Thanks to the people reviewed (you know who you are)

Thanks to the people who reviewed (you know who you are). Sorry I haven't written for a while I got writers block halfway through. You might notice where.

Our Last Chance

The two Artemis' looked at each other for a few seconds, and then the Artemis stuck to the tree looked at Alpha again.

"You mind if you remove these." He said gesturing as best he could towards the tonfa still under his armpits.

Without a word Alpha strode over to Artemis and pulled the weapons from their imprisoning position. Looking at his double Artemis saw that instead of his usual suit his parallel was wearing a jumpsuit much like the ones Holly wore. This one however was a lot more damaged and looked fairly old by fairy standards. His twin also looked a lot older and bigger, his face had many faint lines on it but what could be seen of his muscles were nearly double the size of Artemis'.

As Alpha made to return the tonfa to their holsters the bigger Artemis stopped him and asked whether he could look at them. Alpha complied and Artemis saw his double look with an expert eye at the weapon he held. When the doubles eyes fell upon the symbol engraved upon the weapon he quickly dropped it as if he couldn't help himself. Alpha retrieved the weapon before the parallel Artemis spoke again.

"Still using those old things Alpha?"

Alpha nodded stowing the tonfa back in their holsters.

"Why how long has he had them?" said Artemis (the original).

His double looked up at him. "He's had them ever since he joined, which was a few months after the first vampires appeared. Apparently he got them from HIM for fulfilling the "contract"."

Artemis nodded; it made sense it explained why it had HIS symbol on.

"But I'm rather surprised Alpha hasn't got rid of them." He continued seeming to direct it at Alpha whose arms were crossed ("defensive position" thought Artemis) and was listening with unusual attention. "They connect you to that part of your past. Its almost as if you want to do another mission for him."

At these words Artemis suddenly saw his double being held by the throat about a foot off the ground by Alpha. Even in the dim light Artemis could see Alpha's face of anger and flickers of fear as he obviously remembered what had happened.

"Never even suggest it again." Alpha growled at the face just above his which was starting to turn red. "I keep the weapons because they are the best to kill the vampires with. If I face a choice between a mission from him and death I'll take death no matter what it is." He then dropped Artemis who landed on all fours gasping. Alpha's face was now neutral again and he looked as calm as ever. Artemis' double got up breathing heavily but before he could say anything Artemis interrupted.

"Listen I'm sure we agree that none of us want anything to do with HIM again." At which all three of them agreed.

Then behind them the ship opened up and Holly, Root and Charlie came running out.

Artemis' double lowered his voice and spoke quickly. "Listen, we'll carry on this conversation later. He maybe more dangerous than Opal is but he isn't trying to kill us (not yet anyway). But as soon as we get rid of the vampires and Opal we need to pay our attention to him. He needs to be stopped."

Before Artemis could answer, the others were upon them.

"A21!" cried Charlie before throwing her arms around the parallel's neck.

"A21?" asked Holly slightly incredulously eyeing what could be seen of Artemis' double (which wasn't enough for her to know who it was).

"Codename." Replied Root who also seemed very happy to see "A21" again.

"But who is he?"

"He's me in this universe." Answered Artemis.

Holly stared at both Artemis and his double, whom was now shaking hands with Root, and then groaned.

"Great, two Artemis' I thought one was bad enough."

Hearing this A21 looked up and saw Holly. The smile on his face seemed to freeze. But a second later his expression was normal and he carried on talking with Root.

A21 was now surrounded by Charlie, Root and Alpha, all catching up on news (apart from Alpha) that left both Artemis and Holly as outcasts. They glanced at each other and quickly looked away. Artemis had just gathered enough courage to ask when the others came over.

"Maybe next time." He mused before pushing it out of his mind for the moment.

"Listen," said A21. "Its not safe here, Opal sends scanners all over the area every day and night. They'll be here soon so we need to get out of the open."

With that and not waiting for any response he turned round and started walking deeper into the woods. Artemis chuckled to himself as they all followed as best they could in the dark, he recognized the tactic A21 was using. They hadn't walked far before they stopped in front of a large tree. Rapping upon it in an unusual tune, which sounded like a mixture of human nursery rhymes and fairy ones, A21 then proceeded to put his hand inside a small knot. Suddenly a doorway in the tree appeared and they saw the tree was hollow inside with a dwarf in, who had evidently opened the door. The dwarf himself was wearing a jumpsuit like A21's if a bit shabbier and on his left was a knife sheath and the other was a very nasty looking gun. Following the others into the tree Artemis could see that it had been made into a rather primitive looking elevator, all made of wood and ropes, no metal at all. Once everyone was in the dwarf closed the door, which Artemis knew would be invisible from the outside and then tugged at a load of rope beside him that started to unravel slowly. As the rope unravelled the elevator went down at a reasonable pace. The dwarf looked at his watch, tapped it and then kicked the rope, causing to unravel faster causing the elevator to start dropping at an increasingly alarming rate. Artemis was just starting to get apprehensive when they stopped. Just like that, sending Artemis sprawling on to floor with the sudden halt. Only A21, Alpha and the dwarf were still standing. Artemis watched as the dwarf pulled a much more advanced looking lever, which had appeared when they had stopped. There was rumbling and grinding of gears as the tunnel above started to close, eventually leaving nothing to look at but a sheet of metal. Artemis got to his feet and climbed off the elevator quickly.

"Next time I'll take the stairs."

After another short walk Artemis found himself around a circular table with Holly, A21, Alpha, Root, Charlie and two other fairies that he didn't recognize. In the centre of the table was a hologram of the mountain spinning slowly. A21 took out a laser pointer, which he tapped the hologram with. It suddenly stopped spinning, enlarged and showed what were evidently tunnels and rooms inside the mountain. Some of the corridors and rooms were white and some were red.

"You couldn't of come at better time." Said A21 turning to face Artemis and his group. The other fairies remained silent. Glancing at them A21 continued.

"We are just about to launch one last attempt at taking back the world. Inside every vampire is"

"A robot that controls the vampires." Interrupted Charlie.

A21 blinked then continued. "Precisely. It was receiving a signal which"

"You traced to here." Root finished his sentence for him.

Frowning slightly A21 nodded. "We plan to storm the mountain and"

"Take control of the vampires for yourself and destroy them." Holly suggested.

One of the fairies opposite narrowed their eyes while the other stroked his chin methodically.

A21 scowled. "And I suppose you know what our assault plan is as well." He said sarcastically.

"Well I don't know about that." Said Artemis who was now examining the map. "But this looks like a map of the mountain. As the mountain is lead lined I would say that you have already sent someone in to get you the map of this place." Glancing at A21 he could see a pissed off expression forming on his face.

"Fine, since you know everything already then I'll just get on with it."

A21 lifted his free hand and ran it through his hair.

"There are two ways in or at least will be." Pointing to two points on the map. "The obvious one is through the top into the volcano. The other one will be created during the attack." Indicating a point where two paths nearly met. "This is the plan Alpha and a small team will take your ship and…"

"Wait a sec," interrupted Holly with half a glance at Artemis. "Who's going to be driving it?"

A21 grinned. "Who do you think is driving it now?" When Holly's face remained unchanged A21 supplied "Doodah Day."

"Anyway that doesn't matter as its all taken care of. It is all taken care of isn't it?" He shot at one of the fairies.

"We have just received a report from Doodah Day" the fairy spoke in a monotone more mono than his face. "He has managed to avoid the scouts and is parking it in a more secure place."

"There you go, no problem. So Doodah Day, Alpha and a few others will take the ship and enter through the top. As soon as they start to make enough noise we'll blow the charges here." A red dot appeared in between the two paths that were so close. "The rest of us will then go along here." Pointing out a red path that started to pulse. "Eventually arriving at this room here." The appropriate room pulsed. "From what we managed to gather this is where most energy is being used. It therefore makes sense that this is where the control room is most likely to be." His laser pointer receded and the hologram died away.

"In the mean time you should get some rest and food. I'm sure these two will be happy to show you round." Gesturing towards the two fairies. In Artemis' opinion they looked the complete opposite to this however they stood up with everyone else and led the way out of the room. Artemis was just about to leave when…

"Wait a moment Artemis," said A21. "I'd like a word."

Looking around Artemis saw A21 reclining in one of the chairs slightly. Holly was hanging around the door so A21 added, "Privately."

Holly scowled slightly and stomped out. Artemis didn't need to be a mind reader to know what she was thinking, but he wouldn't say it aloud. (There's no point putting it in, as it would have to be censored.)

A21 leaned back in his chair and regarded Artemis who regarded right back. Then A21 stood up.

"You'll be fighting won't you?"

Although this was not his usual occupation Artemis nodded.

"With Holly?"

Artemis nodded again. Everything he knew A21 knew so there was no point to elaborate.

A21 nodded and patted Artemis' shoulder as he went past. Before he left however he said one final thing. "Protect her with your life Artemis," one hand on the door. "Because without her life hardly seems worth living." Artemis looked at him.

"Did you…?"

"Yes…long ago." Artemis watched him carefully but A21 looked normal and after a pause he left leaving Artemis to his very complicated thoughts.

A few hours later after dinner and a shower Holly was to be found in the female barracks alone too energetic to sleep, wearing some issue pyjamas, her hair still wet from the water and her head still full of the same puzzle that haunted Artemis' mind. As if her last thought had been broadcast, someone knocked on the door and Artemis came in. He too had had a shower and his wet hair fell slightly over his eyes, while wearing a midnight blue dressing gown. Where Artemis had materialized this dressing gown was anyone's guess but it did make him look good. Holly shook herself mentally; she shouldn't be having these thoughts about Artemis, not now at least.

"Would you like a drink?" It was a while before she realised Artemis was talking to her. He was holding up a bottle and was smiling sheepishly. Holly chuckled and sat down on a bunk while Artemis sat opposite and poured its contents into two glasses, handing one to Holly. Holly smelt it; she tasted it and was surprised to find it was fairy wine. How Artemis had managed to unearth a wine this good was again anyone's guess.

As if this thought had been heard Artemis said.

"I got this down at stores, as this could be some peoples last day they're enjoying themselves."

Holly raised her eyebrows at these words but decided not to comment.

She took another sip of her wine and herself thinking of home and all the people who would miss her if she never got back. Foaly, Mulch, Doodah Day. She wondered whether her family would, she hadn't spoken to them for so long. Well she knew Internal Affairs wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Glancing at Artemis she saw him staring into his glass of wine, lost in thought.

This could be my last chance, our last chance. She should tell him. The next question she would later regret for the rest of her life.

"Artemis, What do you think our chances are for tomorrow?"

Artemis looked up.

"About 50-50 I'd guess." He glanced at her glass before he continued. "But I think Alpha's distraction is a bit obvious. Flying into the middle of a volcano is a bit…"

"Alpha can't fly." Said Holly slowly frowning slightly.

"He's going to be in the ship, Holly." Artemis answered gently.

Holly smiled. "Of course, just feeling tired." Then she frowned again. Her thoughts were slowing down, so was her speech and her eyelids were feeling heavier too. What had happened? She'd been energetic only a minute before now it was an effort just to hold her wine glass. She saw Artemis glance at the wine glass she put down on the table.

"Artemis." She said furiously. She lifted her arm to sock him but the sleeping draft hit her she could him. Artemis caught her before she hit the floor lying her down slowly and carefully. As quickly as he could Artemis rolled Holly under a bed making sure she was well out of sight. The sedative would wear off just after 24 hours. Artemis sighed but regretted nothing. The alternative was too terrible for it to be considered. There was one last thing he had to do before he left more for himself than anyone else. He bent down and whispered in Holly's ear.

"I'm sorry for this, and everything else. For kidnapping you, for lying to you, for manipulating you,… for everything. I'm sorry. But life without you would be much worse than asking for your forgiveness because…I love you."

Artemis paused, thinking. But there was nothing more to say.

"I'll see you later." He whispered 'I hope' he thought.

Artemis stood up but just before he turned and left the room a pair of eyes blinked and vanished from the crack in the door Artemis had failed to close properly.

OK, OK. I think its Clichéd and sappy. But what do you think? I might rewrite this if I need to. Please review.