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In future
"Well? Is it ready?"
Riley let out an exasperated sigh as he turned around to face the used-to-be pixie, "You know, Miss Belinda, I would greatly appreciate it if you won't ask that question every five minutes. It's getting annoying."
Opal only rolled her eyes as she continued to eat her truffles. Riley rolled his eyes as well and continued his work. This day was the deadline. Whether he likes it or not, he will show the obsessed pi-man the machine in good shape. But as usual, he is delaying the time as much as he could by merely using the excuse that he is doing some final check-ups.
"Why is it taking long then?" Opal asked as she popped another truffle in her mouth.
"I didn't entirely build this machine. I'm not as smart as my father," Riley answered back, irritated.
"True, and your father is not much of a genius either," Opal said
Riley bit his tongue to refrain himself from answering back. With Pandora, Opal's two dimwitted guards and his mother accompanying her, he would be good as dead.
"So how does this machine works?" his mother asked, one hand already on her gun; just in case Riley did something threatening.
"It lets you travel back in time. I'm just merely checking if the power source can handle the electricity that will be passed to the machine." Riley explained, not caring if she understood it or not. He was not in a mood for a lecture and he was not in the mood to argue with his mother.
After checking on some wires, Riley put on two watch-like devices on his wrist as he turned the machine on.
"What are those?" Opal asked suspiciously. Riley looked at her blankly
"These are homing device," he lied innocently, "The other one is a backup in case something bad happens,"
Actually, it was a half lie. Those were really homing devices but those were the devices he and Cythus had worked on. The main plan was to give that to Temmy. The first device will copy the data entered on the time machine so the user of the device can determine the exact date, time and place the user of the time machine entered and the device can also transmit the user to a specific time zone and can also return the user to the current time zone he/she came from. The second device, on the other hand, will just simply return the user back to its original time zone.
Though placing such responsibility on his brother is risky, Riley can't think of any other way on defeating the pi-man. Surely, he can't do much here and the same goes with his father. Since Opal has her mind set on destroying the Fowl family back in time, the battle will definitely be in the time stream.
Riley sighed, hoping and praying with all his heart that the favor of every deity he could think of is with them.
"Anyone wants to volunteer to try it first?" Riley asked his small audience, convinced that none of them would even try.
"What's the catch?" Opal asked still suspicious
"Simple, if it's successful you can land on the desired timeline you picked and with this device you can return safely here." Riley answered in an 'isn't-it-obvious-duh?' way that made Opal's question sound like it's the dumbest question asked.
"And if it's not?" his mother asked
Riley gave a shrug, "You get lost in the past with no means of returning back." He left out the part where if that happens, the whole future time stream would be changed.
There was a moment of silence.
"Why don't you try it then," Opal said after her moment of thinking
Riley blinked twice and then feigned innocence, he was good at that, "Me? Why me?" he asked pointing at himself in surprise, like a normal teenage guy would do when he is unexpectedly called by his teacher.
"Because I said so, that's what." Opal answered with an evil smirk
"You trust me into going it that portal?" Riley asked, still feigning innocence Opal let out an annoying laugh that caused Riley's nerves to boil so he just bit his tongue till his temper calmed down a little.
"I won't call it trust though," she said with an evil smile as she took a bite of a chocolate truffle, "Let put it like this, like any lab rats, the researcher won't care if it dies during a test. In short, losing you in a time stream won't matter."
Riley glared at her for a moment then rolled his eyes as he walked towards the machine, "I'm deeply moved by your thoughtful explanation Miss Belinda, and secondly, it was never your research."
Opal let out a satisfied laugh as Riley dialed some digits on the time slot.
"What time zone are you going, lab rat?" Opal asked suddenly
Riley simply stepped aside to reveal the time slot, "25th of December more than twenty years before,"
"Why that specific date?" his mother asked, suspicious.
"I've heard rumors about the largest quantum physics seminar held here in Ireland during that year. Some say that it was worth attending. I want to find out if it was true," Riley lied and it came out naturally than expected.
The reason was acceptable enough that no one else asked any further questions.
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Meanwhile…
Having twin brothers was the last thing Artemis expected when he returned his three-year disappearance during their adventure in Hybras. Though they sometimes get into his nerves, Artemis loves his brothers very much. However, though he may not admit it to himself, he doesn't know how to reach out to them. Of course, he knows his brothers love him too but his three-year absence somehow created a small gap between them. Artemis somewhat regretted not seeing his brothers grow to what they are now. Sure, his mother told him stories about his brothers during his absence but the feeling is different.
Artemis remembered the time when he came home after returning from Hybras. Of course, after a series of scolding and lectures, his parents called in the twins for Artemis to meet. At the sight of Artemis, the twins immediately went close to their mother and asked who the stranger was; even though Angeline kept on telling them years back that Artemis is their bother.
Artemis felt hurt, not that he can blame the twins for it but still, it hurts.
Fortunately, the twins adopted fast.
Artemis carried his brothers to their room, after being forced to do so. How Artemis managed to do it, only God knows. But little did he know, Artemis was about to do something he never did before.
"Can you tell us a story big brother Arty?" Beckett asked after Artemis tucked them both to bed. This is the first time the twins asked their older brother to read them a story.
"A story?" Artemis repeated, making sure he heard it right
"Not just any story," Myles chimed in rolling his eyes, "A Christmas Story"
Every night before the twins would go to sleep; Artemis Fowl Senior would read them a story, like he used to do when Artemis II was young. However, unlike Artemis childhood, the twins childhood were normal; no worries, no pressure and no high expectations from their father to continue the Fowl legacy. Artemis II remembered those nights when his father would read about The Crock of Gold, the story that set his mindset on gold and leprechauns.
That was the family motto before: Aurum est potestas, gold is power but after the Arctic rescue years back, Artemis Fowl Senior had a change of heart. Artemis II was actually happy that his brothers didn't get to experience the bitter childhood he had that mold him to what he is before; a selfish pampered criminal genius brat who only focuses on wealth and glory and doesn't care about others.
"Can you tell the Christmas Carol?" Myles requested
Artemis looked over his shoulders to look at his mother and father who were standing at the doorway looking fondly at their children.
"I know, why don't you act it. Like a small play," Beckett exclaimed cheerfully, "Right Mommy?"
"I would love to watch that," Angeline said with a soft smile
Artemis' eyes widen. A play?
"Mother," the young Irish genius said or more like pleaded hoping for a way out.
"Oh come one Arty, where is your Christmas Spirit," Artemis Senior said Artemis' eyes blinked twice. Is he really hearing this?
"Yeah, Arty can play Schrudge," Beckett said with a giggle.
"It's Scrooge Beckett not Schrudge and no I refuse to be part of such a ridiculous act." Artemis answered,
"He will make a good Schudge," Myles murmured
Artemis' answer was firm. No ridiculous play. However he did read them the requested story despite of the distractions. His mother filmed the whole thing since it was a once-in-a-blue moon event. Artemis made a mental note to find the soft copy of that film after the story-reading session is finished. Holly, Juliet and Minerva also watched a part of Artemis' story-reading session. Juliet that time gave a phone call to Artemis senior, Holly passed by the hall in search of Temmy and Minerva was on her way to the kitchen for a glass of water.
Of course, when the story ended, only Artemis Senior and Angeline were left standing on the doorway again.
This moment was a family moment after all.
After the story the twins bade their big brother goodnight, earning a genuine smile from Artemis. It wasn't the vampire smile he used to give to everyone but a rare smile that dozens of fan girls in and out of his school would swoon and faint at the sight of it. Artemis bade them goodnight as well before he left.
"You will wake us up early tomorrow, right?" Beckett asked his mother as she kissed his forehead.
"Of course we will, it's Christmas," Angeline answered
"Do you think big brother Arty will like the gift we bought for him?" Myles asked as he too received a kiss on the forehead from their mother.
Angeline smiled. Unknown to Artemis, the twins bought a gift for their brother, a very unexpected gift it is.
"I'm sure he will"
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