My thanks to my readers and reviewers. I'm uploading this as a Thanksgiving thing so Happy Thanksgiving. I revised the chapters prior to this so it might help to read through it again. The changes are subtle, however and probably optional due to that fact. Thanks so much.the writer

Fowl Manor, Ireland

Holly barged into Artemis's office unceremoniously and plopped herself onto one of the empty armchairs in front of his desk.

"Manners, Captain," Artemis remarked. "After all, you should at least retain some of your dignity despite you being, shall I say, a Mud Maid."

Holly glowered at the teenage boy, her cheeks flaming to a color that would have done Commander Root proud. "I'd hardly think that would matter in such a situation. I have just updated Foaly on our recent discovery, and he is as dumbfounded as all of us. According to his files, this must be a new enemy as all the potential criminals who are clever enough to rig this are either dead or at Howler's Peak."

Artemis raised a finger. "First of all, it was my discovery," he stated, ignoring the look Holly was directing at him so venomously, "and secondly, I've already come to that conclusion. Fortunately for us, this person is most assuredly one of the People and humans have no idea of the People's existence…." He let the sentence hang.

"Yet," finished Holly. "With those like Foaly and Commander Vinyaya, he'll need something big to create fear and panic. When the right time comes, he most likely will alert all aboveground of our existence and we'll be fighting for time."

"One flaw in your reasoning. We don't know whether it's a male or female or even a group! For now, we'll just assume it's a single male."

Holly pressed her lips together and let out a frustrated growl. "I hate it that we have to wait until whoever it may be makes their move. Other times we took things into our own hands and seized the action. We're like sitting ducks."

"Patience is a virtue," quoted Artemis, whimsically. His eyes turned serious. "This is not going to be like what we've been through before. He knows what to do and has planned everything out. We have involved ourselves in a game with his rules. He's probably observed us and learned the mistakes that Opal and Cudgeon made. For goodness sake, he might know about Spiro and the Russian Mafia."

Suddenly, a beeping sound emitted from the computer. Swiveling, Artemis tapped in a few keys. There was a silence as Holly held her breath in anticipation of what it was.

"It's Foaly," Artemis said, finally. "There's been a casualty in Atlantis. A virus was sent and wiped out all information for the functioning of the city itself. This is it, Holly. The big thing. Apparently, this virus is a new prototype. Its sole function is to wipe out and destroy anything in its path and it's uncontrollable. Atlantis's defense mechanism triggered but it was unable to do anything. It merely stalled the virus before it too was extinguished."

"And…."

"And this could only mean that this virus is to be used to destroy anything related to technology, meaning no electricity, no function, nothing." Artemis scanned the screen again. "Luckily, the "guard dogs" gave Foaly just enough time to take a bit of the virus itself and download it to a chip. Currently, he is trying to develop a way to block it but it will take a while. Our opponent is a skilled hacker to be able to devise such a virus. It reproduces and spreads like a real virus. Astonishing really. I say we go to Foaly and get this chip and I'll attach one of my own worm trackers to the virus itself. The virus should go back to where it came from and destroy anything along the way including the hacker's information. That is unless he has already updated his security to resist and eliminate it. Either way, we have a good lead. A rather reckless action on his part but beneficial for us."

Holly pursed her full lips, her long slender fingers vigorously tapping an indentation in the wood of the desk. "We're not going back to Haven. We will attract too much attention. I'll notify Mulch and he can bring it over for us instead. My opinion is that we keep a low profile here as it's quite possible that the fairy has human connections."

"I have a low profile," Artemis protested.

"Uh huh," answered Holly, skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"I do," insisted Artemis.

"Sure, you do," responded Holly, sarcasm sliding over her words. "I belieeeve you."

There was a knock on the door and the Butlers poked their heads in.

"Err—not meaning anything but if you want a low profile, you should attend the local high school. They have excellent reputation of good students," offered Juliet.

"It's a good idea," added Butler. "I'll also have an easier time protecting you."

"Regular high school!" hollered Artemis, all pretenses of dignity forgotten. His face flushed slightly in offended indignation.

"You've been eavesdropping," accused Holly at the same time, shooting the siblings irritated looks. "Manners!"

Then, as if on cue, Artemis and Holly exchanged glances.

"Oh my God!" yelled Holly. "There is no way I'm going to a regular high school."

Once again, at the same moment, Artemis glared at his protectors, particularly Juliet. "What have I said about listening into other people's conversations?!"

Juliet winced. Butler looked at his young charge in the eye. "Artemis," he said, evenly, "as your bodyguard, it is my duty to know what you are planning or doing so as to protect you better to the fullest possibility. How else will I know what we are up against?"

Artemis blinked. "I see," he mumbled. His face took up a thoughtful expression. "Like the saying goes, 'every cloud has its silver lining', and I can honestly say that it would be interesting to see the reactions of the teachers and normal people."

"Oh, so you finally realized you aren't normal," Holly snickered, smarmily.

Artemis gazed levelly at her. "I wasn't normal the day I was born," he informed, coolly. "My intellectual capacity was far higher than any being in existence." He paused. "Or for that matter, perhaps all of history."

"Arrogant brat," shot Holly.

"Don't listen to him," Juliet butted in. "All he can talk about is how intelligent he is. Anyhow, it wasn't like we were eavesdropping on purpose. We just were going to tell you we were going shopping."

Artemis winced. "Not shopping. Please."

Holly turned a confused look upon Artemis. "Huh? I thought you'd be a shopping maniac with you and your Armani suits."

Butler grinned. "It's not that, Captain. It's only the fact that Artemis, here, has a fan club following wherever he goes. In a mall….well, let's just say that there will be plenty of star struck girls ready to pounce."

Artemis frowned. "Really, Butler, is it necessary to disclose such information. It's embarrassing to say the least. Whatever possesses the feminine species to fling themselves over me?"

"Ahem."

Artemis coughed, lightly. "With the exception of both of you, of course."

"Much better." Holly spun on her heel while Juliet hooked arms with her. "So what were you saying about going to the mall?" Holly said, conversationally, facing her companion.

The duo swept through the doorway, chatting. Artemis looked on in disbelief and grimaced. "This is going to be torture."

Butler ignored the comment. "I'm assuming you haven't told her of your…condition."

Artemis arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "Now, whatever made you think that, old friend."

Butler raised a hand. "First of all, she has murdered you yet for disclosing the fact you have magic. Two, she hasn't run screaming bloody murder. Three, Foaly hasn't called. Four, the LEP haven't swarmed in here. And five, I was listening to your conversation."

"Trying a new tactic? A rather blunt one, too."

"Come now, Artemis. I know you too well; don't avoid the topic. There must be someway to reverse the mutation. Foaly could probably do it quite easily." The bodyguard scrutinized the boy in front of him. "You're not telling me something," he accused.

The boy slumped in a chair and rubbed his temples. "The elfin DNA overrides my human based DNA. My DNA will be no different other than the fact that it will alter my features slightly and my growth will be stunted. I will also be required to complete the Ritual once my DNA has fully changed. According to my calculations, it will be finished in a period of ten months."

"If that's true, Holly might accidentally find out once your ears start to become pointed. Isn't there a way to stop it at least?"

"What you don't understand, old friend, is that the genetic structure itself is far too complicated. Even the People aren't sure which part of the coding controls what."

"Artemis, what do you plan to do once the transformation is complete? You can't possibly live in the regular world of humans without people noticing."

"I plan to negotiate with the Council to permit me to continue my life with the People. They can't possibly reject one of their own, and they are greatly in indebted to me, if I recall." Artemis brushed off a nonexistent speck of dirt from his suit. "Now to the current matter…"

Butler shook his head. "If you're to attend regular high school, you need to get clothes ordinary teenagers wear. You may be over eighteen, but due to the time tunnel you still look no older than sixteen so no questions will be asked because of it. I wouldn't worry about choosing clothes. Juliet probably has a whole list planned out of what we're going to do and what we're going to buy at the mall."

"Hmm…it would explain why she was in her room for such a long time," mused Artemis. "I can't possibly believe someone would dress in such a horrendous outfit as other people my age do."

"That's 'cause you have no life." Juliet had come back with Holly in tow. She waved a piece of paper in front of the two males. "I've got all the stuff you need written down. Now let's go or else us, two girls, will go by ourselves."

Artemis looked slightly horrified. "We're going, and Domovoi is driving. If you drive, you'll ruin the car!"

"I could drive the car," offered Holly.

Artemis stared at her discreetly. "Holly, no offense, but if your driving is anything like the way you fly a pod, ship, or plane, I'd really prefer that Butler does it. I'm not really a masochist."

Holly blinked. "Are you sure? After all, our "saving the world" missions do involve a whole lot of "life at risk" escapades."

"Quite sure. Now shall we be off?" Artemis motioned to the door.

"'Bout time." Juliet grabbed Holly's hand and pulled her away.

"I'll go bring the Bentley around." Butler maneuvered his massive frame out the entrance, leaving Artemis behind.

When Artemis finally reached the girls, he found them waiting by the driveway. At the same moment, Butler pulled up by it. Artemis opened the side door and motioned for them to get in. "Ladies first."

Holly raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you become the gentleman?"

Juliet eyed the raven haired youth. "That's a very good question. I want to know, too."

"I'm always the gentleman. After all, I am Artemis Fowl. It just so happened that I never had the chance to show you."

The two exchanged looks. "O-kay…" they both answered together and slid into the vehicle.

Artemis shut the door soundly and slipped into his seat next to Butler. Butler gave him a questioning look and then grinned a knowing smile. Artemis scowled, almost imperceptibly. Butler merely turned around to face Holly and Juliet and asked, "Ready?"

"Duh."