Artemis Fowl: Operation Rainbow

By Angelic Princess

Disclaimer: I really would appreciate it if you gave some ideas on where this story is going. I don't have any real idea, just writing it as I go, so plz review! I don't own Artemis Fowl, only the original characters.

Chapter 3: The First Meeting

ARTEMIS looked out over the balcony at the sprawling city of Florence. He looked at his watch and sighed. The breeze was refreshing after the long trip there and the weather was excellent.

"They should be here any minute," he said to Butler.

Ah, he thought, as he spotted a white limousine coming up the hotel drive, that's probably them. He walked calmly out of his rooms and into the elevator. (Checking in the mirror before going in, of course) He wanted to look especially business-like and merciless for the (so-called) owner of the Diamond Sceptre.

Alicia Angel got gracefully out of the limousine, looking beautiful and professional as always. A young man got out after her and took her luggage for her. If you looked close enough, you could tell that the man was of some relation to Alicia.

Just as they were about to walk into the elevator, Artemis walked out, supposedly by coincidence. Both knew immediately who the other was. Now, when Artemis wants to make an impression on someone, he can.

Alicia happened to be the unlucky target then, and was more than surprised when the intimidating, dangerously handsome youth came out, with a giant of a man just a step behind him, subtly armed from head to toe.

It looked like she shimmered invisibly for a second, but the young man behind her put a protective hand on her shoulder and she was back to being calmly composed. On the other hand, when Artemis first saw her, he visibly started.

The person standing before him right now was nothing like the person he'd imagine he'd be meeting. She was also a lot younger. The slim girl that stood in front of him was of Asian-American appearance and she had an overall sweetness to her that immediately captured your attention. Silky, long, black tresses framed her face. Wisps of hair blew gently across it. She had a smooth, creamy complexion and soft luscious lips. She was wearing a pretty, light blue halter-neck top with long denim designer skirt.

But her most astonishing and attractive features were her large, long-lashed eyes, which were of a deep violet hue. They held a wicked glint in them, that looked like they could turn from cold contempt, to pure innocence or a fiery defiance in a flash. The man behind her was glaring at him openly, as if he had one something wrong just by looking at her. Artemis started by saying,

"I was expecting someone-"

"Older?" Alicia enquired politely, "Yes, so was I. Where is Master Fowl Senior?"

"I could ask the same of you," said Artemis. She sighed.

"I have to go freshen up in my rooms, but you can go down to that nice little café down there and wait for me. I think it's called Café Piacevole, or something like that."

Then she went into the elevator without even waiting for a reply. Artemis blinked, then shaking his head, went out to wait at the Café.

In her rooms, Alicia told the young man to put her bags down and wait for her. She applied a little mascara and lipgloss, brushed through her silky hair and checked that her little gun and dagger were safely tucked away in her clothes. She motioned for the young man to follow her.

When she arrived at the Café, Artemis was already drinking some coffee and talking to Butler. She sat down and mockingly gasped,

"You started without me! Waiter! I would like a cappuccino, ASAP please!" Turning back to Artemis, who was staring at her, she said, "What? Coffee is my heaven! I can't do anything without it." The young man behind her rolled his eyes. "I'll pretend I didn't see that. So let's start off with a little small talk shall we?"

"Wait!" said Artemis, getting a bit agitated, "First there is something I must ask you. How do you know about Holly?"

"That's been on your chest ever since I mentioned it to you, hasn't it?" She smiled evilly. "Well, I'm afraid you'll never know. I was actually just interested in the reaction from you." Artemis sighed deeply.

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction," she quoted, and said sweetly, "There, there. If you know all about it already, why ask me?"

"Because…forget it," said Artemis abruptly, "I shall find out eventually. I always get what I want."

"Over my dead body," muttered Alicia.

"If that's what it takes," he answered obligingly. " So who is that young man behind you? He's been looking at me as if I'm some murderer ever since we met and he hasn't even said a word."

"Listen Fowl, while we're doing business, I don't want you even less than a meter away from my sister. Got it?" the words burst out from his mouth in a tumble.

She, in turn, rolled her eyes.

"This is my dear brother R.C. He is sooo over-protective. Even worst than two parents put together. He glares at any boys that even look at me. But I guess he just does that because our own parents obviously don't care." She shrugged.

"Anyway, I think he'd be more than a match for your big giant over there."

"Oh, don't worry, Butler's beaten lots of trolls before," Artemis said coolly. Alicia's eyes blazed at the insult.

"Don't worry about it Lis," spoke the lanky, tanned youth.

"Yes, listen to your brother," mimicked Artemis, "So how old are you anyway? Four? Eight? I'm eighteen."

"I'm sixteen, which isn't that much younger than you at all," she retorted.

"Yes, but still not old enough to vote, go to over-eighteen parties, or drink. Just out of interest, where IS your father?"

Alicia snapped.

"My father is a very important man. He doesn't have time to do everything himself or worry about small trivialities or even take care of us all the time. He is the Setsuna."

Artemis paled even more than usual. Back during his father's crimelord days, he had only answered to one man. And that was the Setsuna. So that was who the Angels were. No wonder they had sounded so familiar.

They threw shielded daggers at one another for some more time before settling down to business.

"Oh yes," said Alicia, "Before I forget, my father has requested that we raise the price a little higher."

"How much higher?" said Artemis suspiciously.

"10 more US."

Artemis thought. 10 thousand more wasn't that much more if you considered what they were getting. And it wasn't as if he couldn't afford it.

"Fine…if I must," he said reluctantly.

Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. Her father hadn't actually told her to raise the price, but she figured she could do with a little extra money in her pocket.

"So, why do you want it so badly?" Alicia asked innocently, though her eyes danced wickedly. She had a feeling she knew what he was after. After all, she hadn't gone without a little research on the Diamond Sceptre.

"That is none of your business," He said, "Where is the artifact anyway?"

"If you mean what bank vault it's in, I'm certainly not going to tell you," She grinned, "I don't think my father would be too happy if you went and stole it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Well how was this chapter? Sorry if it's a bit boring, but I hope the next will be better. Plz keep sending those reviews in!!! I need at least 10 for fuel. By the way, can someone plz tell me wat a Mary Sue ish?^.~