LEP Headquarters
"Sorry I'm late," Athena said, "So, what's this about Foaly?"
"We're waiting for you temporary partner," Foaly replied. He was unhappy because if they'd come earlier Root wouldn't find out about the briefing. Sure, Root instructed him to do it but he didn't have to come. Holly and Grub was an unfortunate plus.
"Where's Holly? And Root? And Grub?" Athena asked again.
"Somewhere," Foaly said, "In the world."
"Okay. I think that's acceptable," Athena said.
"Hello Holly," Foaly greeted when the automatic doors opened. "Where's Grub?"
"Filing a complaint. He has a phobia to dead bodies," Holly replied rolling her eyes, "He accidentally walked into the room where the body was being studied."
"The horror, the horror," a dramatic voice filled the room.
"Grub if you don't stop using that AmpiRing I will personally confiscate it from you," Holly threatened.
Root joined them shortly after. He was flustered and his face which was a deep shade of red was no surprise. All night he went over the reports. The group of deaths must have been caused by a force unleashed by the dwarves was his simple conclusion.
"Where's Fowl?" Root seemed to growl.
"Fowl?" Athena asked, "As in Artemis Fowl."
"You know him?" Root inquired cautiously.
"Of course I do," Athena laughed, "He's nerdo, the son of my mother's client or future business partner."
Root heaved a sigh of relief. "Then where's Fowl?"
"Present," a voice rang in the room. This time it was Artemis Fowl leaning on the wall, "I see my enemy is here. Don't tell me, she was my partner that day." Standing up straight he walked towards a chair and sat down in the only empty chair next to Athena.
"Happy to see me Hawk?" he asked again.
"No," Athena said rather rudely.
"Glad to hear that," Artemis mused over his steepled fingers. A ring tone played continuously which came from Artemis' cell phone, self made.
"Hmm, I never knew you were a fan of Hilary Duff," Athena smiled listening to the mp3 tune of 'So Yesterday.'
"I am not. It's Heather's fault. Who is this Hilary Duff anyway?" Artemis asked. "Hello?" he said questioningly when he received the call.
"Artemis are you particularly fond of the antique 1934 chair?" Mulch asked.
"No."
"Good," Mulch sighed.
"It was a gift from my aunt. Be thankful that my father dislikes it's design but mother-"
"I'll replace it," Mulch assured the amused Artemis
"It's one-of-a-kind Mulch, prepare to empty your savings," Artemis said clicking off the phone before the shocked dwarf could reply.
"Shall we begin the briefing?" Foaly smiled.
"Yes," Artemis said in a bored tone leaning in the comfortable but small chair.
Foaly clicked something on his laptop, a giant projection appeared from the Holo Cube which was plugged into the laptop, "These two dwarves, Dirt and Rock believe they unleashed this menace. And this is the menace that is killing the many of the fairy population."
"There's nothing on the screen," Athena squinted her eyes.
"That's because no one dares go near it," Foaly explained, "It seems to have a mind of its own and shuts down our cameras or nearly any electrical product nearby. The prophecy has been decoded and it was easy to find but now we have to get someone near it."
"May I view the prophecy," Artemis questioned.
"Correction, may we view the prophecy," Athena said glaring at Artemis.
Foaly chuckled, their case was different from the first. First they were friends now they proclaim each other enemies, "Okay, here you go. Root may be bored reading this. He was poring over the reports all night. Holly and Grub are welcome to read it although it hardly concerns them. It was translated from Greek and I have gone the extra mile to translate it for you.
"You really shouldn't have bothered Foaly," Athena commented turning her attention to the screen in front of her.
A warning sent to those underground,
As soon as this prophecy is found,
Be warned magic will soon be vanquished,
The machine will be beyond fairy logic.
Cannot be seen by the naked eye,
Thinking on its own I do not lie,
Combining itself it will be stronger,
Feeding on magic it will grow in power.
Shrivel and die shall one who uses magic,
All these deaths are sure to be tragic,
Empty their bodies, left with skin,
All the cause of an mud man and elfin sin.
Too stop it there is only one solution,
It's with a special concoction,
None of the fairies shall be able,
To make this solution stable.
But two mud men shall be arriving,
Only they can stop the arising.
Names are something I cannot say,
But they are the only ray.
"Just in case it was misinterpreted. The technology is perfectly within fairy logic. We just can't study it enough to-"
"What was the story?" Athena interrupted although it was obvious. Foaly was someone that would not drive to the point that he could not cease these robots' movements.
"Hlig froze the nanobots he stole from the elf and mud man during the cross species war. He wrote a quick version which was the mini sized version that the dwarves found. Then he went into hiding and the elf was arrested but the ancestor of the little elf killed Hlig after a long time as revenge. The wise man was killed shortly after but then the nanobots were not found. These nanobots are special, they feed-" Foaly said trying to finish his sentence.
"On the fairies' magic," Artemis said completing the sentence, "It also thinks for its own and is very dangerous. Once a fairy performs a single simple spell, the fairy risks dying."
"Show off," Athena muttered.
"Heard that," Artemis responded.
"Don't care,' Athena said.
"Let me finish my sentence you two," Foaly grumbled loudly.
"Fine," the two said in unison although it sounded more of a protest.
"The prophecy clearly states about two mud men. There are no others that know about the fairies which leave only-"
"Me and Artemis," Athena finished.
"And you call me a show off," Artemis commented.
"You are a show off. I only completed the sentence," Athena said sticking out her tongue at him.
"I thought it wasn't possible to be childish at fourteen. Looks like I was wrong," Artemis shrugged.
Athena stuck her tongue out again. It really is possible to be immature at fourteen I suppose. "Well you're going to be wrong more than once."
"I thought they were supposed to be good friends," Holly whispered to Grub.
"Maybe the mind-wipe and the new reintroduction had something to do with it," Grub shrugged. "But since they're supposed to remember each other I think they'd better get along."
"Gee, why didn't I think of that?" Holly said sarcastically.
"Because I'm superior," Grub smirked.
"Say that again and I'll wring your neck."
"I have only been beaten twice in my life and I do not think you can possibly beat me. So, I would say I was only wrong twice whereas you have the potential to be incorrect a million times in your life," Artemis responded in a calm manner while Athena and Holly's anger rose but towards different people.
"Well it's not like you get straight hundreds," Athena snorted.
"That I do. I have only received a 99 once."
Athena's eyes widened in disbelief, "But that's…"
"Impossible," Artemis finished, "Why no. As for you, I have a feeling that you have received a B once in your life time."
Athena shook her head, "My standard of knowledge is similar to yours. My lowest mark is a 95 which was because of my carelessness."
"Ahem," Root said loudly. "I believe Foaly might want to complete his briefing."
"Commander Root, you are wanted at the Ops Booth," the mechanical voice said.
"Donkey boy I believe you can complete this briefing without me," Root decided, getting up from his seat.
"Hold on it isn't finished yet," Foaly said, "It was programmed to be as polite as I am, so it is waiting for you to finish before it completes its message."
"But you're not po-" Root said, only to be hushed.
"Captain Holly and Grub you are wanted in the office of Trouble Kelp," the mechanical voice continued.
Holly noted a smirk on Artemis' face but never knew why. She and Grub stood to walk towards the exit with Commander Root. Holly had a feeling she forgot something as did her beet root faced commander.
"Well Foaly we are alone. What do you want?" Artemis inquired.
A puzzled expression appeared on Athena's face. "Huh?"
"The computer. It was a set up to evacuate Commander Root and the captains from this room," Artemis explained with a melodramatic sigh.
"You don't have to sigh like that. I know you think I'm dumb," Athena said folding her arms. "If Count Dracula there is right, why do you want us alone?"
"Well, I understand that you know this mission and it's possible dangers," Foaly said, "I wanted to explain the mission to you alone. I didn't want the fairies to panic and knowing the blabbermouth Grub is, it wasn't wise to say it in front of him."
"Why, Foaly, I never knew you were so, so caring," Athena smiled.
Foaly let out the same melodramatic sigh Artemis' heaved earlier, "There's another reason but that shall be known later."
"Well what's the bad news you didn't want them to know?" Athena asked.
"The nanobots, I have studied the nanobots from afar. They're feasting on the fairies' magic stream and I fear that they shall become more intelligent."
"That we do know," Artemis nodded, "What is this terrible news that cannot be said in front of the commander?"
"The prophecy has stated that only two can stabilize this concoction that can temporarily freeze these nanobots. Well the fact is, these nanobots are not a disease."
"He's trying to buy time," Athena frowned.
"For once in my life I can agree with you just don't get used to it." Artemis said in a bored tone. "However, it doesn't matter if he is trying to buy time of not. No need to frown."
"I highly doubt it Dracula, about the agreeing part" Athena smiled, "Foaly get on with whatever you want to tell us then brief us."
"What is a Dracula?" Artemis asked, his eyebrows furrowed together. "I am annoyed by your constant repetition of my supposed name."
"A famous vampire," Athena smiled sweetly.
"Well I do not agree. I am not as pale as I was during my childhood and I believe he should brief us first," Artemis said, changing the current subject.
"Why in the world would I need to buy time if you're wasting time for me?" said Foaly.
"Um, well," Athena began. She tapped the table thinking of a sentence to continue this little debate. Realising she has absolutely nothing to say she obediently kept quiet under Artemis' cold glare.
"Continue Foaly," Artemis urged, "I can hardly wait to learn facts about nanobots that I don't already know."
"Always the unappreciated genius," Foaly muttered. "As I have said earlier these nanobots are not a disease, they are mechanical creatures which by all means dangerous in the fairy world. The solution cannot be concocted by me because I cannot risk getting killed by the nanobots."
"That we know as well," Artemis commented in a bored tone. Casting a sideways glance he added in surprise, "Where is Athena?"
Sighing once more, Foaly rapped on the table, which was replied by a thud. Most likely the sound of Athena's head meeting the table. "Ouch," said a voice, "No need to startle me."
Artemis bent to look under the table, "What are you doing under the table?"
"I dropped something," Athena smiled weakly. "Blame my loose bracelet it's always slipping off."
"Why the sudden interest of the floor?" Foaly rattled. "Somehow you manage to lose a dozen things in a minute."
"Wait a sec, I think I've got it," Athena said groping around the shadowy floor. "Here it is." She held up a medallion the size of a coin held by a thin string. Ignoring Foaly she added, "Have you been hanging out with Root or something? You seem to be really impatient," she said pocketing the medallion bracelet instead of wearing it on her wrist once more.
"No one appreciates a genius," Foaly said again shaking his head. "You two, and I mean you two although it seems that both of you hate each other, have to find this solution, deactivate this disease like nanobots and save the day. You know the drill."
"Save the day? Me?" Athena said disbelievingly. Laughing she added, "You cannot be serious. Inventing I can do, saving the day I can't. Foaly please recall the time you sent me to save a troll from being found out by humans because I was the only one who knew how to work the Whirl."
Foaly grimaced. "It wasn't the smartest idea I admit, but the troll was captured in the end."
"After you sent in the Retrieval squad," Athena mumbled.
"And the Council thought human contacts would be a good idea," Artemis said his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Be happy that you managed to keep your memory of fairies," Foaly retorted.
"Gee, does the situation have to be so tense," Athena said.
"No," Foaly and Artemis said in unison.
"It was your fault," Artemis added.
"Fine blame the girl," Athena said throwing her hands up in the air.
"Definitely a good time to switch their bodies," Foaly decided silently. "Might bring them closer together instead of quarrelling like this they might protest but-"
Artemis stood up, "Foaly if that is all you have to say, I must leave now. An impressionist painting which I have stolen is in need of a duplicate."
Foaly's face showed a slight panicky look. "No, no, no Artemis. I have not finished about your equipment."
Artemis frowned, he sat down once more and set a bored look on his face for the possible drone about the equipment. Athena's not so observant eyes didn't even notice Foaly reaching under his desk and pressing the button.
Once again, the mud men noticed nothing. "Typical mud men," Foaly smiled silently. A helmet like object lowered quickly and sleeping gas was shot out of the helmet. Instant unconsciousness soon followed. Lowering, further blinding flashes of light could be seen as the helmets attached themselves to Artemis and Athena's cranium.
The procedure of switching seemed to happen in just a few seconds. Foaly shielded his eyes and was suddenly thankful that he had disabled the cameras in the room. The flashing light soon stopped. Foaly glanced at his watch, Artemis and Athena were supposed to wake up by now. Instant unconsciousness and consciousness was guaranteed after the switch.
"Are you alright?" Foaly asked haltingly.
Artemis' eyes fluttered open, "Foaly, what just happened?"
Foaly frowned there was no way to tell whether it had worked but it was a Foaly creation, it had to work.
Athena's stood upright all of a sudden, "Foaly, what just happened?"
"Whoa déjà vu," Foaly murmured.
Artemis shrieked, or technically it was Athena. "What am I doing there?" the voice said pointing a polished finger at Athena.
"I have a feeling this was the machine Foaly was working on," Artemis who now inhabited Athena's body said.
"YES!" Foaly yelled. "Sorry, late reaction. My mind switcher worked."
"Well, reverse it now," Artemis said holding Foaly up then dropping him down again. It was a little out of character for Artemis but since it was actually Athena I think we can excuse that.
"Ouch," Athena who was still in Artemis' body squealed, "Artemis you are such a weakling."
"Well I suggest you do not do that to my body," Artemis said folding his arms.
"I don't even want your stinkin' body," Athena said motioning to the un-athletic body of Artemis'.
"I'll have you know I take baths and used cologne several times," Artemis said.
Athena rolled her eyes. "Foaly switch us back right now or you'll never see the light of day again."
Foaly laughed. "You know what, that's hilarious. You can't possibly trash me in Artemis' body and Artemis in your body is helpless."
"Then I'll get Libra to trash you if that's the last thing I do," Athena said bending her fingers into a fist.
"Fine, fine," Foaly mumbled. "It was a prank anyway. Sit back down, I suppose there's no more need of the sleeping gas."
"Well you seem to be the only one laughing," Artemis commented.
"And if this doesn't work I'll kill you," Athena said menacingly.
"Are you always this vicious?" Artemis asked raising an eyebrow.
"Not really but if it involves getting stuck in a weakling's body I can be very menacing," Athena said dangerously as she sat down on the small chair. "Now sit down."
"I am not a servant to be given orders to," Artemis smirked as he sat down. In truth he was scared of what kind of strength Athena could muster up from his body.
"Okay, switching commencing," Foaly said. He pushed the button beneath the table and nothing happened. "Uh-oh."
"That had better not be an 'uh-oh' I hear Foaly," Athena said cautiously. She seriously didn't want to be stuck in a boy's body. If this was one of Foaly's tricks she wanted to punch him in the face for all she cared.
Artemis sighed and rolled his eyes, "Please Foaly, enough of the dramatics."
"I mean it," Foaly said, "it isn't working."
"Let me have a look at that machine," Athena offered. "Enough with the desk disguise. I can't believe I didn't notice that."
The desk unfolded at the flick of a switch, a machine with blinking lights was soon in sight. Flipping the switch of the machine so that she wouldn't get any electric shocks, Athena unscrewed the bottom of the machine with a magnetic screwdriver.
"Foaly do you happen to have a S8294?" Athena asked.
"No, you have to get it all the way from Phnom Penh," Foaly said.
"You have super fast chutes. There should be no problem," Athena said.
"Not exactly," Artemis interrupted, still having a leisure time on the chair examining Athena's chewed nails. "You really have to go for a manicure sometime Athena."
"Gee, ya' think," Athena scowled. "Why is it a 'not exactly'?"
"The S8294 is a special component, specially manufactured and very expensive so it isn't exactly mass produced. It isn't the question of location but to create the S8294 you need at least a week," Artemis said calmly.
"A WEEK!" Athena exclaimed. "Why are you so dead calm about this?"
"I have been trained never to show expression even in time of great problems although this is cruel and unusual punishment," Artemis sighed again. "We do only have one person to blame though, Foaly."
Athena would have blown up again but instead she mustered up the strength in Artemis' body, picked Foaly up and tried dumping him into the fairy trash can which actually is programmed to recycle and compact any objects which could not be recycled. She was indeed in a very violent mood.
"Very interesting punishment," Artemis smirked watching Foaly struggle to stay out of the large can.
"Deserved it," Athena shrugged.
"I don't remember having enough strength to ever do that," Artemis smirked.
"All you need is the proper motivation," Athena smirked back.
Doors opened and a figure stood at the doorway, an angry figure that is, "Foaly, you had better have a good reason to why we walked into Trouble's office and-" Holly began.
"Found that he never asked for us," Grub said.
"Do not complete my sentences," Holly nearly shouted.
Another face appeared as the doors opened and even that wasn't a happy face. "FOALY!" the voice boomed. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS? I WAS NEVER NEEDED IN THE OPS BOOTH!" Root was truly angry at such an embarrassment especially since Vinyanya was there as well. His voice even sounded like a clap of thunder, if everyone was like him megaphones would be obsolete but then again we wouldn't get any peace and quiet.
Athena stood up, hands on her hips or technically Artemis' hips. Suddenly remembering that Artemis would never do such a thing folded them and broke out in the best vampire grin she could manage. "Why commander," she began, "there's no need to alert those that do not know."
"Root scowled, "Mud boy do not INTERRUPT ME!" he ended in a roar.
Athena hid a smile, so she could act pretty well, hopefully Artemis followed the act as well.
Artemis rolled his eyes.
"Where's Foaly anyway?" Holly asked suspiciously.
"Did you kill him?" Grub asked. "If so what did he do?"
Foaly was suddenly caught in between. It was either be killed by a trash can or being killed by three LEPrecon officers. "Here," he squeaked.
The beetroot faced commander turned a deep purple. "FOR FROND'S SAKE FOALY WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE TRASHC 2.0?" he roared at the still struggling Foaly.
"I wasn't in the mood to rescue him," Artemis said in Athena's perky voice.
Athena refrained from a scowl. "I do not talk like that," she whispered fiercely into his ear.
"Well I don't speak like that either," Artemis smirked.
"We'll see," whispered Athena.
As much as Holly, Grub and Root didn't want to they pulled Foaly out of the trash compactor which spat out part of his tail as a brush.
"Girls," Foaly muttered shaking his head and holding his now shorter tail.
"Gross," Artemis said, "Who would want to use that?"
Athena smiled satisfactorily. "Now that is how I talk," she whispered.
Thanks teen-author for reviewing. I even had to force myself to type these six pages although I have homework since I wanted to reply you. It's the funniest of the lot, I think and I'm giving you permission to use Athena, I mean who wouldn't want her as a mum. I can't wait to see how you made the whole story. Post the story soon but back to my reviewers and/or readers...REVIEW!