Chapter 1: Reversion
-Fowl Manor-
Artemis Fowl was very pleased with himself indeed. He had finally found out the secret of the lens cameras that were inside his eyes. A ludicrous story, Artemis had to admit. However, it was true. The lens cameras were an invention of a race of subterranean creatures, which had highly advanced technology. Fairies. Butler and Juliet all had scoffed at the idea. What Artemis didn't know was why these fairies were spying on him. They were known to be peaceful creatures. Why would they want to form a conspiracy?
"Arty?" Angeline Fowl's voice echoed throughout the Fowl estate. Artemis quickly turned off his computer. "Yes, Mother?"
"What are you doing, Arty? Not concocting another scheme, are you?"
"No, Mother. I decided to focus on my education."
"Good boy. I'm very proud of you. We're going out for dinner."
Artemis held on to the thought that was bothering him. Was it possible that he himself was a detriment to the fairies? No, he decided, it can't be true. After all, he had never known until today that fairies do actually exist. Later he would contemplate it more deeply. After dinner.
Haven, Lower Elements
"D'Arvit," Foaly swore softly.
Of course he would find out. Of course he would. He had always reminded himself of this fact-of course he would. The Fowl boy is a genius. Foaly had always known that a reversion could always come true, in the least expected moments. However, now that it had actually happened, Foaly couldn't believe it.
Yes, he couldn't believe it, but the truth was that he was glad. Now he would have an excuse to give Artemis his memory, Artemis was truly the only one that ever understood his lectures, and as he was an observant centaur, he knew that Holly was missing him as well. Not mourning for him, as Holly would for a lover, but simply feeling something missing. Like a hole in her heart.
"What's with the swearing, Foaly?" Commander Root asked.
Foaly groaned, but inwardly he was grinning. "Guess who just started a reversion."
Root considered it, and then groaned back and rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I knew this would happen. Artemis is now as malignant as he was when he abducted Holly. What are we going to do?"
"We have to bring his memory back, that's what."
It was Foaly's turn to roll his eyes. "And how, Commander? We destroyed all the evidence of his last two years."
"Don't you have a copy of Fowl's memory?"
"Oh, right. He's going to take one look at my script and recollect everything about us that he ever knew. Artemis isn't that gullible, sir. He'll think we made it up."
Root bit his lip. His face had a tinge of a purple hue. "Contact everyone that was involved in the last Artemis Fowl mission. That means Captain Short and Mulch Diggums.
"Mulch Diggums?" Foaly's eyes widened. "But he's-"
"I know he's in Howler's Peak, Foaly. We'll have to take him out."
"I doubt that he will be much help sir."
"Who knows?" said Root. "Anything is possible."
"Hello?" Holly answered the phone in her house.
"Hi, Holly. It's me," said a voice in the receiver.
"Oh, please, Foaly. I'm a day off, you know. It's not every day that a captain gets to stay home on a weekday."
"I'm sorry, Holly." Foaly replied. "But this is something important. Actually, I think you might like to hear it. I want you here in ten minutes. Capishe?"
Holly sighed. "All right. But if it's not something serious I'm going to rip your tinfoil hat!"
Foaly hung up.
Holly sighed deeply once more. Ever since Artemis had…….gone, she couldn't help but feel a bit down. And now she was asked to come to work on her day off.
Naturally, Holly didn't know the shocking news he would receive when she got there.....
Exactly thirty minutes later, an upset captain and a grinning dwarf were assembled with Foaly and Root.
"What's all the commotion about?" grumbled Holly. "Doesn't a diligent captain like me deserve some rest?"
"Let me guess," said wide-grinning Mulch. "Our former ally Artemis has found us all over again, hasn't he?"
Silence filled the room.
"How did you know?" demanded Root. "You're behind this, aren't you?"
"Relax, Commander," said Mulch, still grinning. "Suspicions are painful. Is there any reason that you'd take me out of my cell, besides anything involving Artemis Fowl?"
"I guess not." Root replied after a moment's hesitation.
"Wait a minute," Holly said. "Are you saying that what Mulch said is true?"
"Basically," Foaly replied.
"Ridiculous!" Holly exploded. "This Mud Boy had two months. Two months. This Fowl boy may be a genius, but this is incredible. I assume he is the viper he was before?"
"Sure." Foaly said. "He changed a lot, I've noticed. He even grew out of his Armani suit. He's now fourteen."
"We'd better bring back his memory before he abducts someone again," Holly muttered. "Especially quicker if he plans to abduct the same fairy being…"
"That's very nice, Holly, but how?"
"That is one child prodigy." Mulch commented.
Mulch was enjoying all this raucous. How could he not? He was just killing time, while the others groaned over the thought of giving Artemis his memory back. Savoring the moment, Mulch cleared his throat.
"I think," he began. "I might be able to help."
"Right," Holly said. "Like you've been corresponding with Artemis or something."
Mulch slowly took out the gold disk. "Remember this?"
Holly recognized it. "That's the coin I gave Fowl when we were at the Arctic. How's that going to help us?"
"Oh no," Mulch droned. "This is no coin. It's actually a laser disk with all of Fowl's previous records."
"What makes you so sure?" Holly scoffed. "That's nonsense. You remember perfectly when I put Artemis under the mesmer. He said that-"
" The storage site was their last hope," Mulch finished Holly's words. "Well, apparently, he lied, because he gave me the medallion and a note. Although I destroyed the evidence."
"The greatest criminal mastermind has outmaneuvered us once again." Root commented sarcastically. "That makes him the first Mud Boy to lie while under the mesmer.
"Exactly," Mulch was grinning again.
"Mulch, give me the disk," Root commanded.
"Oh, I don't think so, Julius." Mulch teased. "I saved all your hides once more, and if you ask me, my cell is getting a bit too dank."
"Are you saying you want to be released-again?"
"Well, I didn't actually say that," Mulch was having fun in vexing Root. "I'm just implying it. There is a difference-"
"Fine!" Root shouted, catching the gibe. "Fine," he muttered more quietly. "You are freed, and we get the disk, Agreed?"
"Agreed." Mulch replied.
"It was a mistake in the first place to mind-wipe him." Foaly said. "We should have known better. Since he's older now, he'd probably have tried something fatal."
"Oh, he sure won't," Holly said, placing the laser disk into the computer. "Once I get his mind back again, we'll be friends like ever."
