Hey! I'm back from my weekend trip, and I've finally updated, as you can all see! Honestly, I really missed writing! It was like a deep, dark emptiness inside my heart, sniff sniff (brushes away imaginary tear)!
But, anyway, thank you to all of you who reviewed my last chapter! I was nervous you guys wouldn't like the ending, but thankfully, I was wrong! Thanks guys, you're the best!
Enjoy the chapter!
Oh, and here's another passing message to Flossi and Mange, my school buddys (who are both beginning to write fan fiction, so look out for them!)
To Flossi: Hey! I'm glad you missed me Flossi! I missed you too! It was kinda weird when I could actually hear myself think! Hahaha! See you at school!
To Manga: I'm so glad your writting now! Welcome to the club! I'm sure your stories are going to be great! Hope you find that memory stick! See you later!
Thanks!
The Warehouse Meeting
Artemis drove up to the dark and dingy warehouse, trying to be as silent as possible. He parked the car just outside the entrance, feeling as if his stomach was filled with lead.
He sat in there for a minute, mulling things over.
I have to go in. Holly's in there, and who knows what state she's in right now! I have to save her, and I must deal with Opal. This is the last time I want to look at that insane woman!
But for once, Artemis did not have a plan.
He reached his hand into his pocket and touched the hilt of the gun gingerly.
Should I do this?
The sound of Holly scream echoed through his head, sending shivers down his spine. But with them came another wave of rage that sent his heart racing.
With deliberate steps, he climbed out the car, slamming the door behind him, forgetting about stealth. Later, he'd look back on these actions, and mentally hit himself for being so hot-headed.
He reached the warehouse sliding door, and glared inside.
The warehouse was dark and dirty, and smelt of rot and fungi. The lighting was dark, but not pitch black. He could still see shapes and figures lurking in the gloom ahead.
Artemis took a small step inside, just to be cautious. When nothing happened, he took a bigger step in, and got swallowed up inside the darkness.
He stood there in the gloom, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light.
When his eyes finally adjusted, a startled gasp escaped Artemis, and all past bravado fell away, leaving only horror, shock and worry.
At the far end of the warehouse, Holly hung from the roof, swinging slightly in the light breeze. The only clothes she wore was her one piece, and the garment clung to her, looking dark against her skin. She was hanging just above a raised platform, and chains snaked around her limp arms, keeping her in place.
Oh gods! She's dead! Oh Lord, please tell me she's not dead!
Artemis ran towards her, trying not to slip on the mossy floor. When he reached the stairs leading up to the raised platform, he took the step two at a time, hurrying to get to her.
When he reached her, he drew in another breath, and tried to fight the angry tears that welled up.
Holly was covered in long, deep cuts, some that had developed into ugly scars and scabs; others still leaking small rivulets of blood. Holly had obviously used what little bit of magic she had left to heal herself, but it had not been enough.
Artemis fought back a sob as he reached up and laid a shaking hand on her pale cheek.
Suddenly, her eyes flashed open, and she stared down at him. Artemis almost felt like crying out in joy, but that feeling was killed by the sorrow that filled his heart when he saw the pain in her mismatched eyes.
Her eyes flashed, and they soon filled with shock, then joy, then confusion, but her eyes finally filled with horror.
"Arty!? No! You shouldn't have come! Opal, she's here! She'll get you!"
Artemis ignored her, and began yanking on the chain, beginning to free her.
"I saw the blood on the bed. I thought she'd killed you!"
Holly shook her head.
"It's fake! That blood's not mine! It's sheep blood!"
Artemis froze, and stared blankly at her.
"But your cuts!? How…"
Holly closed her eyes slowly, trembling slightly.
"How do you think she got me to scream? I wouldn't scream for her, so she…improvised." she whispered, her voice sounding small in the silence.
New, fresh rage built up, and Artemis gave another yank on the chain.
Finally, the chains gave in, and Holly dropped to the platform, landing lightly, with only the slightest hint of a wobble. Artemis felt surprised as Holly turned to him, alert and determined, despite the fact that some of her scars and scabs had cracked open, and more blood began to leak out lazily.
"Artemis, we have to move now!"
But as the words left her mouth, lights flashed into life, and the warehouse doors slid closed, slamming shut with a loud bang.
Artemis and Holly spun round as a slow, ominous clapping came up from behind them.
Opal stood in front of the doors, a huge, malicious smile on her face. She clapped slowly, mocking them with each clap her tiny hands made.
"Bravo, Fowl!" she called, a snide tone in her voice, "And there was I thinking you'd be late!" she froze, frowning slightly, and took a glance at her wrist watch. After a seconds pause, she nodded to herself, and looked up, a sparkle in her eye.
"Yes, you're just on time. three o'clock, on the dot! I must say, you've really impressed me! Although..." she turned to Holly, a wicked smile crossing her face, "I'm slightly disappointed. Your friend would have been so...fun to play with! As you can see, I quite enjoyed our last game! Her voice just sounds so moving when she screams in agony. You nearly bought a tear to my eye, Short!"
Artemis clenched his fists, trembling, trying to keep his anger in check.
Don't give her what she wants! I will not collapse in front of her! That's what she wants, to see me lose control.
Instead, he did what he did best.
Artemis leaned against the guard rail, appearing casual, and looked across at Opal, grinning.
"Reeeeally? What did you two play? Let me guess. Naughts and crosses?" he cheered, mocking her.
Opals smile disappeared, and she scowled. Slowly, she reached a hand into the pocket of her suit, and drew out a long, evil looking knife.
"Oh, the game was similar, Fowl. Maybe you should ask your girlfriend. See what she thought of it."
Artemis looked side ways at Holly. Her features where hard and determined, but there was the slightest hint of a shiver racking her small frame as she glared at her tormentor.
Artemis took a few slow, deliberate steps towards the stairs, but Holly's hand shot out, grabbing his arm.
"Arty, don't do this! She's not stable!"
Artemis reached into his suit pocket, hiding it from view, and drew the hilt of the gun out, showing Holly.
Her eyes widened, as she stared at the gun.
But before she could argue, Artemis stepped away, and descended the stairs, trying to look casual.
"That's not a worry of mine right now. But now it's time for this to end. I've had enough of you to last me a life time."
Opal laughed, and began to walk towards them.
"Sorry to burst your little bubble, Arty, but you're life time isn't going to last very long. You're going to die right here, today! That is how this will end!"
Artemis reached the bottom, and walked forward, headingtowardsthe centre. As he walked, he felt a hand touch his. He looked back, and saw Holly walking next to him. The look on her face gave him new strength and courage, and he turned back to Opal, who had stopped just before the centre of the warehouse.
He came to a halt, standing a good few paces away from Opal. He was brave, but not brave or stupid enough to come to close.
"But really, Koboi. Does someone always have to die to bring you true satisfaction?"
Opal smiled.
"Yes, Fowl. Death brings me joy!" then she paused, and turned to Holly, directing her next comment to her, "Just like Kevin's death brought me joy!"
Holly froze, and stared at Opal, her face contorting with wild rage.
Artemis felt his stomach drop right through his shoes.
Oh no. Holls please don't! Don't listen to her!
"Holls, please! Don't listen to her!"
Opal carried on, watching the effects of her words take hold of the revengeful elf.
"He really deserved to die, Short! But...how does it feel, knowing that he died because of you? He died in your hands! You could of saved him! But, you were just to busy, weren't you, Captain Short?"
This last comment pushed Holly over the edge.
With a cry, Holly launched herself at Opal, her eyes flashing with uncontrollable passion and anger. She drew her fist back, preparing to knock the life out of the deranged pixie.
Opal hurriedly stuffed the knife in her pocket, then shot her hands out, and caught Holly's punch, the full force of Holly's blow pushing her backwards, her feet sliding.
But they both stayed in place, glaring daggers at one another.
But Holly wasn't finished.
Still being held in Koboi's vice like grasp, Holly shot one foot up, connecting it with Opals head.
Opal gasped, but still held firm. Artemis could of sworn he heard the crack of a bone breaking, but the pixie still stood in place, gritting her teeth.
Opal suddenly pulled a leg up, and kicked Holly full on in the chest, knocking the wind out of her.
She sucked in a desperate breath, and pulled away, stepping away from the pixie she-devil.
After a seconds hesitation, Holly rushed back, throwing punches at Opal, ducking and weaving as Koboi lashed out, defending herself.
Opal gave a huff, and pushed Holly, using all her strength. Holly staggered back, but did not fall over.
Then, still determined to break a few bones, Holly launched herself back, back flipping away from Opal.
Artemis' eyes widened, as he watched Holly arch her back, soaring through the air. Despite the situation, he had to resist the urge to grab her.
Holly came to a stand still, resting on her hands, then launched back again, arching through the air, speeding towards Opal.
Koboi's eyes widened in horror, as she watched the elf speed towards her. But with cold determination, she spread her legs wide, and waited for the blow, gritting her teeth.
On the last forward flip, Holly stopped, coming to rest before Opal. Then, with a determined cry, she pulled her leg down, then shot it up, sending it rocketing towards Opals chin.
Artemis held his breath, waiting for the crushing blow which would surely send Opal flying.
But the kick never reached its target.
Koboi lashed out, grabbing Holly's ankle. Holly gasped out in shock, surprised by the the pixies strength.
Then, grinning wildly, Opal flung Holly away from her. Holly cried out with shock as she crashed to the mossy floor.
Shakily, Holly lifted herself up on her arms, all anger gone, replaced instead with shock and pain.
But when she looked up, all feeling left her body, as her eyes took in the scene before her.
Opal hovered above the ground, using her suits wings. She clutched her knife in one hand, and the other was locked around Artemis' neck, holding him just above the ground. His eyes were wide with shock and horror.
Opal gave a wicked grin, looking down at Holly.
"It's over Short! I win! Your actions has just bought another life to it's glorious end!"
She looked sideways at Artemis, and the smile disappeared, and was replaced with a sour, wicked expression.
"I'll see you in Hell, Artemis." she said, her voice layered with hatred.
Then, with a determined cry, Opal brought the dagger up, sticking it up and into Artemis, sliding it through his rib cage.
Artemis gave a low cry, his eyes widening with pain. What color he had left drained from his cheeks, and he hung there, pinned in place by the knife.
It took Holly a second to realize she was screaming. With a sorrow so profound, she launched up, running towards her dying friend.
Opal smiled, filled with joy at her victory. She let go of Artemis, and he slid of the knife's blade, falling to the floor.
Holly reached him, and shot her hand into his pocket, pulling out the large gun.
Opal, too caught up in her own happiness, did not notice when Holly aimed the gun at her.
Shaking with grief, Holly pulled the trigger, shooting Koboi in the shoulder.
Opal cried out in pain, clutching her shoulder. Her wings died, and Opal dropped to the floor.
Holly took the opportunity, and whacked Opal between the eyes with the blunt end of the gun, feeling satisfaction well up inside as Opal dropped to the ground, instantly unconscious.
Holly dropped the gun, and turned to Artemis.
When she saw his pale face, and the spreading red on his top, she dropped down next to him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
But she wouldn't give up.
I won't let him die!
She reached down and unbuttoned his top, trying to get a better view of the wound.
When she saw it, she gasped out in horror. The wound was big and gaping, and she heard the whistling sound the air made as his lungs sucked in air. The blood was still leaking from the wound.
"Holly..." came the shaky sound of Artemis' voice, trying to draw her attention.
Holly spared a glance at him, and instantlyregretted it. The sight of his pale face, the expression of pain, caused her to heave a sob, but she hurriedly turned away.
"Not now, Arty. I have to save you now. You're not going to die today!"
When no reply came, Holly looked up, and all the air got knocked out her lungs as she saw that his eyes had closed.
She stuck a finger to his throat, feeling for a pulse.
And she heaved a sigh of relief as she felt his heart beating. His pulse was faint, startlingly so, but at least it was there.
The placed her hands over his wound, and dug deep, search inside herself for a last drop of magic.
A single spark flared into life, slithering down her hand. When it reached Artemis, it shot into his wound, dancing merrily.
But that was all she had.
Holly felt fresh new tears burn her eyes, and she buried her head in her hands. She rocked herself backwards and forwards, trying to console herself.
Then, as she sat there, crying, as her heart felt like it would die inside her, an idea formed in her mind. It was desperate, but it was still an idea.
She got up, and looked around her. Finally, she found what she was looking for.
Holly ran to the wall and grabbed her LEP suit. Hurriedly, she shoved herself into the suit, zipping it up behind herself.
When she had, at last, gotten it on properly, she ran back to Artemis, her heart beating to beat all hell.
She leaned down and clipped Artemis to her Moonbelt, then lifted him up gently, holding him in her arms.
I can't give up on him now. Not when he needs me the most!
And with this thought, Holly launch them through a hole in the warehouse roof, sending them both rocketing into the sky.
Hey! I know this chapter sounds pretty sad right now, and things look like they will turn out for the worst, but please bare with me! But besides the sad bit, I hope you guys like it! I took Holly's fighting techniec from Hikaru in Angelic layer. When I watched the show once, I saw this really awesome kick that I just knew was PERFECT for Holly! Go check it out, it looks really awesome! Hope you guys liked the fight scene! I promise to update soon, so look out for the next chapter!
And thank you once again for reviewing the previous chapter! You guys are AWESOME! Thank you soooo much! I love your reviews!
See you then!
Oh, and bye bye Flossi!
