Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this chapter except Rygar and that
name was stolen from a videogame. Eoin Colfer owns all the other stuff and
I'm glad he inspired me to write this.
A/N: This story is going to be somewhat slow but I'll try to get some action in a few of the chapters. It gets better as it goes on. I hope.
Chapter 2: A Rose Petal Falls
Holly sighed as she sat in front of her window. Two days of no work had really gotten to her and she had become restless. The only contact she had had with anyone concerning the LEP was Foaly and that conversation hadn't been the most pleasing. Just because some other inventor had gotten the money for weapons from the council, Holly had had to listen to 3 hours of complaints and viable reasons Foaly should have been the one to get the contract.
Sipping her water, Holly stared out the window remembering the guy she ran into outside of LEP headquarters. Holly was suddenly ripped from her reverie by a sharp knocking on her door. She stood and stretched slowly walking to her door. Who would come to see her right now.
Outside the door stood a skittish looking elf holding a dozen midnight blue roses. "Holly Short?" The small elf's voice was extremely squeaky and his eyes kept darting around as if he was looking for an escape.
"Yes this is her." With that the elf shoved the flowers into her hands and scurried down the hall.
Closing the door Holly inspected the flowers. No tag. No card. No anything. Just some roses dyed midnight blue. Shrugging Holly pulled out a vase. Maybe someone at the office was thinking of her. Well she'd have to uncover this another time. Roses and vase in hand, she proceeded back to her chair trying to pick the best place. After 10 minutes of deliberation she decided on the table.
Settling back in her chair she regarded the roses before falling into a deep contented sleep.
* * *
Foaly glared at the figure moving towards him. "Not him again." Foaly muttered darkly.
"Hello Foaly." Rygar smiled charmingly as he walked to the centaurs side.
"Hello Rygar." Foaly couldn't keep the disdain for the sprite next to him at bay and it showed in his words.
"Do I detect a note of contempt in your voice. Hey at least they trust you. The council won't accept my weapons until you've approved them and there's been a field test. And while I'm here I wanted to ask you a bit about some wings I've created." Rygar's smile had turned to a smirk. Teasing Foaly could be so much fun.
Foaly picked up the weapon that Rygar had set on the table and turned it over, "Come back in an hour and I'll tell you whether or not it passes."
Rygar sighed and picked up his bag, "Okay if that's what you want." Grinning wickedly he added, "I'm going to Lecko's. Would you like me to order anything for my favorite centaur."
Foaly's mind screamed 'Foul Play' but his stomach had another idea. The quiet grumbling in his stomach was easily picked up by Rygar's sensitive ears and his grin widened, "I'll take that as a yes. The usual then I suppose. How could you eat that though. Never mind just inspect the weapon."
Foaly watched Rygar rise off the ground and zip out the doors. Annoying sprites. Foaly turned to the task at hand. 'Hmm. this is a pretty good weapon. Close to my design and maybe even better.' Foaly scowled at the weapon. Why did this always happen to him.
Just then a wicked idea flashed into Foaly's mind. What if he tampered with it a little. Just enough to keep it from working. Then his conscience kicked in.
Well maybe not. 'Just inspect the stupid thing already.' And Foaly did just that waiting for the annoying sprite and lunch to come flying through his door.
+ + * * * + + + Holly awoke with a start. Only snatches of her dream came to her as she got up from the chair. Looking around she made sure everything was in order. In her dream something had set off an explosion but what.
It was just a dream. So why did it feel so real. Shaking her head Holly sat back down. Then a high pitched whirring sound drew her attention. There on the table one of the roses opened wider. This was just like her dream.
Tipping the chair over as she ran to the door she listened as the sound intensified. Throwing the door open the sound stopped and Holly only had time to utter one thing before the explosion hit her, "D'Arvit."
* * *
Artemis watched the landscape slip by as the car thundered on. Whoever that was, was going to get a big surprise when he showed up. A plan to rescue his family already danced around in his head but he didn't know what kind of fairy he was dealing with. Artemis drummed his fingers absently as his thought's shifted to that of the People underground. Sighing he remember their Russian adventure and the reason he didn't go with his mother to see his father. The vision of his father spinning from his chair and the splatter of blood replayed themselves constantly in his mind. Sure it had been Artemis's blood but he risked killing his father. Which could have happened had not Captain Holly Short been there.
They pulled up in front of their destination and the iron gates instantly pulled open. The silence was eerie as they approached the manor. No crickets chirping or birds singing anywhere near this place.
Butler pulled around and stepped from the car. As he pulled open Artemis's door he kept one hand stationed on his Sig Sauer while his eyes constantly searched the area. They approached the door, Butler in front, and as soon as they hit the porch the door creaked open.
'This is like one of those really bad horror movies.' Artemis smiled at the idea. Did the fairy even know what a horror movie was? Filing that in the back of his mind for later reference he strode through the door throwing on an air of extreme importance.
"Artemis. How lovely to see you so early. I didn't even get the banquet started." The voice seemed to come from everywhere in the house at once startling Artemis and Butler.
A figure stepped partially from the shadows, his face still concealed. The figure's hand went to the wall and a table rose up from the floor holding four midnight blue roses. The figure gestured towards the table, "We're gonna play a little game. I want one of you to pick a rose. Three have names. Pick the wrong one and you have to pick two. Which one of you wants to chose?"
Artemis stepped tentatively up to the table, "What happens once we pick a name?"
The darkness seemed to increase in the room as an uproarious laugh bounced off the walls. The figure stopped laughing and straitened up, "Why my boy what do you think?" Not waiting for a reply he continued on, "Well first we play a second game and if one of you can win that I'll allow you to save that person that was picked. But if you lose, that person loses their life."
Artemis gulped, his image visibly shaken, but he was not to be beaten. "Well I don't quite feel like playing this game." Smiling Artemis backed from the table and raised a hand. Butler took the signal and pulled the Sig Sauer from it's holster. He fired six shots but none of them ever reached their target. The bullets stopped inches from the outstretched hand and one was plucked lazily from the air.
"Really Mud Man, are these supposed to scare me?" Waving a hand the bullets flew throughout the room landing in various corners with small clanks. The one in his hand he flicked and it whizzed past Artemis's ear. "Don't play the game? Who ever said you had that option?"
Artemis looked over hesitantly at the stupefied bodyguard and slowly returned his gaze to the table. With a nervous laugh he stepped up to the table, "So I'll just pick one." Plucking a rose from the table he turned the tag over. The label read in large blue letters 'PICK TWO MORE'.
Artemis grabbed two more and read the tags aloud, "Juliet. and Angeline." Artemis let out an internal sigh. What ever this 'GAME', the nut had in mind, Butler could surely handle it.
"Well now your both ready for our game." A clapping and a blinding flash left only darkness in their wake.
________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Excuse me while I groan about finals. Well I hope you like the story. R & R please. And if you don't like the story please keep your opinion to yourself. Thanks to the few who have replied and continue doing so.
A/N: This story is going to be somewhat slow but I'll try to get some action in a few of the chapters. It gets better as it goes on. I hope.
Chapter 2: A Rose Petal Falls
Holly sighed as she sat in front of her window. Two days of no work had really gotten to her and she had become restless. The only contact she had had with anyone concerning the LEP was Foaly and that conversation hadn't been the most pleasing. Just because some other inventor had gotten the money for weapons from the council, Holly had had to listen to 3 hours of complaints and viable reasons Foaly should have been the one to get the contract.
Sipping her water, Holly stared out the window remembering the guy she ran into outside of LEP headquarters. Holly was suddenly ripped from her reverie by a sharp knocking on her door. She stood and stretched slowly walking to her door. Who would come to see her right now.
Outside the door stood a skittish looking elf holding a dozen midnight blue roses. "Holly Short?" The small elf's voice was extremely squeaky and his eyes kept darting around as if he was looking for an escape.
"Yes this is her." With that the elf shoved the flowers into her hands and scurried down the hall.
Closing the door Holly inspected the flowers. No tag. No card. No anything. Just some roses dyed midnight blue. Shrugging Holly pulled out a vase. Maybe someone at the office was thinking of her. Well she'd have to uncover this another time. Roses and vase in hand, she proceeded back to her chair trying to pick the best place. After 10 minutes of deliberation she decided on the table.
Settling back in her chair she regarded the roses before falling into a deep contented sleep.
* * *
Foaly glared at the figure moving towards him. "Not him again." Foaly muttered darkly.
"Hello Foaly." Rygar smiled charmingly as he walked to the centaurs side.
"Hello Rygar." Foaly couldn't keep the disdain for the sprite next to him at bay and it showed in his words.
"Do I detect a note of contempt in your voice. Hey at least they trust you. The council won't accept my weapons until you've approved them and there's been a field test. And while I'm here I wanted to ask you a bit about some wings I've created." Rygar's smile had turned to a smirk. Teasing Foaly could be so much fun.
Foaly picked up the weapon that Rygar had set on the table and turned it over, "Come back in an hour and I'll tell you whether or not it passes."
Rygar sighed and picked up his bag, "Okay if that's what you want." Grinning wickedly he added, "I'm going to Lecko's. Would you like me to order anything for my favorite centaur."
Foaly's mind screamed 'Foul Play' but his stomach had another idea. The quiet grumbling in his stomach was easily picked up by Rygar's sensitive ears and his grin widened, "I'll take that as a yes. The usual then I suppose. How could you eat that though. Never mind just inspect the weapon."
Foaly watched Rygar rise off the ground and zip out the doors. Annoying sprites. Foaly turned to the task at hand. 'Hmm. this is a pretty good weapon. Close to my design and maybe even better.' Foaly scowled at the weapon. Why did this always happen to him.
Just then a wicked idea flashed into Foaly's mind. What if he tampered with it a little. Just enough to keep it from working. Then his conscience kicked in.
Well maybe not. 'Just inspect the stupid thing already.' And Foaly did just that waiting for the annoying sprite and lunch to come flying through his door.
+ + * * * + + + Holly awoke with a start. Only snatches of her dream came to her as she got up from the chair. Looking around she made sure everything was in order. In her dream something had set off an explosion but what.
It was just a dream. So why did it feel so real. Shaking her head Holly sat back down. Then a high pitched whirring sound drew her attention. There on the table one of the roses opened wider. This was just like her dream.
Tipping the chair over as she ran to the door she listened as the sound intensified. Throwing the door open the sound stopped and Holly only had time to utter one thing before the explosion hit her, "D'Arvit."
* * *
Artemis watched the landscape slip by as the car thundered on. Whoever that was, was going to get a big surprise when he showed up. A plan to rescue his family already danced around in his head but he didn't know what kind of fairy he was dealing with. Artemis drummed his fingers absently as his thought's shifted to that of the People underground. Sighing he remember their Russian adventure and the reason he didn't go with his mother to see his father. The vision of his father spinning from his chair and the splatter of blood replayed themselves constantly in his mind. Sure it had been Artemis's blood but he risked killing his father. Which could have happened had not Captain Holly Short been there.
They pulled up in front of their destination and the iron gates instantly pulled open. The silence was eerie as they approached the manor. No crickets chirping or birds singing anywhere near this place.
Butler pulled around and stepped from the car. As he pulled open Artemis's door he kept one hand stationed on his Sig Sauer while his eyes constantly searched the area. They approached the door, Butler in front, and as soon as they hit the porch the door creaked open.
'This is like one of those really bad horror movies.' Artemis smiled at the idea. Did the fairy even know what a horror movie was? Filing that in the back of his mind for later reference he strode through the door throwing on an air of extreme importance.
"Artemis. How lovely to see you so early. I didn't even get the banquet started." The voice seemed to come from everywhere in the house at once startling Artemis and Butler.
A figure stepped partially from the shadows, his face still concealed. The figure's hand went to the wall and a table rose up from the floor holding four midnight blue roses. The figure gestured towards the table, "We're gonna play a little game. I want one of you to pick a rose. Three have names. Pick the wrong one and you have to pick two. Which one of you wants to chose?"
Artemis stepped tentatively up to the table, "What happens once we pick a name?"
The darkness seemed to increase in the room as an uproarious laugh bounced off the walls. The figure stopped laughing and straitened up, "Why my boy what do you think?" Not waiting for a reply he continued on, "Well first we play a second game and if one of you can win that I'll allow you to save that person that was picked. But if you lose, that person loses their life."
Artemis gulped, his image visibly shaken, but he was not to be beaten. "Well I don't quite feel like playing this game." Smiling Artemis backed from the table and raised a hand. Butler took the signal and pulled the Sig Sauer from it's holster. He fired six shots but none of them ever reached their target. The bullets stopped inches from the outstretched hand and one was plucked lazily from the air.
"Really Mud Man, are these supposed to scare me?" Waving a hand the bullets flew throughout the room landing in various corners with small clanks. The one in his hand he flicked and it whizzed past Artemis's ear. "Don't play the game? Who ever said you had that option?"
Artemis looked over hesitantly at the stupefied bodyguard and slowly returned his gaze to the table. With a nervous laugh he stepped up to the table, "So I'll just pick one." Plucking a rose from the table he turned the tag over. The label read in large blue letters 'PICK TWO MORE'.
Artemis grabbed two more and read the tags aloud, "Juliet. and Angeline." Artemis let out an internal sigh. What ever this 'GAME', the nut had in mind, Butler could surely handle it.
"Well now your both ready for our game." A clapping and a blinding flash left only darkness in their wake.
________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Excuse me while I groan about finals. Well I hope you like the story. R & R please. And if you don't like the story please keep your opinion to yourself. Thanks to the few who have replied and continue doing so.