A/N: Hello! I am sorry this story has taken so long to update. I know a lot of people have asked me not to discontinue this ill-fated tale, and so I have been waiting for inspiration to strike – and it did. However, I hope this path I am going down is not too clichéd… basically, I have to "return" Artemis' memories (taken away at the end of the Eternity Code) to follow the path I had originally intended to take this story down. When I started this story I hadn't read EC yet, so reading that afterwards threw me a bit. However, I am now well back on track. Hopefully, the reason for Artemis' memories returning will be an original one.

And, of course, to my reviewers:

Indentity99: Thanks!

D'Arvit Tyranny: Good point. I'll try to re-write that chapter when I get the chance. I also loved your idea about a matchmaker. You naughty person, you've let out a whole host of plot-bunnies now… lol.

LazyCat: Book four is coming out? When?! You have to tell me! I NEED more Artemis! Sorry… grins sheepishly.

coolcube: Thanks for your lovely comments! I have no idea when book four is out… ask LazyCat!

mirkwoodmage: Thanks!

La Cramento: Thankyou – both for your kind comments and for giving me the little extra urging I needed to continue! This ones for you!

Disclaimer: Me no own!

Chapter Two

Artemis Fowl the Second glowered balefully at his parents.

"What is it?" He snapped, scowling. "I'm very busy at the moment."

"Now, Arty, don't talk to your father like that." His mother said reproachfully. Artemis raised a single stubborn eyebrow. He opened his mouth to reply cuttingly, but his father got their first.

"It's alright, Angeline. The boy's confused, and angry. He would be – I don't blame him." Now it was Artemis' father's turn to receive a glare. The two adults were lying comfortably on their bed, with Artemis standing awkwardly at the foot of it. Artemis held his father's blue-eyed gaze, so much like his own, for a long moment, before turning away, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"I'm not confused." Artemis muttered beneath his breath, but his father merely smiled knowingly. Artemis scowled, and turned his gaze to the floor. Truth be told, he was confused, not that he'd ever admit it. He'd spent years without his father, carrying on his traditions, only to discover that the man he had once known had changed so much he cared no longer for money, or gold.

Gold...

What was it about that word that clung to him so? It wasn't just the thought of such riches, such power, it was more like a long-forgotten memory…

It mattered little. Artemis shook his head, and looked up at his parents.

"I apologise, father." Artemis said stiffly. "I did not mean to… lose control, like that." Artemis Fowl the First said nothing for a moment, shaking his head in apparent amusement. Artemis bristled slightly. If there was one thing he despised, it was people laughing at him and treating him like a child.

"You are not sorry." His father said simply. "But your apology is appreciated anyway." Artemis shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ok." He replied, doing his best to keep the annoyance out of his voice. "Now, may I go…?"

"No, Arty." It was his mother. "We need to speak with you." Artemis turned to her, ready to fight down to the last moment, but the angry retort died on his lips as he saw the look on his mother's face. She looked… worried? Artemis sighed, before perching uncomfortably on the end of the bed.

"Very well." He sighed. "But make it quick." Artemis' father smiled slightly.

"You make it sound as though you are the adult and we are the children, Arty." He said gently. Once again, Artemis found himself incapable of holding his father's gaze.

I, Artemis…

Why did it always feel as though there was something missing? Why was it that he always woke up searching for something unattainable?

LEP procedure… mind wipe…

Artemis shook his head. Where were all these strange words, thoughts, memories coming from?

"Arty?" It was his mother. "Are you alright?" Artemis shook his head dumbly.

Holly… Captain… Foaly…

It was like a jigsaw puzzle, but a crazy one with only half the pieces and no guide to go by. Artemis stood up shakily.

"I don't feel… all that well…" He muttered, a wave of nausea overtaking him. His father was on his feet, approaching him…

The People.

The two words came to Artemis in a sudden flash of understanding, and with that white, beautiful light, the world faded into darkness as his legs buckled beneath him and he crumpled to the floor.

A/N: Sorry it's so short… I'm going on holiday this afternoon, so it's a bit rushed. Please tell me what you think!