HELLO EVERYBODY! Wow. Long time no see. Apologies for the long update. I think I might be able to do 2 chapters in one month though. I think I can manage. Reasons for being so long, I had a kick-ass float trip down in Benet Springs. For those of you who have never been on a float trip, I highly recommend it. You're tired an sore for a few days after, but there is nothing more relaxing than getting a canoe and paddling down a calm flowing river, and making a couple of stops to swim and eat. Amazing. Also, I've been working on my script a bit more. Still under construction. I've finished the opening scen, but I haven't finished the entire begging. Getting there though. For those of you interested in reading it, give me your email and I'll send you a small copy once it's complete. This chapter is a bit of a closer. It is defiantly not the end chapter. Hell no. we got a bit of a ways to go. But it does end a major character conflict. See if you can identify it. The quote should be a pretty big hint. Speaking of which, there are two quotes now. And the first one if is from my new favorite comedian. He's been dead for quite a while, but I've finally got around to listening to some of his stuff, and I can honestly say that he's an American hero.. Any ways, enjoy this new chapter. Please review. And above all else, tell everyone you know. Spread the word.
Song: "Life on Mars," by; David Bowie
"All dads are goobers! I always hated my dad. Kids from across the street would say, 'I bet my dad could beat up your dad.' And I'd say 'when?' my dad mows the lawn on Saturdays. Have your dad come by and knock him upside the head with a rake handle."
Bill hicks.
It was horrible. It was miserable. It was by far one of the worst occurring injuries that he had ever experienced in his life. It not only stung like hell, and caused his brain to feel like an iron lung pulsing within his own cranium, but it lasted for a long, long time. The aftereffects however, were much, much worse than anything he could ever imagine. He had a terrible dream; a dream in which he remembered everything. He remembered being so young that he could hardly form a word. He remembered his father tickling his chin while his mother was preparing dinner. He remembered the happiness' that was present in the room within all of them. And he remembered how terrible it was when it all turned sour. He remembered in vivid detail of how the LEP broke into the manor as if they were the FBI, and kindly broke all of their windows and entrapped them in a government agency fashion. He remembered the deadly paranoia that circled the fowl family like a pack of rabid wolves as the LEP wolves themselves shoved them into a shuttle that was set to descend to the earth's crust at any given moment. He remembered how he screamed in bloody murder as the shuttle did just that.
But the worst part of this entire vision that he witnessed when he was out cold, was the fact that he remembered his father. He remembered that his father fought for him when the LEP tried to take him away and to Foaly. He fought valiantly and courageously for his son, and was welcomed with a buzz baton to the face. And what made this memory so wretched, was how Apollo compared this memory, to the more recent memories of how they were capture by the notorious, evil, and now dead as a door knob Lope. And Apollo remembered how much of a jerk he had been towards his father.
Which was part of the reason why as soon as Apollo awoke from his blackness, and noticed Artemis standing above him, the first thing he did was he leaped off the ground of if it was on fire, and hugged his father tightly, sobbing gently as more and more of his consciousness came back to him.
Artemis was, at first, taken back by this sudden change of attitude. He was not expecting any sympathy or apologies from anyone today, let alone Apollo, who proved himself to be quite the brat these past few hours. But as Apollo's tears began to stain his shoulders, Artemis began to pat his son on the back, softly proclaiming "It's okay. It's going to be alright."
Artemis understood on some level that emotions were a little high at the moment. Not only did he just regain his powers, but he had been to an underground civilization, got caught in a gang fight, was brought to a police station, captured by a crooked politician, escaped from said politician, was shot at by a bazooka, and almost died in the period of only 9 hours. The fact that Apollo was even mentally sane or even sound at the moment was just a miracle in action.
Apollo pulled back and wiped away his tears with his sleeves. Then he began to study his surroundings. The Tara shuttle port had a strain sleek and futuristic, yet all natural vibe flowing throughout the night air, which was crisp, cool, and the moister tasted ever so sweet. The night birds chirped out a sweet melody throughout the night air, and the crickets chirping caused an uncanny, yet fantastic harmonic sound to fall upon everyone's ear. Which begged the question, who exactly got to hear those sweet sound emitted by the nature surrounding the Tara Shuttle port? Well, those people would be…
Grub, who was honestly losing his freaking mine, shouting in hysterics at his brother, about how insane the situation was, and about how only a few minutes ago, he was just another desk worker at the finely equipped and potentially safe LEP building. So Grub was basically, asking in the kindest manner possible, "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?"
Trouble, who much to his credit, was trying explaining the entire situation to his frantic brother in the calmest manner possible. But, that would be considered impossible due to his brother's incomprehensible behavior.
Mulch, who was kindly making himself scarce as he walked through the woods and tried to steal anything that would satisfy his kleptomaniac-like tendencies, whether it was shinny rock, or a magic mushroom growing amongst the trees.
Julius, who looked up at the stars with the most forlorn, yet modest, and not in the least bit sympathetic stare that anyone, had ever seen. The only stare that could be comparable to the one the clone was giving off right now, would be the infamous thousand yard stare that only Vietnam veterans who had suffered much horrific pain could produce.
Foaly, who was working on establishing a barrier between their communication devices, and the communication devices of the LEP. After the death of such a public figure like councilmen Lope, all of the underground dwellers were probably going ape-shit. And fully knowing that it wouldn't take much to incite a riot and or a political stance from the residents underground, and calculating how many people might possible be double agents under Kobio's rule, Foaly knew it was his first priority to make sure that the Fowl family was equipped to go rouge, and yet be as comfortable with the position as humanly, or magically possible.
And finally, his mother, Holly, who was just ending a call with Juliet and her daughter on Arty's communicator which he had loaned to her earlier for this reason. Juliet would probably be in a war-like state, ready to kick ass and strike at any moment, but this was not the attitude which Artemis needed the Butler's to be in at this moment, not for this plan. They needed to be calm, sensible, and willing to listen first, then take charge. Knowing full and well that Holly chatting with Juliet was the equivalent of giving a house cat some cat nip, Artemis asked her politely to make the call. She spoke with the soothing voice that could have calmed even the hungriest of lions.
"Listen Juliet," she peacefully stated. "I understand that you want to protect our child and yours too, but the fact of the matter is that when Apollo was brought into this world, your daughter was assigned to protect him. Not you. Besides, it's going to be much harder to watch two children instead of one. And you and I both know its hell to just take care of one child as it is." Holly gave forth a small smile an all knowing way. A small silence followed immediately after. Suddenly, she winced as Juliet on the other end of the communicator, gave forth her rebuttal. "Okay, okay, okay." Holly proclaimed. "Calm down. I understand your concerns and I have mine as well, but for the plan to work, Melinda will have to stay behind. And trust me, you and I both fully know that she if very capable of kicking ass. And we're experts in the field aren't we?" a smug smile painted itself on her face. Suddenly, Juliet gave off her farewell address. Holly replied with a casual, "alright. See you tomorrow, bye." And with that, the communicator was shut off. She turned and faced the greatest sight of all time. Artemis, and their son Apollo, hugging each other in a caring and sensitive manner. No fighting, no smartass comment, just pure father and son love.
She smiled smugly, and placed her hands on her hips as she strode forward.
"Well, Well," she jokingly exclaimed. "Ain't this a fantastic sight? My son and husband hugging each other and not one hand wrapped around each other's throats. I'm so proud of you two." As she said her finally sentence, like a grandma at thanksgiving, she pinched Apollo's cheek. He replied with a giggle and a sniffle, due to the fact that he was caught in the middle of pouring out his emotions.
"Don't get use to it lady," He playfully grinned; a lone tear trailed down his face. "I'll be back to my usual bratty self in no time."
A strange silence fell amongst the family as they awkwardly stared at each other. The discomfort was broken when Holly smiled. She knew that even though he was telling the truth, she had her doubts that Apollo was ever going to be like his old self ever again. Suddenly, Artemis smiled too. A small family chuckle circle happened in an instant, and all hesitation to stay in control of one's emotions was lost into oblivion.
"Are you feeling okay?" Holly asked as she got the most overbearing question at the time off her chest.
With not one ounce of shame, guilt, or pride left in his body, Apollo proclaimed, "Not really. I'm very tired." And then begging like a lost puppy, he exclaimed, "can we go home now?"
Artemis gripped his son tightly in a powerful hug instantly. He realized at that moment, just how fragile his son was, and how his powers just completely drained him. he also realized how desperate the situation was to protect him, and the need to do so grew ever so stronger. Apollo at that moment, also realized, that his dad was not the cold heartless corporate vampire that Apollo assumed he was. Artemis, in the end, was just another human being, caught in this crazy ride called life.
Artemis, with a soothing tone, stated "Yes Son. Let's go home."
The road stretched out before him endlessly like the very fabric of space and time. The colors of the pavement blended together like some badly painted water color mural. While Apollo had never consumed any illegal drugs, the experience of riding down this desolate road towards the manor was easily comparable to someone's first hit of LSD. Apollo felt at one with the stoners of the universe as each yellow line flew past his eyes in a nanosecond. Apollo sat quietly in the passenger's seat, while the Bentley sped down the Ireland country side, and Apollo began thinking about his life. He relived it all, and by the end of it, he felt disgusted. His life was wonderful. He had a good caring adoptive mom back home, a kick ass biological mom, a rich biological father, and loving friends. So why did he act like an asshole towards them?
He asked his father that question as Artemis drove down the narrow patch of main road that led towards the manor. Artemis turned to his son, and without a hint of remorse or self-preservation, Artemis truthfully described, "Because you are. You are an asshole. But that's okay? Now, you may ask, 'how could the act of being an asshole ever be considered acceptable?' the answer to that lies within your age. You're a teenager Apollo. And Teenagers, by in large, are usually assholes. I was myself, and to this day, I've shown some characteristics of that nature. But one day, you'll grow out of that need to rebel and argue about everything, and you'll be a much more thankful person. Will you accept things as they are? Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? But for now, the best thing to do is to catch you in the act of doing something neglectful and harmful to one's emotional health, and just stop."
Apollo couldn't have agreed more. Maybe that's why Apollo lived by the Denis Leary motto. "I'm an asshole, and I'm proud of it." It's one thing to be an asshole. It's another thing when you're self-aware. He slid back into his seat as his thought and worries escaped him. Then, curiosity struck him.
"So what's the plan?" Apollo asked.
Artemis shrugged his shoulders. "Well, as you know, we are being hunted. And it doesn't take an expert to know that the best defense is a good offense. So, rather than just stand down and hide away, I, Holly, Foaly, Julius, and Mulch are going to travel to France and investigate the whereabouts of Marvin Lawrence; Opal weapons provider. Once we have the exact location of Opal's compound in the Sahara desert, we'll go after her, and finish the job that should have been completed a long time ago." A dark look plastered itself on his face as he exclaimed that last sentence. Destiny was going to unfold, and a chapter in Arty's life was going to be completed. The unfortunately side effect of this was, Apollo was not going to be a witness to that epic conclusion. "You, Grub, and Trouble are going to remain in the manor."
To say that Apollo was disappointed would've been an understatement. "What? Why?" Apollo exclaimed.
Artemis quirked a brow. "Do I really need to say it?" Artemis exclaimed sardonically. Then in all seriousness, "Apollo, you're the most valued member of our group right now. If you get captured or killed, the world is as good as done. We need to protect you. So, in order to do that, our first priority should be to keep you as far away from danger as possible. Grub and Trouble are good friends and are expert officers. I wouldn't worry about a thing."
"That doesn't concern me," Apollo stated. He shook away his anger, as he caught himself in the act of teenage ignorance. He calmed himself down and began to define his terms. "Besides my music, I don't think I ever felt this heavily invested in anything like this before. This is a true mission. It's like something out of a sci-fi fantasy novel. I want to experience it. Plus, I also want to make up for all the crappy things I did to you."
A light bulb flickered on in Artemis Fowl's brain. "You want to make it up to me?" He asked Apollo; fully knowing the answer. "You want to be a good boy? You'll stay in the manor. Besides, your biggest investment that you have made to this mission is staying alive. Don't screw it up now."
Apollo slid back in his seat with his arms crossed. Artemis Fowl was right, as always. If Apollo truly wanted to make it up to his father after such a bad first impression, the best thing he could do would be to obey his command. If Apollo were to follow his father, he'd more than likely end up dead. Apollo didn't want to die. But then again, Apollo didn't want to be left out of the mission either. It was a mental tight rope act, but in the end, the pros of staying in the manor, outweighed the cons of following Artemis to his grave. With nothing else left to say or do, Apollo began to set his eyes back upon the road, and listen to the monotone humming of the wind and their car engine running. After a while, however, the silence became to dreadful to listen to any longer, and the lad reached into his pocket, and pulled out his IPod.
"Mind if we listen to some tunes," Apollo asked as the machinery and headphones spilled into his hands.
Artemis, who was way too focused on the road, and way too tired to give a damn, decided to let it slide, and announced, "Why not."
However, Artemis Fowl's attitude changed when the song began playing. Apollo's song choice was a wise investment into getting Arty to understand and appreciate Apollo's musical taste. Arty's pupil's dilated when the sound of the grand piano forming the F chord reached his ear drums. And then, sublime even in this heavenly song, David Bowie's voice rang out from the Bentley's speakers.
"It's a God Awful small Affair/ to the girl with the mousy hair." David Bowie sang.
Life on Mars by David Bowie was a perfect song choice because, A.) Artemis Fowl highly appreciated and worshiped David Bowie music, and b.) Apollo realized that Arty had a rough day. And, also Arty's love for The Bowie, what better way to relax from today's events and relief the tension between the two than to listen to one of the greatest songs ever in existence.
As the song continued to play, Artemis began to sweat. He became very nervous. Why? It wouldn't be long before his mental wall broke down and he would start to sing along with the music. How embarrassing would it be for Apollo to witness that? His own father singing poorly to a David Bowie song? But then, something incredible happened. As the song continued to play, Artemis heard a strange harmonic tune coming from the passenger seat. He realized that Apollo was humming along to the music. Poorly, might I add. Maybe that was why Apollo was just a drummer, and not a singer. And out of nowhere, the humming transformed itself, into actually words, and Apollo began to sing along.
"But her friend is nowhere to be seen/ so she walks through a sunken dream." Apollo passionately sang with the tune. It was a song that affected him a lot on an emotional level, and that fact displayed itself when Apollo sang.
Finally, Arty's mental barrier crumbled into little tiny pieces, and he just gave up, and decided to indulge in the music in his own way.
"To the seats with the clearest view/ and she's hooked to the silver screen." The father and former teenage prodigy quietly began.
When Apollo heard this, he snapped to attention immediately. He had no idea that Artemis would begin to sing along. And while his voice was so bad, it was almost painful to hear, it strangely brought joy to his heart to hear his father desperately wanting to sing along. The only problem was, his confidence was so low, that he didn't have the courage to try and sing through it. Well, lucky for him, Apollo was a great confidence booster.
Staring right back at his father with a very wide grin, Apollo smiled and sang, "But the film is so saddening bore/ for she's lived it ten times or more!"
Artemis, while he was curious as to why Apollo wanted him to sing, felt weight being lifted off his shoulders when he realized that there would be no judgment on vocal qualities. With an even bigger smile, he proclaimed right back, along with the music, "She could spit in the eyes of Fool's/ as they ask her to focus on,"
And then, they lost themselves. Deep within the abysses of the wonderful music and the magnificent message of the song, Artemis and Apollo belted out the lyrics in a fashion that was more recognized with either town drunks or famous rock stars. Luckily for them, no one in the back woke up from their horrendous screaming. They smiled, laughed, and played along like father and son. Their bond was now complete, and while they knew that they wouldn't always see eye to eye, this moment made them realize that no matter what happened, they could look past their differences. For they shared one common trait. Passion. Whether it was for music or for science, truth or faith, the passion was there, and nothing could take that away. They were to valiant souls in the violent pinball game called life. And this was one of those moments that would remain in their minds forever. They had some of the greatest fun ever, as they sang out lot, together, in unsynchronized, but perfect harmony. Their voices carried on, into the dark and blissful Ireland night life….
"SAILORS! FIGHTING IN THE DANCE HALL/ OH MAN! LOOK AT THOSE CAVEMEN GO/ IT'S THE FREAKIEST SHOW/ TAKE A LOOK AT THE LAWMAN! BEATING UP THE WRONG GUY/ OH MAN! WONDER IF HE'LL EVER KNOW/ HE'S IN THE BEST SELLING SHOW! IS THERE LIFE ON MARS?"
The Bentley quietly pulled up to the manor's doorstep, in a complete disregard to Apollo and Artemis's karaoke idol that happened earlier tonight. Apollo was the first to step out of the vehicle; followed by Grub and Trouble who had been woken up earlier by a slap to the face from Holly. As Grub and Trouble stumbled into the house to make themselves comfortable, and Holly walked in for a brief second to show Trouble and Grub's the ins and outs of the manor, Apollo turned to his father, leaned his head into the passenger window, and began to make light conversation with his dad for the first time ever. It would be the first of many.
"So when do you reckon on being back?" Apollo asked.
"I don't have enough information at the moment to make an accurate estimation. But from my calculations, I'd say that if nothing goes wrong, opal will be buried 6 feet under in just 2 weeks." Artemis proclaimed with a smug grin. "I do want to apologies for your baby sitters though."
"I hate the fact that I'll have to be constantly guarded for the rest of my life." Apollo exasperated lightly as he turned his head to stare at the buffoons who would accompany him in the manor.
With a chuckle, Artemis proclaimed, "Welcome to the Fowl family my son. You're going to be guarded for the rest of your life."
Apollo lightly laughed at this comment. Then, as the laughter faded away, his eyes welded up with tears. His voice cracked when he spoke. "Listen….uh….I just want to apologize for being such a smart-ass, and a brat and I don't know what I'd be without y-"
Artemis Fowl cut him off short. And speaking of Short, Holly was making her way back to the car right now. Artemis told his son, "Relax. It's okay. Remember what I said earlier. If you really want to make it up to me, go in there and have some fun."
Apollo shrugged his shoulder and turned around to face the manor. That strange gothic design never ceased to amaze the lad, even to this very day. The height of the manor alone was enough to give Apollo a horrible case of vertigo. Before he walked into the manor and passed Holly, he told his father goodbye. However, in his goodbye, he said something that made Artemis thought the whole universe had exploded in a cheerful, yet cataclysmic explosion.
Walking forward Apollo proclaimed. "Okay. See you later dad."
Artemis Fowl's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Did he just go deaf? Was he hallucinating?
Holly caught whiffed of what had happened, and she was amazed by the whole experienced. Honestly, she was completely shocked and flabbergasted at how fast and how well their son turned to loving his father. Her jaw dropped as well. Once Apollo was inside, Holly proclaimed to her husband. "Did he just say what I think he said?"
A small tear of joy flowed down his face. It was the happiest moment of Artemis Fowl's laugh. He was now, a certifiable father. But his own kid recognized his existence, with one simple word.
"He called me daddy."
"Your father loves you, but he doesn't like you. His job is to tell you that you suck, and are worthless, so that when you get out there on your own, you don't end up sucking worthlessly. He makes you a better man, so that one day, you will have the strength and character, to give him the finger. You just pray that, on that day, he doesn't have the strength to rip that finger off"
Christopher Titus
It's a pretty short chapter, but that basically rounds out the first major segment of the story in a nutshell. So, in other words, the beginning is done, and the introduction to the major conflict has arrived, and the conflict between Artemis and Apollo has just been resolved. WOOT! Now they can have father and son moments. *cues the cheesy music that goes 'people let me tell you about my best friend.'*
I love the song choice btw. Listen to this song if ever possible. It's one of those songs you have to hear before you die. It will enhance your life. and yet, I still have no clue what the fuck Bowie was talking about. Strangely I picked two quotes for this chapter. Why? Well, I picked Bill Hicks because, he's LEGENDARY! And I picked Titus because he's my favorite comedian. I also picked Titus because I just listen to his newest special, Neverloution, (which is out on ITunes right now) and I got to say, if any one were to pick up the baton where Bill Hicks left off, I'd pick Titus. That album made me want to start a riot. It's amazing and you should buy it immediately.
Anyways, thank you so much for reading this chapter, and God Bless. PLEASE REVIEW!
PLEASE REVIEW!