Chapter Six: A dying spark

Disclaimer: Still and never shall, never will, and never owned Artemis Fowl. Curse you Colfer!

A/N: This is a bit dark portion of the story, mainly the reason why I deemed it anguish. Please be mature and patient. Somehow it'll come through...

Opal leaned casually against the wall, eyes glittering maliciously. Her people, their world, and their will, would soon succumb to hers, and her revenge would be at last sated from the stench Cudgeon had left. Cudgeon, she thought bitterly, with hatred unfathomable to many. Cudgeon, the one who had abused her trust, trifled with arts not yet meant to be, and had used her for his own benefit. Never did he look back, never to see her pain, only to see her tears which he created with immense satisfaction.

Because of his twisted lies, her own people had betrayed her, who'd rather believe in their secure world, ignorant of all that went beneath and above it. Their "Haven" was suitably named, but because of this they were weak, and easily controlled. They had refused her innocence, mistook the lies for truths, and belittled her protests. They were perfect for control.

True, she didn't realize the cataclysm until late, but that was her redemption for the sins to be committed. This is what Koboi reasoned, though secretly, it was not true. Such a minute desire, not even she herself acknowledged it. It was the yearning for another life, to begin anew. Oh, what would it be like? The simple routines, peaceful harmony, luxury beyond her wildest dreams! All possible, thanks to Artemis.

He had ignited the flame within her. Intelligent, resentful, and resolved; a creature born of neglect stood in the midst. Cudgeon had departed, to continue forth his journey, and Koboi had stepped in his place, prepared to wage an all out war on those that had scorned in her face. Her fancy would become law, her dreams; a reality. She had not a second thought of queen, but a goddess of her new world, with Artemis at her right hand. She paused in thought. He did not wish to be involved, for once he was, no is, for once he is innocent of his actions, yet he did not know what they became. Koboi knew, she knew of her pain and pity for him, she could envision his friends falling just out of reach, the tears shed that tragic morn'. The tears of blood...

Near the Warf

Holly glanced behind her in dismay. The entire squad, led by the notorious Captain Kelp, were closely following in formation, keenly awaiting their commands. Determination and intent was long past consideration as she watched them jab elbows into each others side, jeering at inappropriate jokes. Worst of all was Chix Verbil, who had just recently taken a fallen officers rank, was horridly flexing his puny arm in a vain attempt to impress her. Such idiocy, she thought, How ever did he become LEP? Perhaps by default? Possibly, but more likely because of ... no, wait. Yes, probably by default.

Trouble's face held a mask of concern. "Holly, what's wrong?" Lately, she seemed to be spiteful, not a trait he was use to seeing.

Chix leered. "Say Holly, what's 'troubling' you?" The squad fell prey to fits of laughter.

She felt her eyebrow twitch, laden with irritation. Not desiring to throw her temper, she said softly, "I'm going to fly ahead." Away from the idiots.

Verbil mouthed a small gasp, forming a perfect 'o'. "Don't Holly; it'll be too much 'trouble'. Her response was an extra burst of speed. "'Troublesome' girl. Doesn't recognize worry until it slaps her." She couldn't help but agree with him. But making it into a game to see who can say 'trouble' the most often, in honor of the distraught captain, was too much to bear. Trouble, who had long since given up, was trying none too successfully to send Chix a message of agitation through a series of glares, which Chix became oblivious of shortly afterwards.

I'm sick of the lack in intelligence in the small cluster that claimed themselves worthy of LEP, Holly thought. That's all, nothing more. No, I'm not angry, just in a group of deranged drabble. How can anyone not be angry? But no, I've already said I'm not angry. Not angry at all. (And failing at it too.) A strangled noise emitted from her throat in her frustration. Not at all was she prepared for viruses. The academy conveniently never covered it.

Tired, worn, and thoroughly edged, the squad felt her wrath radiating to even their small minds. Captain Kelp, unlike the others, was regarding Holly with curiosity instead of distaste. She felt some sanity there, but she yearned for something higher, whose respect and approve would not come so easily. Her thoughts began to stray, eyes becoming distant, gazing too far to see. The moment passed, and the looming form that was the warehouse stood chiefly in her vision. The time had come, and the academy had definitely not prepared her for this.


Holly felt her breath stolen; body rigid from shock. Her mouth was slightly agape, uttering a silent scream that would never be voiced. Standing in the doorway, only the breeze stirred relentless in its wake whilst whispering into the room before her. Needles and utensils for some unknown purpose adorned the walls, some resembling hoes, others forks. Each recently used it seemed, which caused bile to rise in her throat. Pulling her stare away, she noticed a 'thing' lumped in the corner, barely resembling a human structure, a body. Crimson color abounded throughout the room, surrounding her, unsettling her; confining her.

Trouble stood beside her, gawking at the ghastly scene that looked like a murder. It probably was which disgusted him even further. When will this tragedy end? Short seemed no better off, and worse was his team. Holly caught his eye; she preferred to look at him instead of the room they were enclosed in. He weakly tried to smile, turning out to be a feeble one at best. Nevertheless, it had a soothing effect on Holly, enabling her to react to the situation other than gawk. Trouble, on the other hand, was content to have her do as she will.

"Get Foaly on the line. We need medical attention immediately, and possibly backup. Secure the perimeter, watch for any suspects or suspicious activity. Now." The squad, relieved to have a distraction, set to work before she finished speaking. As much as she was reluctant to do so, she strayed towards the body in low hopes of discovering anything positive about it. More bad news, every step she took. It appalled her how much she wished to be at home, in her snug, quiet apartment, hugging the covers of her bed around her in a deep sleep until this nightmare left.

She reached for the figures arm, finding it a deathly white, limp in her palm. She tugged hard, curiosity overcoming unbidden fear. A glint of recognition crossed her dulling features, wiped of all emotion. There were the cold eyes that haunted her sleep, vacant in the pallor. Lifeless. An urge for an involuntary sob jarred her nerves, her own eyes threatening to spill. How can it be you? Why, Artemis?

She had felt so angry with her comrades not so long ago, malicious in her seething rage. Now, it did not seem to matter so much; life is such a short thing. Short, like her. A laugh resounded in her throat, ill- timed humor cheering her little, though the moment was quickly spent after another glance to Artemis.

"Captain! We've got contact to Foaly. It's urgent he speak with you."

Transferring the micro-inventions, she held the small iris-cam, almost reluctant to bestow her burden upon Foaly. He had been a good friend to her. No-one deserved to see this. With a sigh, she slipped it into her eye, watering for only a second. Captains must obey protocol, however cruel it may be. With another sigh, she blinked twice to activate it, squeezing her eyes shut on the second.

"Holly, he won't be able to see that way." Trouble stated. Holly cracked open a lid.

"I know." A mercy in the iris-cam is that she couldn't perceive the beholder, sparing her Foaly's reaction. But she could hear him.

"Gods." That was not a good sign, Foaly was not known for being religious. "Root!" Oh no, now the commander? And he didn't even call him Julius.

"Spare me the drama, pony. What?"

"Fowl."

Root would have bellowed if he didn't believe it. So he tossed his head in skepticism. "Impossible."

"Okay, then his twin." Holly could've swooned in relief. Foaly's humor had finally returned, healing her of the void that had filled her with emptiness.

"It can't be Artemis; he's too smart for such a ploy." Short couldn't have agreed more.

"A victim nevertheless."

A silence filled the room which seemed to be expanding by the minute. "Artemis is different. He-, he would've done something, not just stand there." Holly whispered.

"Sitting, really. Looks as if he was bound and gagged." Foaly replied.

"Hopefully not tortured either." Root blunted.

"People!" Trouble barked. "This isn't helping. If there's any way he could be revived it isn't what we're doing now."

"He's dead." Chix retorted. Root felt like demoting him, but they were too short of hands. Neither could he correct him, for there just wasn't any evidence opposing it. Holly did it for him anyway.

"What makes you think that?"

He gawked at her. "I dunno. The blood was a hint?"

"You're saying you've more experience than me?"

Chix had no reply. After all, Holly had no family without a reason. She had bore witness to each death. Her mother and father had died in their sleep from the disease, brother in a shuttle accident, her sister currently residing in the hospital. Even rumors had gone round that it would be a mercy to 'put her to sleep.' Responding would be of no option for Chix.

"It's fine." She screwed her features. "He's fine. The footage I've sent to Foaly proves it."

"About that..." Foaly said uneasily.

Her eyes dared him to argue. "If the footage was correct, Fowl has a chance. I-, I think I know what it is."

"The virus?"

"Ever hear of black magic?"