Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, guys. This chapter came slow, like typing through molasses.

They walked along the narrow corridor in silence.

"So, uh, how are we going to beat three thieves armed to the teeth?" Roy whispered.

"Will you keep your voice down?" Artemis hissed. Roy pointed to the word 'whispered', but it was impossible for him to see the text, so the moment disappeared in a puff of logic.

"How do you know where they are?" Roy asked.

"Even you should be able to figure that out. Where on this plane could you have a private conversation?"

He thought. Bathroom? Too small. Hallway? Too public.

"Cargo bay?"

"Very good, Roy. You're learning."

"I still don't see how we're going to overpower three men." He said, trying not to beam at the compliment.

"That's why I'm the main character and you're not." Artemis started to fill Roy in on the plan. By the time he was done, they had found an entrance to the cargo bay.

"Are you sure about this?" Butler asked. "I mean, are you sure about bring Alastor along?"

Artemis glanced at the person in question. Roy was shifting from foot to foot, obviously nervous about the whole thing, but he'd die before he said it. But danger was an essential part his life. If Alastor was going to be his friend, he'd have to get used to that.

"Come on, Roy." Artemis opened the door.

...

"I'm not so sure about this anymore." Brett said nervously. He was sitting on a duffel bag. Between the three of them was a heavy duty flashlight.

Jonathan boredly pushed his blonde hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry." he said, politely."You don't have to be sure about it. You just have to do what I say."

"And what if I don't want to obey you?"

Jonathan looked straight into Brett's eyes. "Then you won't be my friend anymore."

Brett shivered. Looking into Jonathan's eyes was remarkably like looking into your own death.

"I'm having second thoughts as well." Lupen threw in. He'd been working with Jonathan longer, and was harder to spook. "If we could just see if the diamond works."

Jonathan stared at him, long and hard. Then he shrugged. "Get them out."

They were still for a moment, surprised it had been that easy. Then they began taking items out of the bags nearest to them. There was a purse, or maybe bag would be more appropriate. They slit open it's side, and out flew a glittering piece of jewel. Jonathan snatched it up at once. There were four other items, a vase, wooden box, a goblet, and a crown. Each were broken, except for the crown, from which they pried it's centerpiece jewel. When they were done, they had five diamond puzzle pieces. Jonathan pieced them together in an instant. "Who would like to be the example?"

Brett and Lupen looked nervously at each other.

"Brett!" Jonathan said in delight. "How kind of you to volunteer!"

"I'm not sure-"

He grabbed his shirt collar. "What did I tell you? Just do what I say." But then he forgot all about hypnotizing his colleague. Sparks (blue sparks) were encircling his flashlight. Then there was darkness.

"What the-" Lupen shut Brett up. Jonathan drew his gun. Then a suitcase came spinning towards his head. It missed him. Piles of luggage fell around them. He fired a shot randomly, not caring if he hit his mean. Just so long as he wasn't hit. The shot's sound echoed through the room. Then the gun was thrown from his hand. The light flashed back on. A tall, bald man stood over his unconscious men. A teenage boy, with coal black hair, icy blue eyes, and a vampire-like smile stared at him.

"I'm the Hunter." the boy said. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

...

Wow, Artemis thought. That was easy.

"Artemis..." Butler said.

"In a minute, Butler. We still have business to attend to." He looked into the blonde man's eyes, the fourth time that had happened today. "When the authorities come," he said, his voice layered with the mesmer. "you will tell them you were trying to kidnap me, and must be taken away."

But this man was strong. He raised the Man's Mesmer between their lines of vision. Artemis's gaze was locked on it, trapped in it. It had a maze or prisms that a person could get lost in.

Jonathan spoke to both of them. "Go away and stop bothering me."

His will wavered. Going away, what a gratifying idea! But no, that wasn't what he came to do. "Put down the jewel."

It was Jonathan's will against his. His head throbbed in pain. A bead of swear ran down Jonathan's forehead. Artemis gritted his teeth, and pushed. The jewel fell to the ground.

"Now go to sleep."

Jonathan slumped over, and fell. Artemis breathed heavily.

"Artemis..." Butler said again.

"Once I get my strength back, I'll order him to follow our cover story. It's a pity. He seemed an engaging villain. Worthy of one of your novels, Roy?"

Butler clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't turn around."

"Why?" But he already knew. Curse of a brain like his, he'd worked it out as soon as the gun went off. He turned, and stepped in a puddle of blood. There was Roy, with a bullet through his head.

"You can't help him."

"Yes I can." Artemis wrenched himself from Butler's grasp. "I'm Artemis Fowl the second. I can do.." Anything? He knelt by Roy. His pants would be ruined. It was saying something that he didn't care. He put his hand's on either side of his friend's head, shooting blue sparks. But they just bounced off.

"It's too late. Let go."

"Don't quote clichés to me!" Artemis growled. But he knew his bodyguard was right. He couldn't heal the dead.

But Artemis Fowl never gave up, and this wouldn't be the day that he did.