Alright you people, I'm going to be gone for a week. I don't have web access at home, I'm busy finishing the next chapter of my new novel, (and the sequel to this, don't worry) and I probably won't go to the library. It's spring break, so of course there no way for me to update. That's why I'm giving you another chapter so soon.

For all you people who updated so quickly, I love you. (In a non-sick way) It proves you like it, because you've checked for updates so quickly. I must admit, on the sequel to this, which is even better, I'll wait longer and make all of you review. Right now, so long as I get several reviews, I don't care horribly.

I just figured out that any hyperlinks are not shown. (I don't read my own stories, but I thought I would proofread the other day, and noticed it. Now, I'll cleverly but a space before the and the computer won't know.) So, my email adresses (that I'm giving you) are krssjustice yahoo . com, and octoberrivers yahoo . com.

Disclaimer: This isn't really mine, which is fairly depressing, but I'll get over it when one of my novels hits the best-seller list. Hopefully the next one I'm working on.

Ahava: You're sweet! I love Holly/Trouble too. I promise in the sequel, there will be more. (I love coupling them, and I agree, it's very hard to pull off Artemis/Holly, but if they're good enough (AgiVega), I'll read them.) And about Julius, I like protraying him as a mixture of things. In the sequel, you'll be surprised at the things he knows, but the way I tell it, I think it makes sense. Hopefully.

aperfectattitude: Thank you, I'm glad you think so. Actually, that paragraph was thrown in at the very last minute, because I wanted the chapter to be a little longer. I wondered if it was a little too muchprose, but I guess not. Thanks you a lot!

Black Aliss: Thank you, tell me more.

silverfingers: You didn't read this well, did you? (it's quite alright;)) I mentioned in the first paragraph or two, that Artemis was on his own, and he felt guilty about hurting his mother. Obviously, he must be older. In this story, he's about nineteen. (I mention that later) I also said, that he was at his new headquarters in Switzerland. This is his new home, up in an isolated mountain area. Fowl Manor was located (forgive me if I'm wrong, I'll check) west(?) of Dublin, which is the capital of Ireland. Thank you for taking the time to review though, I apreciate it.


It is now time to introduce two more characters of some importance in our story.

Arno Blunt, and Turnball Root.

Turnball Root, was a nasty old man, rather addicted to spiders and other unpleasant things. He especially liked torture.

Arno Blunt is another distasteful subject we are forced to discuss. When he smiled, a rather short-sighted grandmother might have mistaken him for a shark. His teeth were fake, due to a slight accident, and filled with blue oil. You might compare him to a less civilized Butler.

Turnball Root had spent five years in prison, for several things. He had no scruples about killing people, and in fact, rather enjoyed it. The two things he could not stand, however, were his cell, and his brother, who had locked him up in it.

The supposed life sentence became five years, after Turnball killed two prison guards, and disappeared.

To prove how nasty he is, instead of hiding for the rest of his life, he began to plan revenge, on his brother, who had only been doing his duty, as LEP Commander Root.

To help him in his undertakings, he recruited Arno Blunt, who was a human.

Arno Blunt also held a grudge. A grudge against Juliet Butler, sister to Butler, who was a ghost. At eighteen, and still a child, she had neatly deactivated him during a fight that he would never forget. She had defeated him with the swing of a ring; quite literally. Heavy jade rings are more harmful than they appear to be.

Later, it had been said by Pork Belly LaRune on Soldiers for Hire Web site, and quoted, and quoted again:

Arno done got hisself outsmarted by some snot-nosed kid.

Which didn't help from a résumés standpoint.

For five years, ever since he had recovered from his first fright, and broken jail, Arno had faced a dilemma. Would Butler really come back for him? Would he reappear to save his little sister if he tried to get back?

After a long, tormenting delay, Arno decided that he might as well recover what was left of his prestige.

Ghost, or no ghost, Arno Blunt was going to vent his reprisal upon Juliet Butler— that snot-nose kid.

Turnball quickly convinced Arno to help him, promising help with revenge, in return for help with another revenge.

Of course he had not meant it, but when he saw what was happening through the video cams of the LEP helmets he had hacked into from the next island over, he decided to throw it in as a bonus.

He could afford to be generous, now.


Artemis Fowl watched, as one by one, the tiny figures were deposited on the rocky floor of the unfinished basement. The house was old. It's unfinished structure threatened to crumble into dust any day. Artemis Fowl did not need a day. Only a few more hours.

Juliet leaned against a creaking doorframe, wiping off her hands. "That's all."

Artemis pursed his lips. Only eleven. There should be twelve. Who was it?

Julius woke up, almost instantly heaving a gallon of vomit across the floor in Artemis's direction. Juliet quickly leaned down, jabbing his shoulder with a stronger tranquilizer, and lifting his head to the side, away from sickening pool.

Artemis frowned. "Where's Holly, Juliet?"

Juliet glanced at her feet. "I didn't see her. I'm sorry Artemis, I just thought… Can't we just leave her out of this? We've hurt her so many times… why can't—"

Artemis swore elegantly. "If we don't have her, we'll lose. She won't be harmed in any way Juliet. You have my word. It might be too late already. Find her quickly."

He held up a hand as she turned. "And make no hesitation about disarming her. Don't wait to tranquilize her until later either. Right away Juliet. She's a dangerous woman."

Juliet looked away with a sad nod. "Yes sir."


Holly crept along, following the footprints. Human footprints. Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Someone had attacked Julius unseen, and they were now carrying him to somewhere else on the island.

She swallowed. No magic. No weapon. No transportation. Only one person was coming to mind.

Artemis Fowl.

How old would he be now? Almost nineteen. She shivered. Even more dangerous probably. And she had never believed that he would change. Artemis would have spent five years in criminal activity. Perhaps he killed people now, on a regular basis.

That old house in the back of that hill… memories flashed back. Turnball Root. He had escaped four months ago. Was it possible that he could be repeating history—

She cursed herself. She was only making things worse. What she really ought to do was to go back to the shuttle, call for help, find a weapon, and then investigate.

But she wasn't patient right now. And by then, it might be too late.

Something moved in the doorway of the house. Holly froze, aware that a sharp eye might see her. She wished she had a shield— cam-foil. Anything that could help.

The figure disappeared as it stepped through the doorway into the sunlight. Disappeared.

Turnball Root, or Artemis Fowl. Either would have the knowledge and access to cam-foil. It wasn't a shield. A fairy with magic wouldn't be in that house. Unless they were brought there against their will. Which was happening most probably.

Holly shrank back against the limb of the huge maple. The person had probably been sent back out to look for her and the others. Unless the others were already there.

She'd have to assume they were.

Footsteps past her below.


Juliet hurried on, wondering if she ought to shoot Holly down with her tranquilizer gun right off, and apologize later, or if she should tackle her, apologize first, and then knock her out.

But Artemis had told her to shoot first. If she did though, Holly might not understand. If she didn't, Holly'd probably come up with some plan, and get away from her.

She wouldn't be able to go anywhere, or call for help, since Juliet had cut all the wires in the shuttle while visiting Vinyáya and some idiot who'd broken a leg, but Holly was clever.

It could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Artemis Fowl would not tolerate a loss of any kind, in anything.

Juliet glanced back. The house was out of sight. She quickly peeled off the cam-foil, stuffing it into her backpack. That stuff was horrid in this weather.

A noise to the right startled her.

She spun, reaching for her shoulder holster automatically.

Too late. A massive figure slammed into her, driving her to the ground. A detached part of her mind wondered if Julius had felt this way when she had knocked him over.

Julius fought, surprised, for once, to find someone who was her equal in fighting skill. But he had the advantage. He was heavy than her, crushingly so, and after a few minutes of struggle, Juliet was lying with her face in the grass, a knife tickling her uncomfortably.

Juliet made an effort to control her breathing, finally managing to slow it to normal.

The knife flicked in it's owner's hand, nicking the artery on her neck. A slow, crimson stream, trickled over her creamy gold throat.

"So little girl. We meet again. This time I'm ready for you though. And guess what?" The voice laughed gleefully. "I don't see your brother's ghost waiting to attack, do you?"

"Oh gods." Juliet shut her eyes. "Arno Blunt."

"Yes dear," answered Arno indulgently. "It's me, but don't worry. I'm not going to kill you yet. Just play cat and mouse for a while; so you still have time for a nice little cry."

Juliet didn't answer, only began to fight again, arching her back, and kicking him, as he pulled back her hair.

She knew what he was going to do.

It was excepted practice, in circles of higher experts, to mark a vanquished enemy who you weren't going to kill. Most every bodyguard and fighter had them. Juliet had sworn that it would never happen to her.

Blunt pressed his jacket over her face, half smothering her. "Hold still, or I'll hurt you."

Juliet finally stopped, for lack of air, knowing she was defeated.

Slowly, with painstaking care, Arno carved out his symbol in the back of her neck, slicing away the skin, so that it would leave a scar.

When he was done, he slapped on a quick hardening putty substance. Not because he care if it hurt, but because if it got infected, the symbol would blur over.

He shot her with her own tranquilizer gun.


I hope you're curious people. If not, I'm ashamed to call myself an author. Please review this. Once again, I won't be able to update for a week, but I'll try to publish two chapters next Monday. Thank you for actually reading this. Email me if you want, I would love to hear from you, and I promise I'll write back. My adress is at the top of the page in italics, if you don't bother to read it. Now, review this chapter!;)

P.S. I've checked everything in here, and it's all right, except for the fact that I made up the part about Arno carving his symbol in the back of Juliet's neck. I have no clue if that happens, but there's no reason it shouldn't. This story will probably contradict everything in the "Opal Deception", but you know what? I don't mind. Everyone still thinks it's a good story, and if you don't tell me why, so I can change it if it's reasonable.