"You were sleeping and Juliet said 'somebody's coming there'. But the lines and power was cut. So I draw my gun towards the door. And –"he stopped.
"What?"
"I saw a white floating mist. It almost made me had a heart attack but something in that mist prevented me from having a heart problem. Then, it also made me not to shoot it." Butler said.
He changed! When was Butler too emotional like this? Artemis thought. He usually acts cool, but, why not now?
"It's hard to explain, Artemis. Then, it surrounded you."
"So you drew your gun in its direction, which is where I slept. Then, it disappeared before you could "shoot" it. Seconds later, I woke up. Am I correct?" Artemis asked.
"Yes." Butler said.
"And one more thing, I analyzed that this "mist" didn't cut our power. There is a power failure in the city." Artemis said. Then, he continued…
"If there was an intruder, Juliet must have said it right away- she will not say 'somebody is coming there' but 'intruder coming there' remember the code, Butler?"
"But how did you know our code?"
"Simple. I heard you once said 'intruder coming' when there was really an intruder. And back to the power failure, when I woke up, I noticed that the city there was all dark – no lights." Artemis said pointing to the far away city.
Butler understood. Artemis got it right. But something in him changed.
And when was my big brain too fast to analyze a situation? Artemis thought. That mist must be a ghost or something. Anyway, I need to find out.
He got out from his bed.
"Aren't you going to sleep? It's 2:15 am." Butler asked.
Artemis stopped as he heard this. He was in a rush that he forgot that it was only 2:15 in the morning. He only slept in four hours!
But what was this feeling? I felt…active, or rather, hyperactive. Artemis thought.
"I'm going to my study." Artemis said.
"What is that in your hand? I hadn't seen you holding it a while ago." His bodyguard said.
Artemis looked where Butler pointed.
His eyes grew wide.
How could this be? No! It can't be here! Impossible! It can't be true.
In his left hand was the necklace, exactly where the man in his dream placed it.
"Well, I'll explain it to you later." Artemis tried to hide his shock. Unfortunately, Butler noticed it.
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4: 00 am - when the twins, Sir Domovoi and Mage Holly already inside the 'timeless' portal.
Opal landed her stealth shuttle in the Atlantic using her computer. She changed her appearance by artificial means. Her hair is now jet black. Her eyes are both dark brown. Her skin becomes tanner. She also grew. Her height matched with teen-aged mud men.
After her transformation, she researched about the richest businessmen in the world. There are hundreds of them. Opal wanted a new "daddy", a "daddy" that is better than the pathetic Giovanni Zito. Of course, if she still cling to him, the LEP would surely find her.
But one of the lists catches the attention of Opal.
Charleston Kingsley III
Single
Current owner of the multi-billion Kingstar Corporation.
And the best thing, he was easy-going and happy-go-lucky.
Opal even wondered how this guy became this successful.
But that doesn't concern her. She quickly made her "fake" bio that she is the "daughter" of this businessman.
And she is ready.
--
Kingsley Mansion – 5:00 am
Westminster, London
Charleston Kingsley III was sleeping in his king-size bed. He slept soundly that he didn't notice that there was a worldwide power failure last two hours. The whole world was crazy about it. Every reporter awake at that time interviewed the owners of power companies around the world like crazy.
This man had some problems in his company. Lately, the income sank. The investors almost left him but good thing they gave him a chance. Lately, he hadn't slept for days because of his work. His jolly attitude faded in time. Then, one company beat his highest record. He was even surprised at their sudden rise of income. However, his company is a problem.
Today, is his best chance to sleep well.
Suddenly, somebody knocked the door. It's too bad that Margaret, his house-keeper, is in day-off. He was almost angry to ruin his precious time of sleep.
He was forced to open the door. He grabbed his night robes and went down. He stopped suddenly.
Wear your smile, Charlie! He remembered his rich parents' words.
He was forced to smile and opened the door. But what he saw was…
"Hello, Daddy, do you miss me?" a sweet voice said.
HE stood there. The voice came from a teen-aged girl. He loved her voice like he just faced a famous singer. At the same time, her voice also forgets how tired he is.
"Who are you?" he asked. Impressed.
"I'm your daughter, Pauline, do you remember me?" the sweet voice said. It was very convincing that he almost believed.
"I-I h-have a d-daughter?" He stammered. At first, he was smiling, but he remembered that he had been in tough time in his company.
"Yes, Daddy, do remember?" the girl's voice was very sweet and convincing.
Then, he believed the girl. For a second, his face was bright, but his face saddened when he remembered his grave problem.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" she asked.
"It's none of your business, Pauline."
"What's wrong, Daddy? Tell me" she said. He gave up because of her sweet gentle voice. Anyway, she sounded like a good counselor.
"My business went down. My competitor won. And the investors lost their trust in me."
"Who is he?" she asked. Every second, her voice becomes more and more compassionate.
"His name is Artemis Fowl Senior, the owner of Fowl Industries."
The girl was taken aback. She looked shocked. But in the end she said.
"Don't worry, Daddy, you will win in the end."
Unknown to Charleston Kingsley III, his "daughter" knew his competitor.
She even knew him more than Charleston himself.
Unknown o him, she planned something evil.
"Daddy, I am going to call my friends" she said.
"Yes, my dear Pauline, go and make friends" he said.
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Spiro Needle – 5:15 am
Jon Spiro was released from prison a month ago. He "promised" that he won't "repeat" his mistakes last year and a half.
It was all thanks to his long-lost distant cousin, Jason Hayden, and his friend, Spatz Antonelli. They hired a "good" lawyer and managed to get out from his cell in a year.
However, they had a condition. As soon as he went out from his cell, he must join the new elite organization, Phoenix.
Everybody in the world believes that "Phoenix" is a "friend" of the world. However, their true aims are not at all friendly.
They are rather evil plans.
He agreed to join the group. At least, he was with his "relative" he almost never knew.
Now, his ownership and money went back to him.
So far, nothing changes; the high security was there, except that the Fowl kid hacked huge amount of money from him a year ago. His income sank lower and he went down five steps in the richest IT companies. He is now seeking for revenge.
Back to the story, Jon Spiro slept rather soundly when the phone rang.
Jon Spiro is never pleased with anyone calling him early in the morning
Unless, if it's really important.
"What!" he almost shouted.
"This is Pauline Kingsley." the voice said.
Suddenly, the phone, or com-phone to be exact, showed the details about the caller, the new member of Phoenix.
"And what can I do for you?" he asked – unfriendly.
"Do you know any embroidered clothing worth forty bills?"
Jon Spiro's eyes widen, he knew what she meant.
"Yes. I'm on it."
"And I also need a breed of cats."
"What kind of cats?"
"Felis, the Dublin's richest. Who are other Phoenix members who know about them?"
Jon Spiro grinned.
"The Russians knew them. It's too bad their little kitten slipped away."
"SO you knew the little one?" the voice said.
"Yes."
"Call their big boy and tell him to meet us in Hyde Park. We will meet in the Rotten Row at 3:15 pm sharp. This is reunion."
"With pleasure, Miss Kingsley"
He put the phone back. His evil grin flashed in his face.
At last, he could earn his revenge.
--
Opal just finished her talk with the shady businessman. Her plans went accordingly.
"He better watch out." Opal said.
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Fowl Manor – 5:45 am
Since the power failure, he hadn't slept. He felt active than before.
He was facing his computer. He spent time in current events. His theory was right, but it is not city-wide but worldwide.
Excerpt from CNN News
The whole world experience worldwide power failure. The entire telecommunications, internet connections, computers, batteries, and power malfunctioned. Companies involved couldn't explain the phenomenon. "Our technicians even said that our system went properly but seconds later, everything malfunctioned like our technology nullified." Jason Hayden, the owner of an American power company.
Scientists and experts investigated the matter. So far, their only trail was a strange "force" in Dublin, Ireland so fast that their computers couldn't calculate nor identify what it was. "For the first time in my career, I never encountered this kind of 'force' in my career." Dr. William Schuyler Reed, head of Elite Sciences.
Dublin, Ireland is currently under investigation…
Could there be such thing as 'force that could nullify human technology'? Artemis thought.
Fairies.
But they don't want to be seen by humans.
Who could it be?
Suddenly, an idea came into his head – something he hoped not true.
Opal Koboi!
He immediately turned into his computer to contact Holly.
Seconds later, Foaly appeared in is screen.
"Foaly!"
"Artemis, we need to talk." Foaly said rather seriously.
Something is going on.
"Let me guess, Opal escaped and you think she's under the 'power failure'. Do you need help?"
"That's right, Artemis. How did you know?" Foaly said – surprised.
"Power failure…Then, I viewed the CNN current events. It said that there was a 'force' that 'nullified' our technology. Generally, I could do it using the C-Cube. But this force even nullified the offline computers and even battery operated ones, which C-Cube can't do. Scientists said that it nullified our technology for a minute. It is impossible for our technology could invalidate it. So I thought that it could be fairies. But I knew that you don't want to be "pinged" by humans."
Artemis inhaled deeply.
"Then, I thought the worse. The only fairy willing to expose you to us is Opal so I tried to call you but you came."
"You're right, Artemis. Our technology also malfunctioned and Opal escaped during the malfunction. We need your help."
"Anything will do." Artemis said. Realizing that Opal had escaped made him feel unsafe, especially she could even nullify both human and fairy technology.
"Major Trouble and his team will stay there if you will allow."
"It's fine with me."
"Generally, your home will be like a 'base'. Is that fine with you?"
"My parents will leave for business meeting in Stockholm. It's alright with me. Honestly, I feel safer that way."
"It's settled then."
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Haven City – 6:15 am
Holly went with Trouble and Grub in Police Plaza. It was bombarded with the angry and curious fairies. "What happened?" one said. "Was it lockdown?" another asked. The crowd is rather worried. Holly hoped that she won't cross with Commander Ark Sool.
However, she did cross with him.
"Miss Short! No civilians allowed here."
"I am here to help, Sir." Holly said respectfully despite she hated him.
"Help? But you quitted!" he said harshly.
Trouble came to the rescue.
"Sir, I recruited her as one of my team. Her skills prove to be elite even if she quitted the LEP. In her detective work, she solved more crimes than the ordinary detectives in Haven. She also helped in "ruining" the plans of Opal. Now, she escaped and there's a chance that Opal might win."
"I assigned you to capture Opal, not to recruit a civilian."
"Sir, I can do it. I'm doing this for Julius and for the People." Holly finally said.
Ark Sool thought for a while.
"Fine, but if you fail, I will fire your team." Sool snapped at Trouble.
He went away.
They went into Foaly's office.
"Do you have a lead?"
"No, but Artemis agreed to help. His parents will be away for business meeting."
"Great!" Grub said.
"Holly, you need to change." Foaly said.
Holly changed her civilian clothes into typical LEP officer.
I'm back in the LEP but only for this time. When Opal is captured, I will be civilian again.
When she's done, Major Trouble's team and her went to their chute.
"Wait, what about Mulch?" she asked. She wanted her partner to be with her.
"I'm here." a familiar voice said.
It's Mulch alright
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Fowl Manor – 6:20 am
Artemis spent his time in his computer screen.
Where is Opal hiding?
Then, he immediately remembered that Opal disguised as a human and stayed with Zito. However, he knew that she wouldn't be staying with Zito since the fairies knew that she had a contact with him.
If I were Opal, where would I be?
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Artemis' head.
She would find an alternative of Zito – better alternative.
Richer than Zito.
He then tapped the keyboards.
Then, it appeared.
He got his fairy communicator. He called Foaly.
"Foaly I had a theory."
"They are coming by the way."
"Opal is a genius. She certainly won't be with Zito. I think she would be the person richer than Zito. And I guess she will be choosing the person that could be mesmerized easily."
Foaly tapped the keyboards. "There are thirty people richer than Zito, only five can be mesmerized easily."
"Now, research the first two, if there is something suspicious, investigate it. I will be investigating the other three." Artemis said.
Foaly agreed.
TO BE CONTINUED!!
Sorry if it took so long…And sorry if it's long for you…
Possible Questions:
In Spiro Needle conversation, what do they mean
Clue: They are rather evil plans. Embroidered clothing means valuable object. Breed of (animal) means family. Felis, the Dublin's richest…well I think it's clear.
"And when was my big brain too fast to analyze situation?" Artemis thought.
Clue: "Something in those words made his abilities rise to the fullest." – From "The Catastrophe"
If you have any suggestions just PM me or review.
Review!Review! No flames please…
Forgive me from my grammar and spelling... If you spotted them please tell me so I could fix it.
SaKuraDale
p.s Sorry because sometimes I commit redundancy...