Sorry to hold ya in suspense there! This is the longer one. Okay, read on!
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Chapter 6: Still Walking Down Memory Lane
"Hello, Artemis Fowl, and possibly Butler and Juliet. If you are watching this, then the fairies succeeded in their mind wiping, and I succeeded in foiling their plans yet again. Almost all you remember is a lie. I will explain to you, the truth. On this computer disk are all my research and information containing the Fairy People. I have decided to create an introductory video for you to watch, before you go exploring the disk. I thought it would be easier for you to accept the truth if it came out of your own mouth." The Artemis on-screen gave a small grin, "Our story begins like so, Father is still missing, Mother is quite insane, and you, Artemis, are looking for new ways to create money."
On-screen Artemis frowned as if he did not agree with what he had done.
"Butler and I had retrieved a copy of the Fairy Bible from a Sprite in Egypt. In the Book, it tells of a power restoring ritual that all fairies must complete, or relinquish their powers. It had specific instructions and a specific location so we set off to capture ourselves a fairy. We found Holly Short."
'Images flooded through Artemis' mind. They arranged themselves haphazardly and made his head spin. The images flashed one by one at a quick pace, but Artemis could tell easily what they were. Holly smiling…Holly laughing…Holly angry…Holly flying…Holly…Holly…Holly…Memories and feelings all rushed back to Artemis and he shut his eyes with combined feelings of pain and happiness.'
The on-screen Artemis continued. "The first story goes on, but to keep it brief, we avoided the fairies attacks and beat them at their own game. They had to surrender their gold, and we gave them Holly back. But our paths would cross yet again, and this time, the fairies came to us. The Russian Mafia contacted me, and taunted me with images of my father. I now had all my hopes confirmed. Father was alive. Obviously, Butler and I planned a rescue mission. However, I knew we would need fairy assistance."
"At the same time, something was brewing down in Haven. A group of goblins, the B'wa Kell, were trading with humans. The fairies suspected that I was the culprit. We had a meeting and came up with a compromise. I would help the fairies, and they would help me."
'Artemis saw himself, Holly, Butler and two other faeries in a room, negotiating.
"Very well." Artemis said, "I shall guess. There are humans trading with the Lower Elements. And you need Butler to track these merchants down. Close enough? But…"
Artemis saw Holly glare at him.
"But?" asked the other fairy. Commander Julius Root, Artemis remembered.
"But if you want my help I will require something in return…"'
"It was a very dangerous mission." On-screen Artemis continued, "We all could have died. I did things that I never thought I would do. I showed feelings that I never knew I could feel. I learned to respect people." On-screen Artemis looked very seriously into Real Artemis' eyes. "Already, you must be remembering. What do you see?"
'What do you see? Artemis saw many things and remembered many more. His mind was swirling around, a sea of images and emotions came to Artemis at random. One minute he felt like laughing, the next, crying, and then, screaming with anger. A centaur wearing a tin foil hat…a beetroot coloured pixie...trudging through mountains of snow…running, jumping, falling…a train…wind blowing hard in his face…his eyes were watering from cold…Holly's face, drawn and serious…suddenly the train gives a jolt and they fall back…Artemis is in pain…blue lights sparkle crazily and he is soon unharmed…but Holly is hurt and has no magic to save herself…Artemis' stomach lurches and guilt takes over, it is all his fault...
What do you see? Holly lying in the snow, Artemis' plan to save her in action…the blue sparks enclose her body in a blue sheen…the moment of anticipation…Artemis felt nervous and uneasy...would she be alright? Holly was screaming, her legs began to jerk...every pore began to steam, she thrashed and kicked…a mist surrounded her...only her hand was visible, a blue blur…suddenly she froze…
Artemis stepped forward and Holly bolted upright, gulping air…Artemis grabbed her shoulders…
"Holly. Holly, speak to me. Your finger. Is it okay?"
"I think so" Artemis gave a little gasp as she curled her fingers into a fist and whacked him between the eyes. He landed face down in the snow. Holly winked at Butler. "Now we're even."'
Artemis grabbed his head in his hands and whimpered with pain. Old memories that his brain had invented were being replaced by the true memories. In his mind, Artemis screamed in agony. All he knew was a lie. Everything he had believed to be the truth was false.
'More memories…Butler was dead…it was all Artemis' fault…why did he keep hurting people? He called for Holly…more blue sparks…Butler would live…but there were dire consequences…Haven was in danger of being discovered…and it was all Artemis' fault…it was always Artemis' fault…he wanted to scream his apologies to the world, he wanted them all to know the guilt he felt…but he couldn't, he was unable…no one would ever know his true feelings…'
How could he believe in anything ever again?
Everything was a lie.
His mind was fighting, fighting to discard the truths that struggled to enter his mind.
"Leave me alone!" Artemis shouted furiously, "What…is…happening to me?" He slid of the chair and onto his knees on the carpeted floor.
'"Aurum potestas est. Gold is power."
"No!" he was screaming, "I have no need for money! I do not want it!"
"Take it, Artemis. Take it all. The world is your oyster, waiting to be exploited."
"I have no need to be a criminal anymore." He screamed, "I have all that I need to be happy. I have a family who loves me!"
"Love? You do not need love. Forget these frivolous mortals who dare to stand in your way. Embrace your inner greed, your lust for power."
Artemis could feel his strength leaving him. For how much longer could he ignore his gluttony? It tried to force it's way out, tempting him with riches and power. He couldn't last much longer…
'The memories that were fighting to gain entrance into his mind slowly ebbed as his greedy mind pushed them away. The battle between the two consciousnesses raged on within his mind's eye. Images of his father flashed and danced before him.
"Aurum potestas est. Gold is power." One father said with greed in his voice, "Other stocks fall, but gold remains high…"
Another image of his father emerged, a happier, softer image. "…And what about you, Arty? Will you make the journey with me? When the moment comes will you take your chance to be a hero?"
"I-I..." Artemis felt like his head was about to explode; the vein in his temple throbbed angrily, the blood rushing around his body with a roar like the ocean. Did he need billions of dollars? No, he didn't. "I will! I will take my chance!"
His greedy mind gave a final attack but it was no use…the new memories came in at a rush so fast; his mind was a blur…the new Artemis was winning…he was taking his chance…'
Artemis fell to the ground, his body convulsed, kicking and screaming as his mind fought a dangerous battle. Tears were streaming freely down his face. Finally, his mind gave one last thrust…and his consciousness clicked over…
Artemis had his memories back. All of them.
Exhausted and battered, Artemis passed out, his vision dissolving into blackness…