Disclaimer: I do not own Artemis Fowl.

Everyone who reviewed rocks! Thanks so much again.

Special thanks to Second daughter of Eve who unblocked my writer's block and for her ingenious idea that I modified and used in this chapter! Thanks so much, I would totally have written another no-action chapter if it weren't for you! Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Author's Note: Is it normal that I get confused, even though I'm the one writing the story? Donavon Koboi is a pixie and Opal's brother. Adrian Lorr is the sprite and Opal's boyfriend.

Chapter 7. The Attack

Artemis was alone in his study. He was still contemplating on a few theories he had thought up, but it didn't make any sense. Why would Opal want revenge? Maybe because they had defeated her goblin revolution scheme, or because they defeated her again when she wanted to create a cross-species war. Okay, so she had a reason. But did she escape? And what was her plan now?

Artemis couldn't continue his train of thought, for a loud blast interrupted his mediation. His reflex was to jump uncharacteristically, but he suddenly realized that it might have been Juliet practicing her wrestling in the house.

She really shouldn't do that. Note to self: remind her to practice outside.

Then the fire alarm started. Artemis heaved a big side. Juliet was making toast while wrestling and forgot to check the toaster. Again.

Wait… Juliet's not here.

Artemis' eyes were wide. He quickly stood up and ran to the hall. Surrounding him was smoke. Why was there smoke? It didn't matter, because there in the hallway, in his house, stood Adrian and Donavon. Years of experience in this kind of job made the two fairies look like professionals. When the smoke dissipated, Artemis was able to see the intruders properly. Donavon Koboi looked just like Opal. He had black hair and dark brown eyes that glistened in the hallway light, making him look even more dangerous. Adrian Lorr was almost the complete opposite. His eyes were shining like emeralds, he had blond hair and was well built. Female fairies would probably say that he was very attractive.

Oh, sure. They have the attire, but they look completely and utterly dim-witted! Wait. Focus. You're playing into their trap. They're smarter than they look. One, Donavon is Opal's brother. Two, Opal would certainly not date anyone with a low IQ, so that sprite… Adrian, he must be clever.

"So, are you here to finish what your dear sister couldn't?" Artemis couldn't resist smiling his vampire smile. Perhaps he was trying to frighten them. These two didn't know who they were messing with.

Donavon just looked at him, a smile playing at his lips. Artemis felt a chill run down his spine.

"You don't know the half of it, mudboy."

"Don't make a move," said Butler, pointing his Sig Sauer at Donavon, who seemed to be the boss. You couldn't believe how big the mansion was. It took Butler that long before arriving, even if he was capable of running really fast.

I should have been with Artemis! How could I have allowed these two in? Butler thought furiously. It was his job to ensure Master Artemis' protection.

I'm not a bodyguard anymore, but after all these years, I still feel like one.

Adrian chuckled when the situation was the most perilous.

"What is so funny, pray tell?" demanded Artemis.

"You pathetic mudmen think you can hurt us?"

"Pardon me. You must not know us that well, if you don't know that my friend Butler here has taken on a troll. He is still alive as you can—"

Artemis couldn't finish what he was about to say, because Donavon had swiftly reached out for his stolen LEP Neutrino. Adrian did the same and pointed to gun at Artemis. The pixie's was aiming for Butler, who didn't shift at all.

"I guess the table's turned," he said. The teenager didn't reply. How could he have been so stupid? He was always the one to talk, the one who had to explain everything and to think of himself as undefeatable.

"Now. You listen and you listen close, mudboy. If you do as we say, we won't hurt you. Much."

At this, he and Adrian laughed. Artemis could only stand there and gulp. Butler couldn't do anything either. He tried to stay calm, but he knew that if he didn't comply, Artemis would get hurt.

"Where can we find Holly Short?"

"Disneyland, Paris."

"You fool! Do you expect me to believe that?" Adrian spat.

"It's true," Artemis continued, keeping his composure.

"She told me she would pass there before going to complete the Ritual."

"And why wouldn't she go to Tara, huh?"

"Because there are a lot of tourists, and it would take so much longer."

Adrian looked at his partner skeptically. Donavon nodded.

"If you lie," Koboi said, "we have something big in store for you and all of your friends. And it won't be pretty."

The two fairies stepped back carefully, still eyeing Butler and Artemis and pointing them with the Neutrinos. They backed away into the room in which they crashed in to enter the place. Slowly, the sprite and pixie neared the window, where the shattered glass was covering the floor.

"Butler, now!" exclaimed Artemis, as he moved to the side, in case the fairies were to attack. Butler, protected by his Kevlar vest, of course, ran in front of the room's entrance and shot them with his tranquilizer. When Artemis, Donavon and Adrian were talking, Artemis had given a quick glance to Butler, meaning "get ready to attack". When the two backed away into the room, Butler had the chance to quickly put his Sig Sauer back into his shoulder holster and to bring out his tranquilizer, which already had darts inside. He was able to do this without being seen, because the wall was providing him a blind spot. The two hadn't had a chance. They were out at once.

"Good job, Butler," said Artemis as he approached his ex-bodyguard.

"Thank you, Artemis." He paused for a second.

"Though I still can't believe you put exposed yourself to danger like that!" he scolded.

"I didn't know they were going to do that!" the boy protested.

"Do you think I know when someone's about to shoot?"

"Yes, you were trained." Butler thought about it.

"Yes, but you should have known to not keep talking like that. It increases the danger percentage." Artemis felt ashamed. Butler was right.

"I'm sorry, old friend." Butler looked at him and smiled.

"Well, not much we can do now. What's done is done. Let's see what we have here," he said as they entered the room.

After Butler checked their pulse and made sure they were unconscious, he took their weapons and gadgets away. There was no communication system that connected them to anyone, or more specifically, Opal. Artemis helped him tie Adrian and Donavon up and they were stuffed into a closet, which was pretty big and spacious.

"Now all we have to do is wait for Holly and Trouble, right Butler?" The ex-bodyguard nodded.

"Good. They'll be apprehended by the LEP in no time, then."

"If there are no problems, that is."

"Why would there be?"

"I'm not saying there will be. There just might be. Nothing ever goes accordingly to the plan."

"Well, let's just hope this does," Artemis said sternly. Then something struck him.

"Butler?"

"Yes, Artemis?"

"How were they able to come into the house without their magic being taken away?" he asked slowly and carefully.

"We don't know if they have magic… No one ever said."

"Perhaps…" Artemis still pondered on that. No one had invited them in.

If they were intelligent, wouldn't they have known that having magic was an advantage? I suppose I'll have to ask a few questions when Holly and Trouble get back…

So much for a story ending. Oh well…

So, was this an exiting enough chapter or what? It was ACTIONY!! Finally! I'm glad. Hopefully my next chapter's going to be interesting as well...

Now. A very important question for you all. (Which has to do with those before last sentences.)

Should I finish the plot up soon, or should I drag it out longer with more twists? That would mean more actiony stuff, which would mean more writer's blocks, which could possibly mean slow updates… Unless you all pitch in and give me some ideas. Like Second daughter of Eve did. (You're a good example!)

But it would still be fun if I made it longer, and I would enjoy writing it! I think after this, all my ideas are coming to me, if that helps you make a decision that will actually help me in return.

By the way, this plot is still not over, so don't worry about me finishing this in like… three chapters or something like that.

To resume: continue with this plot or add more twists?

Please review!

1) Tell me what you think about this chapter.

2) Plot with or without twists?

3) Can fairies mesmerize other fairies?

Have a good summer!