Chapter 1
Artemis did not remember everything, far from it. But, how was he to know that? Mostly what he remembered was Gnommish and the original kidnapping. Of course, what more did he need to know?
Finally, he walked into the study. His eyes were sore, but eighteen hours of sleep could do that to a person. The room was just the same as it had been before, save for a new desk Artemis Senor had put in there. Butler was already there, firing up the computers.
"Shut them down, Butler. I need quiet for this."
"All of them?" Butler asked, glancing at the back wall. Then he blinked. Why wouldn't they all be shut down? And why had he looked at the back wall? There wasn't anything back there save a blank screen.
Artemis looked at Butler, and there was an odd expression on his face. One that Butler had never seen before on his Charge. It looked like... confusion.
Artemis had expected Butler to say that, even though it had made utterly no sense. But, in less than a second, he was himself again. "Yes, Butler. All of them."
Butler resisted the urge to rest a hand on Artemis's shoulder, and instead shook himself mentally, shutting down the computers. Artemis rubbed his hands together and smiled. It was time to do what he did best. Plot dasterdly deeds.
Site 57
Holly's thoughts began a gradual desend towards Artemis. Poor Artemis. Normally you only had to check a mind wipe victim once a month, but his just wasn't holding very well. According to Foaly, Artemis's mind worked more with association than other people. There wasn't much to be done for him, than to make sure that the mind wipe held. He was slowly going mad, trying to remember what was so important about this or that, but his wipe was holding. Barely. Eventually, he'd either go completely insane, or the mind wipe would break. Holly didn't know which she wanted less. Although, she secretey hoped that Artemis would remember everything. For some reason, missing someone just wasn't as bad as missing them and knowing that they can't miss you back. They they had forgotten about you.
Fowl Manor
Artemis finished briefing the Butlers on his plan. He had a feeling that he had done this before. Dismissing the feeling as Deja Vu, he asked if they understood. They nodded.
Now, Juliet is going to raise her hand, Artemis thought.
She did.
"Yes?"
"Well, you see, Artemis, the thing is..."
Artemis sighed. "The thing about leprichauns. You know they're not real, don't you?" Artemis muttered as Juliet said it.
"Yes..." Juliet started at Artemis, confused.
Butler spoke up. "Artemis, this doesn't feel right."
Juliet nodded.
After a pause, Artemis spoke. "Don't worry about it. This entire thing is a bit unconventional, and we're all a bit jumpy. Despite this, we will continue with the plan."
Juliet raised her hand again, something none of them were expecting. "Artemis, if this was such a good plan, then why didn't we execute it before?"
The same fact had occured to Artemis, of course, and he had been puzzling over it for a while, now. "Well," he began, "I suppose the People got wind of it, and mind wiped us all before we could."
They accepted it, though none of them believed it, and continued with the plan.
Site 57
Artemis and Butler were squatting rather uncomfortably behind a heat-proof blind Artemis had invented a while back. They had done so for a while, but both Artemis and Butler were certain that this trip would yield results. After a few moments of suffocating silence, a small figure landed by the tree. Artemis gave the thumbs up, and nodded.
Holly landed, and unshielded. She stared at the moon for a moment, then ducked to pick up an acorn. She then felt a breeze as a small projectile whizzed overhead.
Not again! She thought, and turned around. Helmet still on, she turned on the mic, and spoke. "Artemis, I know you're there. Step out from the blind."
Butler took aim, and shot. The small creature ducked at that precise moment, and then turned towards them. "Artemis, I know you're there." It said. "Step out from the blind." Artemis turned towards Butler, and grinned. "You know what to do." He whispered.
A small boy crawled out, seemingly, from nowhere. He smiled, and raised his empty palms. "Where's Butler?" Holly spat. She couldn't believe this was happening again. Then, there was a cold pressure right between her shoulder blades. "Right here." Butler said, then fired. Holly fell to the ground, one thought circling in her head. Not again. Not again. Not agai . . .
Artemis frowned, staring at the helmet. He had pulled a few wires out from inside it, and was now staring at his fist. Butler picked up the girl, stuffing her into a bag. Artemis could have sworn he knew her, and yet, he had never seen a fairy before. Butler laid a hand on his charges shoulder, then they walked off towards the Bently.
On the way back to the manor, Artemis sat next to the bag with the fairy inside it. He sat there, thinking. He wasn't satisfied with the explanation that he had about the plan, that the People had mind-wiped them before they could begin. And how did that fairy know his name? Was he really all that well known? He opened the bag and removed the helmet from the fairies head. When Artemis saw her face, he winced. Another headache was coming. He sighed and closed the bag again, helmet in lap. As soon as Artemis had, the helmet began beeping. He blinked, shrugged, and put it on. From the backseat, Butler heard an audible gasp.