Chapter 2

Artemis gasped. In the helmet, there was a fairy girl, warning his of going to Fowl Manor. Artemis stared as the helmet informed him that one Artemis Fowl, himself, and Butler were an active threat to the people, and was the only human to escape a time-stop.

"Butler," Artemis asked hesitantly. "Have you ever fought with a troll?"

The bodyguard blinked for a moment before answering, "No, Artemis. Why do you ask?"

"According to this helmet warning, you have. And you won."

Butler hesitated.

"No matter." Artemis sighed, removing the helmet.

"But, Artemis," Butler paused.

"I know. For some reason, you seem to remember fighting a troll, yet you remember doing something else at the exact same time, correct?"

Butler nodded.

"Well, I'm certain that we will have all the answers soon enough."

The bodyguard nodded. When Artemis was sure of something, you agreed. No matter how absurd.

Holly awoke tied to a cot, with a human girl, about eighteen years of age, above her. "Juliet." She muttered.

"Why, yes. That is my name. How on Earth did you know?" Juliet fingered her sunglasses.

"I know a lot about you, Juliet Butler. Probably more than you know. Now, please untie me."

Juliet thought about it, then shook her head. "Nope. Artemis needs to give you some orders first."

Holly nodded. She figured this plan would be different from the last. "I see. Juliet, could you get me some fruit and some water? I'm terrible thirsty. Oh, and please make sure that they are washed and purified?"

Juliet blinked. This was not what she had expected. She had been prepared for screaming and yelling, and bed banging. "Umm . . . Sure. I'll have to ask Artemis first, though."

Holly nodded again, closing her eyes. "Thank you, Juliet."

Juliet got up and walked out. Just outside the door, was Artemis, "Oh! Artemis, you startled me. The-"

"Her name is Holly, and yes. Please go get her some water and fruit."

Juliet nodded and scurried off towards the kitchen. Artemis watched her go, then stepped into the cell.

"Captain Holly Short."

"Artemis Fowl." Holly opened her eyes.

"Captain Short, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me?"

"No, not yet. First, I want you to answer a few questions for me. But, first, this is rather uncomfortable. Could you untie me?"

"First, I want you to look at me. I have a few rules. No magic, no leaving this room unless I tell you to personally, no harm to me or anyone else in this house, and no contact with anyone other than me, Juliet, and Butler. Understood?"

Holly nodded.

Artemis sighed, and went to untie the Fairy. She sat up, rubbing the indents in her wrists and ankles left by the ropes. "That was a little harsh, Artemis."

"I'm sorry. Now, what were your questions?"

"That wasn't very sincere sounding."

Artemis sighed, "You sound like my mother. I'm sorry, Captain Short." He said in the most sincere sounding way possible for him, which didn't sound very sincere at all.

"Good enough. First off, I want to know how you found me."

"With The Booke Of The People."

"Which you got how?"

"From my Swiss bank. Someone put it there, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it was me."

Holly nodded. Of course. Foaly only checked the house, his bank accounts would be safe. "Is that the only copy?"

"Yes, for now."

"Alright. Where is it?"

"Holly, eh, Captain Short, I hope you aren't thinking of mind-wiping me. Again. I would consider that mental harm to myself."

Holly groaned. Then smiled. "Alright. You got me, human. What do you want?"

"Answers."

Holly was shocked. The Artemis Fowl, not after gold or anything of equal value? It was preposterous. But, she did have to trust him. For now.

"Alright, then. Ask me."

"Will you answer truthfully?"

Holly blinked. That wasn't an order for her to tell the truth, just a question. "I will, to the best of my knowledge"

Artemis nodded. "Then, Captain Short-"

"You can call me Holly."

"Holly, how do I know your name?"

Holly thought a moment, then felt her chest for her dogtags.

"They are still there, and I haven't touched them. At least, I don't think I've touched them . . ." Once again, that look crossed Artemis's face. Confusion.

Holly sighed. "No, not now you haven't. But, you did. About three years ago. That's how you know my name."

"What happened three years ago?"

"You kidnapped me."

Artemis was stunned. "So . . . I did execute my plan?"

"Yes. And it worked perfectly."

"Why don't I remember?"

"You were mind-wiped just a few months ago."

"Why not sooner?"

"Well, first we couldn't, because you won. Then you helped us, so we couldn't then. And after that, you agreed to it."

Artemis nodded. Then gasped and clenched the sides of his head.

"The real memories are fighting to surface. It could be painful."

Between gasps, Artemis chuckled, "There could be pain?"

Holly smiled, "Just a little."

After a while, Artemis relaxed. He slumped in his chair. "Now, I understand. It was the memories."

"What?"

"Nevermind." Artemis stood up, and walked out, "Remember. No magic, no leaving this room, no contact with the People, and no harm of any sort to anybody in this house, or enters this house." He winked at Holly, then left.

Holly stared at the door. This was not expected. She had planned on telling Artemis whatever he wanted to know, his memories coming back, and then becoming the 'good' Artemis and letting her go. She did not expect his memories to come back, then keep her hostage. Holly groaned and flopped back on the bed. Juliet then walked in, shaking a little. "Hi, Holly. I brought your snacks." She set down a bowl of recently washed fruits and vegetables and a glass of Irish spring water on a collapsible table she had carried in.

"Thank you." Muttered Holly, with a pillow over her head.

"What's wrong?" Juliet asked, sitting down.

"Artemis. That's what's wrong."

Juliet nodded, then began to walk out.

"Wait." Holly said, getting up.

"Yes?"

"What happened to you being a wressler?"

"Oh. I, uh, didn't make it . . . the ref and I had different ideas of what was 'down for the count.'"

Holly nodded, then smiled. "Say, Juliet, do you know what's bothering Artemis?"

She thought a moment, then said, "Well, I know that he's mad at his parents." Juliet lowered her voice, "They don't want him plotting or exploiting anymore."

"So . . . " Holly murmured, "He's bored?"

Juliet nodded. "Is that all?"

"Yes, Juliet. Thank you." Holly flopped back onto the bed. She had the beginnings of a plan.