Right-o! Sorry this has taken me forever; I've been so busy. I'd recommend that you re-read what has happened so far as I've tried to edit bits and pieces.

Thankyou all for reviewing!! I like to get constructive criticisms, as some of you have given me. What I really need is a beta reader but I have no one to give my story to so they can edit it. So please, be patient with my errors, (I don't notice they're there! I've read over it too many times!) and point them out to me where you can.

But can we all remember to use the "sandwich method" of constructive criticisms: a complement, a criticism, and a closing complement. Because sometimes a harmless criticism can sound tactless, especially when all you see is typed and not said to your face. Sarcasm when you don't know how it is spoken can be very upsetting.

Anyway, just a short chapter! It's all bits and pieces from each part of the story, the loose ends that need to be tied up. This chapter may be a little confusing as I switch back and forth quite a bit. And I don't really tell you exactly what's going on. If you have questions them by all means, go ahead and ask me! Everything will be cleared up in the next two chapters, so don't worry.

I don't own Artemis Fowl, much to my disgust (pouts)

Just you wait, I'll own it one day, I'LL OWN IT ALL!! laughs manically Mwahahaha! Mwahahahaha! Mwahaha-cough-choke-GASP! (holds throat and speaks painfully) Please read and review…

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Chapter 3: Disappearance

Fowl Manor, Dublin, Ireland

The fairies weren't the only ones who were bored.

Butler, Artemis'…butler… was also going mad; pull out your hair crazy at the lack of things to do. At least he would, if he had any hair.

With Artemis at school where Butler couldn't follow, (he'd tried, many times, but the Headmaster had told him to leave. Politely.) Butler had been spending as much time he could in the gym. Ever since the day he had woken up with the strange contact lenses he had been different. On the outside, it was as if nothing had changed. But on the inside, Butler felt at least ten years older.

There was a knife embedded deep within his chest every time he tried to breathe. Obviously he had gone to seek help from a doctor but he was unable to find the reason of Butler's discomfort. The doctor's only recommendation was for Butler to regularly swim laps in the Fowl indoor pool, and give his lungs a workout.

Already Butler could breathe much easier, and was almost back to his usual stamina. However, he could not shake the weariness from his bones.

Sighing, Butler shuffled to the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea.

St Bartleby's School For Young Gentlemen,
Country Wicklow, Ireland

Artemis calmly opened the door to his bedroom, fighting down the furiousness he was feeling. He climbed up the ladder of the bunk and sat on the edge of the bed. Artemis was well and truly bored to tears. In class he could answer all the questions the teacher cared to ask, and probably had a greater intellect than all of the teachers put together. One teacher had dared to call Artemis, a 'Smart-Alec', and sent him to his room for the rest of the lesson.

Artemis started collecting his things. He could not stand another minute of this stupidity. He was going home.

Butler was sipping his third cup of tea and re-reading "Guns and Ammo" for the forty-fifth time when the telephone rang. He jumped out of his chair and made a dash for the receiver. After fidgeting and waiting for the entire day, maybe perhaps it was time?

"Artemis?" Butler asked hopefully

"Yes, it's me. How did you know?"

Butler smiled. "I didn't know, just hoping." If Artemis was calling, then it must be time to go. Butler missed the young member of the Fowl household that was at the moment, not living with them.

"I am overly tired with this school Butler." Artemis said with a sigh, "I am coming home. Mother and Father will not be back from France for a month, correct?"

"That's right, sir. Your mother is having a nice relaxing time at a French spa."

"I think it's time we made ready for our guest, what do you think?"

Butler cracked his knuckles. "Excellent idea, sir. When should I pick you up?"

"Immediately. We'll go home for a moment to retrieve some supplies then head off. Is the room quite ready for our guest?"

"I made the finishing touches yesterday."

"Good. I'm sure they'll be quite comfortable. I'll see you shortly."

"I'm on my way." Butler said happily and replaced the receiver.

Butler had been looking forward to this day. He had even purchased a calendar so he could mark off the days. Butler whistled a tune as he grabbed the Bentley's car keys.

Holly dived a little lower so that her feet were almost touching the treetops. She checked the locating device on her wrist. To its calculations, Holly was directly above her target. Holly grinned. She had a plan; she would swoop down a little lower through the trees, un-shield and scare the hell out of the runaway elf. Work was fun!

But as Holly prepared to fly down a little further, the locater made a beep to inform her that the target had disappeared. Holly paused in her descent and stared at the locator. Apparently, the girl had disappeared. But that wasn't possible, and Holly knew it. The elf couldn't possible have know she had a locator attached to her, and even if she did, she wouldn't have found it. Something was desperately wrong.

D'arvit. Time to call Foaly.

Location Unknown

Mulch groaned.

He had a pounding headache. For a moment, he was disorientated. What had he just been doing? Ah, that's right. He had just been released into the Mud People 's land. But where was he now? Mulch tried to open his eyes but was greeted to the dark view of a blindfold. He tried to sit up but his hands and ankles were both tied tight with rope and connected to a chair.

Above the chair hung a single ceiling lamp, which illuminated a single circle of light around where Mulch was bound. Outside of the circle was simply blackness. He could not tell how far the rest of the room stretched.

A feeling of growing panic surrounded Mulch. He remembered now, he had been struck in the head with something hard and passed out.

Mulch tried to call for help but there was a gag in his mouth.

D'arvit. He was in a little dilemma, now, wasn't he? In Frond's name, he had only just been released from prison and now he was captured again! Life wasn't fair.

From behind him, Mulch heard a dry laugh.

"Welcome, fairy, to my domain. Do not even think about escaping. Escape would be pointless, as I would simply catch you again."

Mulch began to panic. This person knew he was a fairy…

Mulch tried to speak but the gag muffled all speech.

The voice gave another cold laugh.

There was something nagging at Mulch's memory. He was sure he had met with this individual before. There was something about the way it talked, which sent shivers down Mulch's spine. The voice sounded young, but the way in which they spoke indicated they were far more intelligent than the ordinary youth.

No…it could it be?

Artemis Fowl?